Apple Mulling AirPlay License Expansion To Include Video
Apple's AirPlay service has really taken of, and it looks like it may
continue to do so in a slightly different way. While the service has
been mostly used for audio streaming, and exclusively so in partner
devices, there are new rumors that Apple may give partner companies the
ability to add video streaming. It's reported that Apple's partner
companies pay arond $4 per product to have AirPlay compatibility, but
these A/V receivers aren't passing along iPad/iPhone video. Yet.
A new Bloomberg report cites two people familiar with the matter while saying that Apple is currently mulling a plan that would expand AirPlay licensing. If this proves true, it could lead to televisions with AirPlay support built right in. If this situation were to play out, you could stream video and audio content from your iPad and iPhone right onto your television screen, which seems it would genuinely give people a good reason to go out and invest in a new set.
Only time will tell if Apple truly is considering this, but it makes sense. Reports say that existing AirPlay modules, even in partner devices, support video streaming, but it's disabled and not covered by the existing license. Apple may say that the Apple TV is just a hobby, but an AirPlay-enabled TV sounds like big business.
A new Bloomberg report cites two people familiar with the matter while saying that Apple is currently mulling a plan that would expand AirPlay licensing. If this proves true, it could lead to televisions with AirPlay support built right in. If this situation were to play out, you could stream video and audio content from your iPad and iPhone right onto your television screen, which seems it would genuinely give people a good reason to go out and invest in a new set.
Only time will tell if Apple truly is considering this, but it makes sense. Reports say that existing AirPlay modules, even in partner devices, support video streaming, but it's disabled and not covered by the existing license. Apple may say that the Apple TV is just a hobby, but an AirPlay-enabled TV sounds like big business.
