AppleInsider Staff
According to people familiar with Apple's plans, the so-called AirPlay Direct tech will require only an iDevice and compatible audio equipment for music streaming, doing away with the feature's current need of a Wi-Fi network, reports the Telegraph.
While details are scarce, including the name which is still a "working title," it is thought that AirPlay Direct will create an ad hoc connection with supporting audio units. Technically, this solution would still require Wi-Fi functionality from both devices, however the need for a connected network would be negated.
It is unclear whether the rumored tech will be audio only and still carry the AirPlay moniker, as Apple previously called the media sharing service AirTunes when it only supported music.
Apple's AirPlay is a proprietary wireless sharing protocol based on RTSP technology that allows for the streaming of audio and video using the company's own encoding tools. First introduced in 2010 as an augmentation to AirTunes, AirPlay is able to stream audio and video content wirelessly to a number of supported devices like stereos, receivers and the Apple TV.
According to the sources, Apple will debut AirPlay Direct alongside a next-generation iPhone at an as-yet-unannounced special event on Sept. 12.
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49 Comments
So would the new iDevices have Wifi that can connect to two devices, Internet and these new ad-hoc ones?
[quote name="logandigges" url="/t/152189/apple-rumored-to-unveil-wi-fi-free-version-of-airplay-at-sept-12-event#post_2177939"]So would the new iDevices have Wifi that can connect to two devices, Internet and these new ad-hoc ones?[IMG]http://www.islamicboard.com/images/smilies/set/hmm2.gif[/IMG] [/quote] I'd guess it's using the same tech foundation as AirDrop so it'll only be devices that have the right types of WiFi installed, which probably means it'll be new to the next iPhone as I don't recall anything out of the ordinary for the iPad (3) or other iDevices.
This aught to be an interesting concept.
I agree with the above, as AirDrop already works without a network by creating it's own ad-hoc connection.
Less stress on the network I guess, but otherwise seems like a non-event.