It was almost a footnote. AirPlay, the audio streaming protocol once known as AirTunes, got just one minute of keynote time last week. But it might end up as the backbone of Apple’s assault on the living room. More »
Of course, this press release from SRS Labs doesn’t actually say Netflix will use its technology to enable surround sound audio on Watch Instantly streams, but when you claim your tools add “easy and seamless” surround sound decoding to Silverlight apps then we have an immediate suggestion as to how they could be put to use. Whether you give any credit to (or have even noticed) the SRS stamp on a bevy of media playing software and hardware, its ubiquity certainly means that interested parties (like, say, Netflix) could be sure the audio would be supported across the multitude of platforms they stream video to. Microsoft and SRS have issued the tools for anyone (even Netflix) to support 5.1 streams just by adding this code to their apps and are demonstrating it at IBC 2010 and on a demo website, all we have to do is sit back and wait for the technology to be implemented. If only we knew of somewhere an upgrade to surround sound on streaming video was in high demand…
Microsoft, SRS team up on surround sound for Silverlight, will this finally bring 5.1 to Netflix? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Here’s an interesting tidbit. Denon‘s admittedly pricey AVR-4311CI — which was introduced in late April — may very well end up being the first major product to gain iTunes AirPlay compatibility retroactively. Yeah, retroactively. According to an updated product listing, the AVR will see a “planned upgrade” in the fall of 2010 that will “provide Apple iTunes AirPlay compatibility [that will let you] stream your favorite music to the AVR-4311CI.” Now, we already knew that Denon was a partner of both Apple and BridgeCo (the enabling company behind AirPlay), but this is first mention of any existing product receiving a simple upgrade (firmware, we’re guessing) that would add support for Apple’s newly touted streaming feature. In other words, this may mean that hundreds, if not thousands, of AirPlay compatible devices are already on the market, and just as soon as Apple and / or BridgeCo green-lights the respective firmware updates, home entertainment systems everywhere may gain support for a protocol that wasn’t even public before last week. Here’s hoping, right?
[Thanks, Ben]
Denon’s AVR-4311CI to gain AirPlay compatibility this fall — that easy, huh? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hands up if you’ve ever heard of BridgeCo. No? Us neither, but that’s about to change following a CNBC report detailing the company’s relationship with Apple. BridgeCo is in the business of embedding its network media processor and software stack into its partners’ audio equipment to enable wireless streaming. Now, according to a CNBC interview with BridgeCo CEO Gene Sheridan, Apple decided sometime last year to make BridgeCo an AirPlay launch partner. As such, any vendor that embeds BridgeCo’s newest tech will be able to accept streaming audio (and its metadata) from an iTunes library or handheld iOS 4.2 device — there’s no mention of video or picture streaming although AirPlay supports both. According to CNBC, audio gear should start arriving with the BridgeCo software in time for the holidays allowing iTunes users to “mix and match their favorite equipment with a common software.” What that means isn’t exactly clear, though BridgeCo does offer the ability to link systems into a distributed home audio network that includes a “party mode” where all speakers are synced to play from a common source. Importantly, according to Sheridan, this is the first time that Apple has opened up its iTunes software to a third party, giving it a glimpse at the source code. Exclusively? That’s the big question.
When Apple announced AirPlay, it listed Denon, Marantz, B&W, JBL, and iHome as “featured” partners. Coincidentally, in a blog post published two days after Apple’s fall music event, BridgeCo listed all of these brands, with the exception of Marantz, as partners of its own. If you’ll recall, the “Made for iPod” licensing program has provided a steady stream of revenue for Apple since 2005. And in the last few years, Apple has relied upon a proprietary authentication chip to authorize device compatibility and to unlock features such as video streaming. Apple undoubtedly seeks similar control over the expected rush of AirPlay-enabled devices in order to ensure a consistent user experience while making a few bucks on every third party accessory sold.
So is BridgeCo the new chip and software behind a “Made for AirPlay” accessory certification program? We can’t say for sure. Sheriden does let on that the Apple deal’s impact is “immense” and should provide more than half of the company’s revenues. Needless to say, the idea of combining systems from multiple brands into a unified whole-home audio network is certainly attractive. Sonos and Squeezebox, your approach to distributed wireless audio is officially on notice.
Update: Computerworld published a second interview with Sheridan this morning that digs a bit deeper into BridgeCo’s capabilities. For example, BridgeCo solutions support Pandora and Rhapsody streaming in addition to 12,000 streaming radio stations. BridgeCo also makes an SDK available to OEMs and developers. Now for the money quote: “The two companies spent the last year working together to develop AirPlay technology.” In other words, BridgeCo is not just an AirPlay licensee, it helped develop the tech. Computerworld also confirms that AirPlay will be licensed similar to “Made for iPod” systems. And with all the speculation and rumor about Apple getting ready to offer its own subscription streaming service once its data center is complete (and contracts signed), it’s easy to see how AirPlay could monetize Apple’s bid to dominate the connected home audio market.
Is BridgeCo the foundation for ‘Made for AirPlay’ Apple accessories? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 08:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Here we go again. Another FCC filing of an unannounced product, this time in the form of Creative’s Sound Blaster Wireless MultiPlay system. We’re looking at a trio of new products including the MultiPlay Transmitter with its USB extension dock, a rather clunky looking Touch Controller (that we’ve seen before) resembling an old Sonos CR100, and Wireless Receiver. The idea here is to attach the transmitter to your PC and install the Creative Music Server software, connect the receiver to a pair of amplified speakers and then control the whole kit with the supplied controller. You can even push the audio out to Creative’s existing wireless speakers or headphones as long as you don’t exceed four devices in total. The transmitter and receivers pair automatically when turned on and you can attach additional audio devices (like an old CD player) for broadcast via a 3.5-mm stereo cable. Creative’s pitching this as a multi-room solution with the ability to setup and then control zones of music throughout your house over a 2.4GHz connection. In other words, don’t expect it to be very robust — not when the user manual explicitly warns: “Refrain from doing large file transfers via the wireless internet or Bluetooth connection while you are streaming music.” Expect it to be cheap though.
Creative Sound Blaster Wireless MultiPlay System untethered from FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We were a bit surprised to find LG’s prototype Windows Phone 7 device for developers, soon to be unveiled officially as the Optimus 7 when released in its production form, hanging out in the wilds of IFA. Nevertheless, there it was, streaming DLNA content to a WiFi enabled TV. LG worked with Microsoft to develop a custom DLNA media sharing capability for its GW910 handset. Just one of the ways hardware partners are able to differentiate themselves on the otherwise locked down Windows Phone 7 platform. It certainly makes sense that LG would play to its strengths in the television industry as it moves to market with the device as early as next month according to our sources. Watch the trick flip-to-TV photo sharing interface in action after the break.
Continue reading LG Optimus 7 Windows Phone 7 prototype flicks photos to TVs, launches October
LG Optimus 7 Windows Phone 7 prototype flicks photos to TVs, launches October originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Whoa, welcome to the new decade SageTV! Nearly two full years after introducing the HD Theater HD200, the aforesaid company is hitting back with the HD Theater 300 — and frankly, the timing couldn’t possibly be worse. Last month, a $149.95 price tag on a no-name streamer may have looked attractive, but with the revised Apple TV and price-adjusted Roku line, we get the feeling this one will be a hard sell. At any rate, this new networked set-top box boasts a non-stackable design, a Toslink optical audio jack, HDMI 1.3 socket, a pair of USB jacks and an Ethernet connector. It also supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA (which means you’re cleared to bitstream to your HDMI 1.3 receiver), but you’ll need to pony up an extra $29.95 for a WiFi dongle. Yeah, bummer. The outfit suggests that you turn this critter into a whole home DVR solution by running SageTV Media Center software alongside of it, but you should probably know that you’ll have some trouble if trying to shove DRM’d content through it. It’s available for pre-order down in the source link if you’re interested.
[Thanks, Tom]
Continue reading SageTV puts $150 HD Theater 300 up for pre-order, breaks down the specifications
SageTV puts $150 HD Theater 300 up for pre-order, breaks down the specifications originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Keepin’ it varied, are we ASUS? Just a few months after we peeked a pair of WirelessHD-equipped laptops at ASUS’ Computex booth, in flies this — news that the company has aligned with Amimon and joined the WHDI Consortium to boot. It’s hard to say if the introduction of the WiCast EW2000 is in direct response to HP’s Wireless TV Connect, but it sure looks mighty similar in practice. The two-piece set connects to a PC via USB (it’s USB powered, too) and to an HDTV via HDMI. Once you’re setup, you can stream 1080p video (including Blu-ray and DRM’d material) straight to your tele with under a millisecond of lag, and better still, you could connect it to an HDMI-equipped set-top box or game console for cordless machine-to-device magic. Mum’s the word on price, but there’s a delightful promo video ready to get you amped up about it just past the break.
Update: ASUS pinged us to say that it’ll ship on September 15th for $199.99. Start saving!
Continue reading ASUS teams with Amimon on WiCast EW2000 1080p streamer
ASUS teams with Amimon on WiCast EW2000 1080p streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sonos owners, like most nerds, have been patiently waiting for three things: jetpacks and flying cars to go mainstream and the Spotify music service to play on their beloved whole home wireless audio system. Of these, only one is being announced today. At this very moment, in this very time, upstart media darlings Spotify and Sonos have announced plans to wed… in Europe. Sorry Yanks. When the free 3.3 Sonos software update finally arrives at the end of September, new and existing Spotify Premium (£9.99 per month) customers living in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK will be able to stream millions of Spotify music tracks throughout their Sonos home network. The deal not only brings Spotify its first global hardware partner, it also brings European Sonos owners up to par with US netizens who’ve long enjoyed streaming subscription services from the likes of Rhapsody and Napster — the latter limited to just the UK and Germany in Europe. Click through the break for a demo and the full press release.
Gallery: Sonos and Spotify press pics
Continue reading Sonos and Spotify join hands to stream sweet sweet music, at last
Sonos and Spotify join hands to stream sweet sweet music, at last originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Steve didn’t mention it during his keynote just now, but in addition to bringing AirPlay music streaming to iOS 4.2 and iTunes 10, Apple’s also opening the tech up to third parties, with a few big names already on board. That means you’ll be able to stream music from iTunes, your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to speaker docks, receivers and stereos from companies like Denon, Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and iHome, complete with song, album, and artist info and album art. That certainly makes the system much more flexible, especially since you can stream to multiple speakers at once — and damn, building a mix-and-match whole-house audio system just got incredibly easy. We’re definitely digging for more info on this and some release dates for compatible gear, we’ll let you know.
[Thanks, Iain]
Apple’s AirPlay music streaming coming to third party speaker docks, receivers, and stereos originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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