Apple debuts AirPort Express, AirTunes, iTunes 4.6

"AirPort Express isn't just the world's first mobile 802.11g base station -- with the addition of AirTunes users can now play their iTunes music on any stereo in their home -- all without wires," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "This innovative Apple product will appeal to both notebook users who want wireless freedom in their hotel rooms and to music lovers who want to listen to their iTunes music library on a stereo located anywhere in their home."



Apple describes AirTunes as its "breakthrough" music networking technology, which it says works seamlessly with iTunes running on either Macs or PCs to let users easily create a wireless music network in their home. Apple says the forthcoming iTunes 4.6 "automatically detects remote speakers and displays them in a simple pop-up list for the user to select. Once the remote speakers are selected, AirTunes wirelessly streams the iTunes music from the computer to the AirPort Express base station."



AirTunes music is encoded to protect it from theft while streaming across the wireless music network using Apple's lossless compression technology. Apple says the technology protects against loss of sound quality. AirPort Express provides a range of up to 150 feet, and multiple AirPort Express base stations can be bridged together to send music to extended areas.



AirPort Express offers both Mac and PC users the ability to share a single DSL or cable broadband account with up to 10 simultaneous users and a single USB printer with multiple users. With its advanced security features, AirPort Express safeguards data on networked computers with support for WiFi Protected Access (WPA), 128-bit encryption and a built-in firewall.

Filed under: peripherals