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Ars Reviews AirPort Express

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the it-fits-in-the-palm-of-your-hand dept.

ack154 writes "Ars Technica has a nice, comprehensive review of the new AirPort Express from Apple. There is a breakdown of each of the main features: music streaming, a mobile base station, a base station extender, and networking a printer. All features were tested from both Mac and Windows perspectives. Overall it got an 8/10 with points mainly lost for no means of remote control and no audio cable included in the package."

5 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. No Remote? by joeblakethesnake · · Score: 5, Informative

    Now, I haven't read the article yet, so I dont know the context, but isn't a computer running iTunes supposed to be the remote control?

    1. Re:No Remote? by cbelt3 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Apple's solution to that is "Party Shuffle", a feature on the newer iTunes client (and iPod firmware). The idea is you set up your party list much like you used to have to 'mix' custom CD's for your party guests. Think of it as a replacement for feeding CDR's into your drive and burning mix copies for your 5 CD changer on your stereo. If you want to have a 'remote', well hell- just buy an iPod and plug it into the amp. Skip the whole streaming thing. This then becomes more like a 'portable party mix' issue, but with waaay more flexibility. The main thing to me is the portability of a wireless AP. The music is gravy.

  2. Re:This is fine and well, but... by PaulusMagnus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You mean some European countries use the 802.11 2.4GHz frequency for military communications? Airport just sticks to the standards laid down in the IEEE standards. They didn't do a "Microsoft" and create their own standards.

    BTW Which European countries, as there are a lot of devices that use this band now?

  3. Re:This is fine and well, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    No, its france , and its probably resolved now, since you can buy Airport Express from Apple.fr
    "Legal Issues

    The documentation included with AirPort hardware lists approval for use in the following countries:

    Australia
    Austria
    Belgium
    Canada
    Denmark
    Finland
    Germany
    Hong Kong
    Netherlands
    Norway
    Sweden
    United Kingdom
    United States

    Notably absent from this list is France. This is probably due to the conflict between frequencies used by AirPort and the French military. Apple has said it is negotiating to resolve this issue.

    Using AirPort in countries where it's not approved can be a serious crime, and it is illegal for passengers to use any radio broadcasting equipment on a plane. I strongly recommend disabling AirPort when traveling in countries not on this list or on an airplane. The AirPort control strip includes a "Turn AirPort Off" command. While it would seem that this feature was created for this particular need, I have not been able to find documented assurance that turning off AirPort inhibits all transmissions. For extra protection against inadvertently doing something that could land you in prison, remove the AirPort card."
  4. Re:Audio Cable by rickerbr · · Score: 5, Informative

    The airport express as shipped will need a 1/8" (3.5mm) to dual RCA or mini-Toslink optical cable to hook up to an audio device. Out of the box it can not do so. While radio shack has the cables necessary, it doesn't have the power cord which replaces the flip out plug in (ala iPod and power book adapters). I've had my AX up and running since last friday and finally got the connector kit yesterday.