audio recording systems that take advantage of Apple ’s new AirPlay feature to wirelessly pelt music throughout your firm are slowly start up to see the twinkle of day .
AirPlay , a feature that debuted with Apple ’s iOS 4.2 and iTunes 10.1 updates , lets you stream music wirelessly — over your local Wi - Fi net — from your Mac or iOS gadget to compatible speaker and home - amusement systems . The feature has been available since November , but aside from Apple ’s ownApple telly 2andAirport Expressunits , system that take advantage of AirPlay have been dumb to issue .
The JBL On atmosphere speaker unit dock was unveiled Monday .
The JBL On Air speaker dock was unveiled Monday.
Harman International jumped into the market on Monday forenoon , provide asneak peep at the JBL - branded On Air Wireless AirPlay loudspeaker sour grass — a circular desktop verbalizer system — to fans ofJBL ’s Facebook pageboy , but provided no information on pricing and availability other than “ Available this spring . ”
Still , the hope of an AirPlay - compatible intersection is a whole tone further than many manufacturers have gone . Here ’s a spry flavor at the state of AirPlay products : what ’s actually on the market , what ’s arrive , and what might be on the horizon .
Currently available
Bowers & Wilkins ( B&W):Bowers & Wilkinsappears to have earned the distinction of First To Ship , as the company hit the market early with itsZeppelin Air , an AirPlay - enable version of the original Zeppelin . The $ 600 audio recording system features five individually powered gadget driver for high - quality sound ; it also sports a traditional dock - connector cradle for iPhones and iPods , as well as a USB connexion for seize digital audio frequency from a computing gadget . The Zeppelin Air is uncommitted for purchase through theApple Store .
The Zeppelin Air is one of the few AirPlay - compatible systems actually on the market place .
Denon : AlthoughDenonhasn’t recently introduced any products that feature AirPlay , the the troupe is offering a $ 50Airplay software package upgradethat brings AirPlay backing tofive of the ware in Denon ’s line of web - quick home audio systems : theRCD - N7 screen background audio system($600 ) and theAVR-991($1000),AVR-3311CI($1200),AVR-4311CI , andAVR - A100 “ Anniversary Edition”($2,500 ) receiver . ( Audiophiles who pelt medicine from their iPad or iPhone will also want to download the detached Denon Remote App for room - to - room control of their music .
The Zeppelin Air is one of the few AirPlay-compatible systems actually on the market.
Marantz : Denon ’s baby company , Marantz , is also offer a $ 50AirPlay software upgradethat add AirPlay capability to two of the company’snetwork - ready components : theAV7005 receiver($1,500 ) and theSR7005 receiver($1,600 ) . Two other AirPlay - compatible components , the $ 700M - CR603 desktop audio systemand the $ 800NA7004 digital music host , will be available before long . A freeremote app is also availablefor these intersection .
On the way
In addition to the JBL On Air , noted above , these AirPlay - enabled product have also been harbinger .
iHome ’s upcoming iW1 practice a modest basis to charge its intragroup battery .
iHome : iHomemade one of the splashy AirPlay announcements , unveiling its forthcomingiW1 AirPlay wireless utterer systemat January’sConsumer Electronics Show . The price of the iW1 , which have a rechargeable battery and an inducive charging base , is expected to be $ 299 , and you may signalise up on the iHome Website to be notified — and to receive an scoop discount”—when the iW1 becomes available .
iHome’s upcoming iW1 uses a small base to charge its internal battery.
iHome also has two less - expensive AirPlay - enable systems in the whole kit and boodle , the iW2 and iW3 . The troupe has provide few detail on these poser , although the iW2 is require to retail for $ 199 , with the iW3 at $ 169 . ( These price may change by the time the ware actually ship . )
House of Marley : House of Marleyis also asking exploiter to register for first dibs on its forthcomingOne Foundationspeaker system . The “ eco - friendly ” product will cost $ 500 , but the party has n’t said when the One Foundation will strike the market .
Klipsch : There ’s a ( scarce ) more - unequivocal escort fromKlipsch , which in Januaryannounced its Klipsch Gallery line , which include a tercet of wireless audio systems : the Gallery Studio , Gallery Forum , and Gallery Arena . Although no pricing information is available , Klipsch promises to transport the raw products in “ spring or summer . ”
Philips’ Fidelio SoundSphere
Philips ’ Fidelio SoundSphere
Prince Philip : Philipshas just announced the Fidelio SoundSphere , a lavishness ( and sumptuousness - priced , at € 799 ) “ life-style ” organization that aggregate a standalone iPhone / iPod dock cradle ( adopted from the company ’s Fidelio melodic line ) , excellent sound character and free - floating tweeter ( based on Philips ’ SoundSphere technology ) , and AirPlay functionality . The organization will be available in Europe starting in May ; no release date has been announce for the U.S ..
Pioneer : This week , Pioneer Electronicsannounced its new consumer AV receivers , and the top - of - the - consumer - line of reasoning , $ 550VSX-1021 - K receiverwill include AirPlay support when it debuts in former April . In addition to playing music , the VSX-1021 - K will also be able-bodied to display song information and embrace prowess on your affiliated telecasting . The company says it will release eight AirPlay - compatible AV receiver in 2011 , most in its elect receiver crease .
Photofast : at last , also reportedly on the view is an AirPlay - compatible system for your car fromPhotoFast . The company has n’t publish detail of the product in the United States , but a number oftechblogsreported on the proposed AP1000 organisation back in November . woefully — for those of us excited by the melodic theme of a reliable , high - quality way to get our iOS audio into our railcar stereo without messy cables — links to PhotoFast ’s product Thomas Nelson Page , as well as to a YouTube picture attest the product , have since disappear .
That might not be too surprising , though — when it comes to AirPlay , there seem to be more ghosts than actual product quick for consumers to buy .
Macworld editors Dan Frakes and Jonathan Seff contributed to this article .
