Inside iOS 11: AirPlay 2 on existing speakers requires firmware update, support for Apple'...
The upcoming launch of AirPlay 2 comes with a caveat: Old hardware will need a firmware update, at the very least, to work with the new protocol. With Apple said to have ceased development on its router products, it's possible that AirPort Express owners using AirPlay could be left in the dust.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June following the beta release of iOS 11. It has been updated and republished for the public launch of iOS 11.
Apple indicated when it announced AirPlay 2 earlier this year that third-party hardware can be updated to support the new AirPlay 2 protocol.
That will eventually include the Apple TV, though the current releases of iOS 11 and tvOS 11 do not yet support AirPlay 2.
In the fine print on Apple's own website, the company notes that a firmware update may not be enough for some devices to support AirPlay 2. In those cases, new hardware could be necessary.
Apple is partnering with major speaker companies for new, upcoming AirPlay 2 devices. Support includes the company's own Beats, as well as Bang and Olufsen, Polk, Denon, Bowers and Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Devialet, Naim, and Bluesound.
What that means for current speakers remains a question mark.
In a post to Facebook, Bose indicated it plans to make AirPlay 2 available for "most" of its current lineup of Wi-Fi enabled speakers, including its SoundTouch lineup. B&W, however, said over the summer that it won't add AirPlay 2 to existing wireless speakers.
In a statement to AppleInsider this summer, Marshall said the company plans to "likely start working on a firmware update" once AirPlay 2 information is released to manufacturers.
Finally, Libratone said on Twitter on Wednesday that they are still waiting on AirPlay 2 code from Apple. The company expects to issue firmware updates "shortly after" Apple provides.
A switch to AirPlay 2 in iOS 11 does not mean the end of support for legacy AirPlay, however. While regular AirPlay devices cannot be added as HomeKit accessories, they'll still work as previously, with an iOS device capable of streaming to one AirPlay speaker at a time.
AirPlay 2 also supports multi-speaker out. Legacy AirPlay speakers support this feature from a Mac, but not from iOS devices.
While the Apple TV will get an AirPlay 2 update, it is unclear whether Apple plans to update its AirPort products to add support for the streaming protocol.
But with multiple reports suggesting that Apple is exiting the Wi-Fi router business, it's possible that the legacy AirPort Express may not receive the necessary firmware update for AirPlay 2. Instead, Apple could use the opportunity to push users to adopt its new $349 HomePod speaker, set to launch this December.
Of course, the HomePod is designed as an all-in-one high-fidelity speaker solution, including beam forming microphones for Siri input. The advantage of the AirPort Express, priced at $99 new, is that it boasts its own digital-to-analog converter, along with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, allowing users to plug in their own speakers and configure AirPlay to their liking.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June following the beta release of iOS 11. It has been updated and republished for the public launch of iOS 11.
Apple indicated when it announced AirPlay 2 earlier this year that third-party hardware can be updated to support the new AirPlay 2 protocol.
That will eventually include the Apple TV, though the current releases of iOS 11 and tvOS 11 do not yet support AirPlay 2.
In the fine print on Apple's own website, the company notes that a firmware update may not be enough for some devices to support AirPlay 2. In those cases, new hardware could be necessary.
Apple is partnering with major speaker companies for new, upcoming AirPlay 2 devices. Support includes the company's own Beats, as well as Bang and Olufsen, Polk, Denon, Bowers and Wilkins, Definitive Technology, Devialet, Naim, and Bluesound.
What that means for current speakers remains a question mark.
In a post to Facebook, Bose indicated it plans to make AirPlay 2 available for "most" of its current lineup of Wi-Fi enabled speakers, including its SoundTouch lineup. B&W, however, said over the summer that it won't add AirPlay 2 to existing wireless speakers.
In a statement to AppleInsider this summer, Marshall said the company plans to "likely start working on a firmware update" once AirPlay 2 information is released to manufacturers.
Finally, Libratone said on Twitter on Wednesday that they are still waiting on AirPlay 2 code from Apple. The company expects to issue firmware updates "shortly after" Apple provides.
A switch to AirPlay 2 in iOS 11 does not mean the end of support for legacy AirPlay, however. While regular AirPlay devices cannot be added as HomeKit accessories, they'll still work as previously, with an iOS device capable of streaming to one AirPlay speaker at a time.
AirPlay 2 also supports multi-speaker out. Legacy AirPlay speakers support this feature from a Mac, but not from iOS devices.
While the Apple TV will get an AirPlay 2 update, it is unclear whether Apple plans to update its AirPort products to add support for the streaming protocol.
But with multiple reports suggesting that Apple is exiting the Wi-Fi router business, it's possible that the legacy AirPort Express may not receive the necessary firmware update for AirPlay 2. Instead, Apple could use the opportunity to push users to adopt its new $349 HomePod speaker, set to launch this December.
Of course, the HomePod is designed as an all-in-one high-fidelity speaker solution, including beam forming microphones for Siri input. The advantage of the AirPort Express, priced at $99 new, is that it boasts its own digital-to-analog converter, along with a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, allowing users to plug in their own speakers and configure AirPlay to their liking.
Comments
"Hey Siri, play Imagine Dragons on my {{ AirPlay device name }}"
Apple only said, "Siri support", which is highly unclear.
Also, while the Homepod may end up being a brilliant sounding device, I have doubts that Apple would imagine that customers with Airport devices hooked up to larger home audio systems would be happy using a Homepod instead. It's a different application.
P.S. Despite rumors from around a year ago that Airport devices weren't just no longer supported by a development team, but that they were actually being discontinued and rapidly becoming unavailable, I will note that they are still very much available and in-stock in your local Apple Store.
I do have a couple of old Apple TV 3s around here somewhere. I'm guessing those will work (as replacements for Airport Express audio) with a firmware update...
What are you talking about? I have Airport utility running on an iPhone and on a MacBook pro, both running under current OS's and both with full function connecting to Airport devices.
The question I have, if you update your iOS devices to 11 and Mac to High Sierra does that mean they are only Airplay 2 compatible. They do will no longer support Airplay 1 devices. If does, this means I not updating since I am not going to replace everything I currently have which only support Airplay and I know the manufacturers are not going to updated their firmware.
I know Apple has no problem leaving old tech in the past, but they usually provide a bridge solution for a period of time. I do not see a reason why they can not support Airplay 1 and 2 devices at the same time and not support new Airplay 2 features on the older devices.
I would like to believe Apple will get lots of flack about this, but I think people will either not upgrade and if they do and find out their old stuff no longer works they will just get new stuff. Since Apple has condition people to do this. You might want to begin selling your old Airplay stuff now before everyone figures out it is worthless going forward.
Seems to me that Apple's apparent decision to not make home wifi network products is short sighted. But it is possible that these products have a lot of competition, have low profitability, and there is the risk that the market is easily saturated. Apple can't really justify them on their standalone economics.
It is also possible they feel the same way about displays.
I like Apple's airports, and use them exclusively. But I've not upgraded to -ac ones simply because I don't need to.
"A switch to AirPlay 2 in iOS 11 does not mean the end of support for legacy AirPlay, however. While regular AirPlay devices cannot be added as HomeKit accessories, they'll still work as previously, with an iOS device capable of streaming to one AirPlay speaker at a time."
http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/04/04/all-new-mac-pro-with-modular-design-apple-branded-pro-displays-coming-in-2018