Apple music goes wireless in the home

09-06-2004

by Martin Lynch

Apple is set to wow consumer and business users again with AirPort Express, a tiny wireless base station for creating or extending a wireless home network.

The device, which will even let users transfer iTunes music files to a hi-fi, measures just 4 inches x 3 inches x 1 inch. Apple is touting the AirPort Express as the world's first portable 802.11g mobile base station that can be plugged directly into the wall for wireless Internet access and printing, or used by mobile professionals to wirelessly access broadband in hotels.

However, the gadget's most novel features are the analogue and digital audio outputs, which when used with the AirTunes networking software lets PC or Mac users send their iTunes music files to any room in the house.

"This 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," said Apple's CEO Steve Jobs in a statement.

iTunes version 4.6 automatically detects remote speakers and displays them in a list for users to select. Once selected, AirTunes wirelessly streams the iTunes music from the computer to the AirPort Express base station. AirPort Express has a range of up to 45 metres and multiple AirPort Express base stations can be bridged together to send music to extended areas.

Priced at EUR149, the AirPort Express is not expensive for what it offers and will be available in July. The bridging capability -- extending a wireless network to other rooms -- of the AirPort Express is seen as a major bonus, since buying another of the existing AirPort Extreme devices costs EUR249.

Music lovers should be aware that the stereo connection kit for the AirPort Express will cost an extra EUR45.

Apple also took the wraps off its new Power Mac G5 desktop line on Wednesday, all with dual 64-bit PowerPC G5 processors. The top model, featuring two 2.5 GHz processors, claims the industry's fastest front-side bus at 1.25GHz and liquid cooling. It comes with a price tag of EUR 3,379 including VAT. The new range starts at EUR2,249 including VAT.