In the simplest of terms, Apple AirPlay is a technology that lets you stream music or video throughout your house directly from iTunes on your Mac or from your iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), directly to a compatible sound system or Apple TV.
That means there is no longer a need to dock your iOS device with a speaker dock to listen to your music. Instead you connect it wirelessly using the AirPlay technology, therefore having full control of the music right there on the iOS device in your hand.
Although this could also have been done using bluetooth, AirPlay ensures a better transfer quality, resulting in less loss in audio quality. You can even stream to multiple sources all at once, as longs as all systems are compatible, possibly creating a true multiroom listening experience.
To make AirPlay work it is crucial that your systems have the necessary technology integrated. More and more speakers and sound systems are starting to come with AirPlay technology included, such as the B&W Zeppelin Air. In addition you can also get an Airport Express adaptor from Apple that can help turn your current sound system AirPlay compatible.
For video streaming you will currently have to get a 2nd generation Apple TV, available from amongst other Amazon UK at £87, and connect that to your television set.
When Apple was looking into wireless streaming of media from their devices, they chose to deliver their own solution in AirPlay instead of building on established methods, feeling that AirPlay would deliver the quality and consistency they needed for their devices.
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