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Apple Airplay extends the life of the iPhone 4

Posted on July 28th, 2011Yale Holder
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Airplay leads the way in iOS 4.2 update

The iPhone 5 is not out as yet and won’t be in Canada until fall. So if you are about to purchase an iPhone and you want to know whether to wait until the iPhone 5 comes out, well Apple gave you another reason NOT to wait….with AirPlay.

What is AirPlay?

AirPlay allows iOS devices like the iPhone 4 and the iPad to wirelessly share your pictures, your video files, your music with your HDTV, or an audio system or speaker. This gives Apple one edge up on Android as there is nothing equivalent on their platform or any other at this point. Google however, is expected to introduce Android@Home which allows your Android device to speak to any appliance including audio systems, refrigerators, TVs etc, but we are not there as yet.

How does it work?

In order to make AirPlay work however, ensure you have iOS 4.2 installed on your iPhone (reboot after installation) and you will need AppleTV connected to your HDTV or AirPort Express, a Wi-FI router which allows you to print and stream music. It is important to note that both  your Apple TV or your AirPort Express need to be on the same wireless network as your iPhone or iPad for it to work. And the great thing is, Apple makes it simple and easy to use, simply play your video and click on the AirPlay icon and stream. You will have to purchase AppleTV or AirPort Express both retail around $100 each.

 

What’s missing?

AirPlay is cool to begin with, but it would be great if I can turn other iOS devices, like other iPhones or iPads into audio or video streaming devices. Can you imagine the possibilities? I’ve heard that someone found a hack to do just this, but I haven’t tested this myself. In addition, it would be nice to use FaceTime on a large HDTV with the family, but I’ve heard that will be available on iOS 5 to be released with the next iPhone.

Have you tried AirPlay? What was your experience like?

3 comments Cell Phone Tips and Tricks, Cool New Devices, The Cell Phone Blog , ,
  • Simon McNeil

    Unimpressed. If you don’t have next-generation audio-video equipment it won’t matter how communicative your phone is. Also it’s really not a huge inconvenience to plug a device into a dock.

  • Yale Holder

    C’mon sharing with your TV is quite cool. I will give you the audio equipment sharing isn’t that impressive but the TV sharing is.

  • Simon McNeil

    Ok, it’s a little impressive.

    I guess the thing is that I’m not much of a TV person. :)