Updated 08/10/18 : Denon and Marantz are rolling out microcode update to a few of their A / fivesome receivers , adding AirPlay 2 financial backing .
AirPlay has been with us for a retentive time . It ’s an organic evolution of the previous AirTunes communications protocol , which was signify only for euphony . In 2010 , AirTunes got a boniface of newfangled capacity ( music , photos , video ) and a young name . A class later , it get ahead the power to mirror your iOS or Mac screen to a compatible AirPlay receiver . With an Apple TV , you could put your Mac desktop on your PC in the wink of an eye !
The AirPlay symbol you ’ve pick up for years .
You ’ve see the AirPlay logo in XII of apps , often tuck away in the Share menu . If you desire to beam content from your iOS gadget to the Apple TV or a hardening of speakers , it ’s delicious . But it has languished over the last several years , add together no meaningful Modern feature of speech while the rest of the wireless world moved on .
With iOS 11 , Apple is enter AirPlay 2 . This is the first real update to the AirPlay communications protocol in a retentive time , and it seems tailor made to fit Apple ’s ambitions to spread out medium throughout your domicile with Apple TV 4 K and HomePod .
What’s new in AirPlay 2?
AirPlay 2 concentrate on novel audio features for the AirPlay protocol , and for the most part disregard the screen door casting and video playback parts .
AirPlay 2 add multi - room audio and better buffering .
It adds the following key lineament :
Multi - elbow room playback : Apps can send sound recording to several different devices around the house , with playback synced between them .
Enhanced buffering : AirPlay 2 compatible loudspeaker system will do a good job buffering sound to avoid omission and drop .
Multi - twist dominance : When audio is rain buckets to AirPlay 2 devices , it can be controlled via multiple different Apple devices . So you may startle playing message on your iPhone , and then later find fault up your iPad and control playback .
What devices support AirPlay 2?
As far as Apple devices go , AirPlay 2 will work on the iPhone 5s or newer , the iPad Mini 2 or newer , Apple TV ( quaternary gen and 4 special K ) , and any MacBook made in the last 7 years or so .
Some of the speaker sword pledging support for AirPlay 2 .
You ’ll also postulate speakers that support AirPlay 2 . Apple ’s upcoming HomePod does , as will the speaker unit connect to your AppleTV . Third - political party blade will demand to unblock unexampled merchandise or , in some case , update firmware to corroborate AirPlay 2 . Some brand that have announced support include :
Sonos fan can wallow too , as the ship’s company has declare AirPlay 2 documentation starting in 2018 , both on unexampled products and in update to existing products . Sonos has never supported AirPlay before , so that ’s a big turnaround .
Update 08/10/18 : Denon has begun rolling out a microcode update to the AVR - X6500H that lend AirPlay 2 support . Marantz has write out a firmware update for the AV7705 , and possibly a few other fashion model , to add support . Applemaintains a listof loudspeaker system and receiver that have or will get AirPlay 2 support , but it count to be slightly uncompleted , compared to producer ’ announcements .
How do I get it?
You ’ll need more than just AirPlay 2 compatible gear . AirPlay 2 needs to be back up by the OS and apps , too . It was denote as part of iOS 11 , but did n’t make the cut when iOS 11 was first released in September . AirPlay 2 support will come in an update to macOS , tvOS , and iOS — possibly11.2 for iOS and tvOSand 10.13.2 for macOS .
AirPlay 2 requires new machine support or firmware upgrades .
It also need support from app developers . you may enumerate on Apple ’s apps to be updated immediately , but if you favor to make for euphony around the house withSpotifyorAudibleyou’ll demand to wait for an app update . Given the benefits and the relatively scummy complexness of adding financial support , it seems most major apps will in all likelihood update quickly .
What else do I need to know?
If you ’re going to beam music all around the house , you ’ll necessitate to jazz which speakers are where , right ? AirPlay 2 desegregate with HomeKit , so that speaker unit can seize themselves to different room .
This means you could use them in HomeKit ’s Scenes to play audio in addition to conform the lights .
When Apple foretell AirPlay 2 , it usher off a characteristic of Apple Music called “ share Up Next . ” One iOS substance abuser can bet back medicine , but other users in the same location can all contribute to the Up Next call list . This feature of speech will probably show up in Apple Music when AirPlay 2 and HomePod ship .
