> The future
of AirPlay 2
Given that deals have been made
with a number of manufacturers,
we can say for certain that Apple
is being a lot more friendly and
open with its streaming protocol.
This means there’s a whole lot
of expansion waiting to happen.
Don’t expect AirPlay to come to
Android phones, but do expect a
growing list of speakers, TVs, and
mixed multimedia devices to
support it in the coming years.AFFORDABLE AIRPLAY
The Apple TV 4K is a perfectly
capable device, but it’s also two
years old — a new version as a
combined Apple TV+ and AirPlay
2 flagship would not be outside
the realms of possibility.
Similarly, the HomePod is not
old, as such, but the demise of
Airport Express may lead Apple
to add a new product in that
sector. A cut-down, audio–only
equivalent to the Apple TV,
perhaps, for upgrading existing
stereo systems? Given that the
price of the HomePod is its one
real detriment, a lower–cost
speaker–free option (perhaps
even incorporating Siri, a la
Amazon’s Echo Connect) may
be a perfect driver to further
AirPlay 2 adoption.Could Apple follow Amazon’s lead and
make AirPlay anywhere a sales driver?AirPlay 2 can bring
you tunes just
about anywhere
in the home.