Sam Oliver
With iOS 6 Beta 3, users can access enhanced features available in the AirPlay section of the device settings. The new functionality, highlighted by FlatPanelsHD on Wednesday, allows users to choose external speakers to send audio.
Running the latest software, the Apple TV will detect any AirPlay-enabled speakers on a user's home network, and they will be available to select for sound output. The new feature is said to be fully operational in the latest pre-release build of iOS 6, allowing users to send audio from any content, including video, to wireless AirPlay-capable speakers.
Currently, an Apple TV running the latest publicly released version of iOS only has the ability to receive AirPlay content. The existing AirPlay settings on the Apple TV simply to turn the feature on or off, and set a password.
The new software update will help to make the Apple TV a more independent device less reliant on external devices. For example, users could access their iCloud-stored music library on an Apple TV, and use the set-top box to stream that music elsewhere, such as to speakers connected to an Apple AirPort Express.
Because AirPlay does not support 5.1 surround sound, users with the latest beta of iOS 6 for Apple TV indicated to FlatPanelsHD that Dolby Digital audio must be disabled, or else the volume will be very low. That setting can be accessed in the system's "Audio & Video" options.
Last month, Apple's second iOS 6 beta for Apple TV added the ability to customize and reorder the layout of application icons, just like on the iPhone and iPad. The addition helped to fuel speculation that Apple is gearing up to give the Apple TV its own App Store with third-party applications.
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11 Comments
Nice! That'll be a handy feature. I wonder why AirPlay doesn't support 5.1? Is it a technical limitation? Hopefully they'll be able to add that in the future. Really hoping the AppleTV App store comes to fruition too. That would rock.
This is a cool feature. So will it play on multiple remote speakers? Meaning the ones connected to the hard wired speakers and also an express or two? Anyone know why the iPad can not AirPlay audio to multiple sources, like say the apple tv and two expresses? Is it hardware related or is it just not implemented yet?
All this fiddling with the periphery seems like something that should be done after the big stuff, and by that I mean an ATV app store. It's such an obvious move it boggles the mind why Apple haven't done it. Then release an ATV4 next year based on the iPad 4 internals (PVR Rogue, Cortex A15) and have something which can run Xbox/PS3 games without compromise.
I think Apple will have to address the price issue too - an Xbox 360 is now £140 for the base model, and it gives access to a pretty solid array of streaming services. (plus it plays high end games). The ATV at £100 for such a limited box just doesn't make any sense. The Roku, also at £100, is only slightly better as at least it has an app store. These little streamers should be £50, tops.
yay
There have been several times where I wish my Apple TV would send sound to my iPhone so I can plug my headphone in and not bother others. Kind of like reverse AirPlay.