Belkin plans AirPlay 2-enabled audio adapter
Accessories maker Belkin is working on a wireless audio adapter that supports Apple's AirPlay 2 protocol, potentially offering a worthy successor to the defunct AirPort Express, according to a new leak.
Protocol reporter Janko Roettgers in a tweet presented schematics of the supposed device taken from a Federal Communications Commission filing published earlier in February.
According to the document, Belkin's adapter will be marketed as "SoundForm Connect" and includes support for AirPlay 2. The unit will pipe incoming wireless audio to speakers and other devices via a 3.5mm jack or optical digital audio cable. A USB-C port likely powers the device, though it could also be used convert digital audio signals to analog.
"SoundForm Connect" could be worth a look for users lamenting the demise of Apple's AirPort Express base station, which offered AirPlay 2 streaming through an analog/digital output jack.
Introduced in 2018, AirPlay 2 enables iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices to stream audio to multiple speakers in different rooms. The improvement over first-generation AirPlay also cuts down on audio lag, integrates Siri controls, enhances HomePod functionality and allows users to also sync output throughout a home.
HomeKit integration is a major AirPlay 2 feature that enables device access and control -- including scenes -- from the Home app.
The FCC listing does not mention a release date. Pricing could be around $120, according to retail listings uncovered by Roettgers.
Protocol reporter Janko Roettgers in a tweet presented schematics of the supposed device taken from a Federal Communications Commission filing published earlier in February.
According to the document, Belkin's adapter will be marketed as "SoundForm Connect" and includes support for AirPlay 2. The unit will pipe incoming wireless audio to speakers and other devices via a 3.5mm jack or optical digital audio cable. A USB-C port likely powers the device, though it could also be used convert digital audio signals to analog.
"SoundForm Connect" could be worth a look for users lamenting the demise of Apple's AirPort Express base station, which offered AirPlay 2 streaming through an analog/digital output jack.
Introduced in 2018, AirPlay 2 enables iPhone, iPad, Mac and other devices to stream audio to multiple speakers in different rooms. The improvement over first-generation AirPlay also cuts down on audio lag, integrates Siri controls, enhances HomePod functionality and allows users to also sync output throughout a home.
HomeKit integration is a major AirPlay 2 feature that enables device access and control -- including scenes -- from the Home app.
The FCC listing does not mention a release date. Pricing could be around $120, according to retail listings uncovered by Roettgers.
Comments
I didn’t have much luck. Just links to the old Apple Airport Express.
I have an old generation 3 Apple TV somewhere, too.
If this Belkin thing works, that would be great!
Except an Apple TV has no optical or analog outputs. A lot of traditional or older audio gear will not have an HDMI input.
It amazes me that no one has come up with a replacement. This is good news.
I have both vintage audio and audiophile gear as old as the 80's that still works wonderfully and are arguably superior to the proprietary offerings that manufacturers seem to focus on of late, presumably as a profit strategy, and also have found wifi and bluetooth unfortunately inconsistent in terms of function, even within the Apple Airport Express ecosystem.
Additionally all these proprietary offerings end up reliant on software and support, which is obviously problematic from any number of perspectives, as will be Belkin with what seems much more limited functionality at a higher price than Airport Express...