VLC plans AirPlay support for Android as app nears 3B downloads
Videolan, developer of the ubiquitous VLC media player, is looking to bake support for Apple's AirPlay protocol into its main app, a move that would allow Android users to stream content to compatible devices like Apple TV.
VLC download counter at CES 2019. | Source: Variety
While a release timeline has yet to be announced, Videolan lead developer Jean-Baptiste Kempf said VLC users might see AirPlay support appear in the player's main app in about a month, reports Variety.
Whether VLC will support AirPlay or the latest AirPlay 2 specification remains unclear. Unveiled at WWDC in 2017 and released nearly a year later, AirPlay 2 is Apple's next-generation wireless streaming protocol that enables synchronized multi-room audio playback and other advanced features.
Adoption of AirPlay 2 has been slow going, with only a handful of major audio hardware manufacturers promising support for the technology. Late last week, however, Samsung in a surprise announcement said it would add both AirPlay 2 and a native iTunes app to certain 2018 and 2019 television models. Major TV makers followed suit at CES, with LG, Sony and Vizio promising AirPlay 2 compatibility in upcoming products.
Demand for Apple's technology could get a boost with integration in apps like VLC, cross-platform software that exposes the protocol to new demographics like Android device users. And for VLC, that audience is substantial.
Kempf said Videolan expects all-time downloads to hit the three billion mark on Friday. He also noted that in addition to AirPlay functionality, the VLC team is researching ways to build a more complete media library system that simplifies the transition from iTunes. That said, the company is not looking to compete with the likes of Plex or Kodi, which offer comprehensive tools for managing large content libraries, according to the report.
VLC download counter at CES 2019. | Source: Variety
While a release timeline has yet to be announced, Videolan lead developer Jean-Baptiste Kempf said VLC users might see AirPlay support appear in the player's main app in about a month, reports Variety.
Whether VLC will support AirPlay or the latest AirPlay 2 specification remains unclear. Unveiled at WWDC in 2017 and released nearly a year later, AirPlay 2 is Apple's next-generation wireless streaming protocol that enables synchronized multi-room audio playback and other advanced features.
Adoption of AirPlay 2 has been slow going, with only a handful of major audio hardware manufacturers promising support for the technology. Late last week, however, Samsung in a surprise announcement said it would add both AirPlay 2 and a native iTunes app to certain 2018 and 2019 television models. Major TV makers followed suit at CES, with LG, Sony and Vizio promising AirPlay 2 compatibility in upcoming products.
Demand for Apple's technology could get a boost with integration in apps like VLC, cross-platform software that exposes the protocol to new demographics like Android device users. And for VLC, that audience is substantial.
Kempf said Videolan expects all-time downloads to hit the three billion mark on Friday. He also noted that in addition to AirPlay functionality, the VLC team is researching ways to build a more complete media library system that simplifies the transition from iTunes. That said, the company is not looking to compete with the likes of Plex or Kodi, which offer comprehensive tools for managing large content libraries, according to the report.
Comments
sandtech.co/2018/05/29/explained-the-differences-between-apple-airplay-2-and-google-cast/
AirPlay seems like something that would be supported at the OS level than the application level. Will TV manufacturers use VLC to gain support for the protocol? Some goes for vehicle infotainment systems...
Is it even possible for VLC on iOS to support Google Cast? My guess is no.
Cross platform compatibility is never a bad thing, but the news is curious. The Apple “walled garden” doesn’t seem quite as high anymore.
https://suitsandtech.co/2018/05/29/explained-the-differences-between-apple-airplay-2-and-google-cast/
I'm not sure if using Airplay in and of itself also creates usage data that flows to Apple or not, nor what controls there are if it does, but I suspect all the settings are within the AppleTV menus. I'm kinda familiar with ATV but not Airplay. I also don't know if VLC gets usage or crash reports from Airplay integration. Could probably look into it if you wanted to.