AirPlay

Apple TV 6.0 is out: iTunes Radio, AirPlay from iCloud, iTunes music purchases, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 29, 2016

Following today's launch of the new iPhone 5s/5c and Wednesday's public release of iOS 7, Apple on Friday issued a major new software update to its "hobby project," the $99 Apple TV streaming set-top box. The company's been testing a companion Apple TV update since announcing iOS 7 at June's WWDC.

We previously caught glimpses of some of the new features such as AirPlay enhancements, automatic device configuration over Bluetooth, custom subtitles and Conference Room Mode for presenters. All of these goodies - and then some - are now readily available to Apple TV owners.

Go past the fold for the full details on iCloud Photos and Videos, iTunes Music Store purchases, Podcasts, AirPlay from iCloud and other Apple TV enhancements...

Amazon Instant Video iOS app now does AirPlay

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 17, 2013

Amazon released its Instant Video client for the iPhone and iPad in August 2012 as a way for Apple customers to access its growing library of movies and television shows from their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices. The online retail giant hasn't been updating the software much, apart from June's update with visual tweaks and personal recommendations for movies and television shows based on your past viewing habits.

My biggest gripe with any type of software that does video is the absence of AirPlay streaming support. If you get your entertainment from Amazon, you should update your Amazon Instant Video installation to the latest version which not only enables Apple's AirPlay technology, but also includes a few other nice-to-haves...

New Apple TV software with AirPlay enhancements due September 18

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2013

While some watchers have been expecting Apple TV news during yesterday's keynote, Apple instead chose to talk exclusively about the new iPhone 5s/5c and the revamped iOS 7 software. Apple's been testing a new version of the software powering its $99 set-top box since iOS 7 was introduced at WWDC this June. We've seen some of the new features such as a Conference Room Mode for presenters.

Moreover, earlier this week the AllThingsD blog shed more light on improved AirPlay support allowing users to watch the media they own on someone else's box without having to log in with their iTunes Store account. Today, a new report alleged that the final version of the updated firmware will hit Apple TVs a week from today, on September 18, 2013...

Updated Apple TV software with improved AirPlay tipped off for Tuesday’s iPhone keynote

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 6, 2013

Contrary to previous reports, Apple won't update the $99 Apple TV set-top box hardware just yet, currently in its third generation. As we reported recently, some rather inconclusive shipping records tracked to the global trade intelligence platform Panjiva suggested that a fourth-gen Apple TV or even a standalone TV product was imminent.

According to the Wall Street Journal-owned technology blog, that's not the case at all. Instead, with the upcoming keynote being focused on new iPhones and the supporting iOS 7 software, Apple will instead release an update to the Apple TV software, with one particular standout new feature being detailed...

Spotify Connect unveiled: AirPlay-like streaming, but without overhead

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

The popular Swedish streaming music service Spotify on Tuesday announced a compelling new feature for audiophiles which takes the best ideas from Apple's media streaming technology called AirPlay, and then some more. Called Spotify Connect, the service is being billed as "the new way to play at home".

It's a lot like AirPlay, but with the key difference: there's no overhead as the feature streams songs straight from Spotify's server to supported wireless speakers. I've included more information and a nice promo clip after the break...

Vevo finally gets full AirPlay support as rumored Apple TV app looms

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Vevo - a joint venture music video service operated by Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Google and Abu Dhabi Media - has had a nifty iPhone and iPad app available on the App Store for quite some time now.

Thanks to a March update, it's gotten a whole lot more useful by bringing out a disruptive feature called Vevo TV, always-on broadcast music channels that turn your iOS device into the MTV jukebox for the 21st century.

Now, we heard whispers of a forthcoming Vevo Apple TV "app" said to enable 24/7 entertainment later this month. In the meantime, Vevo just pushed a nice little iOS app update which has finally enabled full AirPlay support on your iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices...

Google launches Google Cast SDK For iOS, Android and Chrome developers

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2013

Alongside a new Nexus 7 tablet, and a new version of Android, Google launched a new TV accessory today called the Chromecast. Not to be confused with the short-lived Nexus Q, it's a tiny HDMI dongle that offers wireless device-to-TV streaming for just $35.

The device uses Google Cast, which like Apple's AirPlay feature, allows users to stream videos and other content from their smartphones and tablets to their television sets. Unlike Apple's offering, though, Google is opening up its Cast tech to multiple platforms...

Google unveils new Nexus 7, Google Play Games and Chromecast TV dongle

Cody Lee ∙ July 24, 2013

As expected, Google unveiled a new version of its 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet this morning at a press conference in San Francisco. The tablet is both thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and has a gorgeous new display with an impressive resolution of 1,920 x 1,200.

But the new slate wasn't the only thing on the docket for this morning's event. Google also showed off its Android 4.3 update, which features a new Google Play Games app (similar to Apple's Game Center), as well as a new device for your TV called Chromecast...

Alien Blue for iPad 2.2 brings Reddit to the Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Reddit, for those who aren't familiar with the social news and entertainment site, is an interesting place. You can find almost anything there—GIFs, photos, videos, you name it. In fact, most of the viral stuff you see online probably started here.

There are many apps available for browsing the site on your iPhone or iPad, but what about the Apple TV? Don't you wish sometimes that you could watch that funny video or GIF on the big screen? Well, now you can with Alien Blue for iPad 2.2...

New ‘iOS in the Car’ feature to work over WiFi via AirPlay

Cody Lee ∙ July 8, 2013

Among the many new features Apple introduced in iOS 7 is an interesting one called 'iOS in the Car.' It enables you to mirror your iPhone on your in-car display, allowing you to access Maps, Messages and other apps without having to take your eyes off the wheel.

Outside of that, and a list of the handful of auto-makers that have pledged to support it, not much has been said about the feature. A new report is out this afternoon, though, that offers up some new details on the whole thing. And apparently it's going to work over Wi-Fi...

Food Network brings its top TV shows to iOS

Cody Lee ∙ June 21, 2013

Great news this afternoon for all of you Chopped and Iron Chef fans, you can now watch your favorite TV shows on your iPhone or iPad. Food Networks released a new iOS app today called Watch Food Network and that allows you to watch some of its top programming on the go.

The app support the streaming of some of the Food Networks' most popular shows—including Diners Drive-Ins and Dives and Restaurant Impossible—as well as AirPlay, so you can stream content to your Apple TV, and iCloud sync, so you can always pick up where you left off...

‘AirPlayServer’ turns any jailbroken device into an AirPlay receiver

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 13, 2013

Looking for a quick and dirty way to turn any jailbroken iOS device into an Airplay receiver for audio? Have an old iPod touch laying around that's collecting dust? If so, then you may want to have a look at a recently released tweak called AirPlayServer.

AirPlayServer is a tweak that allows you to use a jailbroken iOS device as an AirPlay speaker. In fact, if you hook a pair of speakers up to the device's headphone jack, you'll really have something special. Have a look inside for a brief video demo that shows how it works...