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Apple Rolls Out AirPort Express, AirTunes
das writes "Apple has introduced AirPort Express (specs), a palm-sized, portable 802.11g base station with 10/100 ethernet, USB printer sharing, and analog and optical audio output, for connection to a stereo system or powered speakers for streaming your music collection via 'AirTunes.' It supports multiple profiles for easy use at multiple locations It can plug directly into the wall as a "power brick", or use a longer power cord, similar to the newer PowerBook AC adapters. AirTunes requires iTunes 4.6, expected to be available soon."
Dear Mr. Rodman,
As a practicing Catholic and a homosexual (which I'm good at, so I don't need the practice! LOL!) I must say that I'm a proud supporter of your products. However, I noticed that the official logo of the new hLife products is cock and anus-centric. Since I'm a Catholic homosexual of the lesbian variety, I must ask if I'm still welcome to use the hLife line? Don't turn your backs on your lesbian customers, guys! We live longer, we make more money, and *everybody* loves lesbians! (Well, except for the scary ones with mullets! I'm one of the cute girly ones and think that the butch chicks give us a bad name!) Please reconsider your logo, and if possible could you change the brand as well? Lesbians are sticklers for consistency, and I think that iHomo just sounds cuter anyway!
Thanks for your time!
Veronica Calais
Catholic Lesbian
(and proud owner of a cute, pink iPod mini!)
and then this thing has what? Two cords and plugs? I don't quite get this one. But I don't get Apple and I never have.
Personally, I have cat5e ethernet everywhere and my stereo is split around the room on 900mhz coax. I can access hundreds of Gigs of Mp3 from anywhere in the house. I'm sure my system is far superior to this goofy setup and probably cost less.
just fine, thanks!
in fact, apples + pork rules. applewood smoked bacon, anyone?
Looks like their web server is running off of an AirPort Express!!
The Apple product has to be WIRED into the network, so effectively it is JUST like a wired squeezebox. The only item the apple unit offers that the squeezebox doesn't is that it's also a wireless g AP... big woopty doo, I can buy one of those from SMC for $50.
I'll give the Apple unit props for being a portable AP since that's kind of cool. I think the addition of profiles is interesting, though I highly doubt most users will have places they frequent regularly (enough to make up a profile) to use them.
The problem is the selling of this thing as a music item. First off it doesn't offer ANY interface, meaning you STILL need a PC to change songs or play things on the stereo where you have set-up the remote unit. How often do you want to change the songs in teh living room from your upstairs office?!? Pfft, utter waste of time. Then there's the fact it doesn't even deliver real audio outs, etc.
In contract the squeezebox IS the only device you need with your stereo; its a digital receiver that streams the music from the server or source via software. You can change songs and scroll through your library FROM the squeezebox, meaning you don't have to go back to your office, pick a song, and then tell the thing to play it in the living room.
Basically if you want a small 802.11g AP to go on the road with you great. If you want a digital music receiver the Apple unit is a waste of time.
-rt
On what authority do you assert that there is no God?
But Herr Heisenberg, how does the electron know when I'm looking?