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AirPlay 2 Explained Everything You Need to know about Apple AirPlay 2

After away long, wait from the announcement to the availability, Apple’s AirPlay 2 is finally here to use! The announcement is now turned into availability in June 2018 as a part of the IOS 11.4 software update. So let’s get into every inch of details you can and should know about this amazing streaming technology by Apple.

What is Apple AirPlay 2?

Apple AirPlay is a device that allows streaming audio or video from an Apple source like IOS, Home Pod, or Mac computer to another device over a home network. AirPlay 2 now is the updated version expanding the capabilities and features that were in the AirPlay first version.

Apple introduced the AirPlay2 update in 2017 at the World Wide Developer’s Conference. It has the ability to enable device mirroring which means it can share the content on your mobile display to any other device.

How does it work?

AirPlay 2 creates a Multi-room for HomePod, as it helps you control AirPlay-compatible speakers from supporting devices like the iPhone. It is just that the speakers should also support AirPlay2

With AirPlay 2 you are now able to select any speaker in your home to play music from your IOS device. You can also control the volumes of the speakers individually. The only thing you need to do is just swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen and work with the controls in Control Centre.

You can also play different songs in different rooms of your place, but this advantage is especially for the Apple Music Subscribers. Siri helps you playing different songs as you just need to ask her to play the songs accordingly and she will do the needful.

One more feature that has come up with AirPlay 2 is that multiple users can add songs to a single playlist. For instance, if one iPhone is the music source of AirPlay then another Apple Music user can send the songs to the source iPhone. This way the task or disconnecting and reconnecting different iPhones can be escaped.

Devices supporting AirPlay 2

This wireless streaming device was rolled out as a part of IOS 11.4 and supports the following Apple devices:

  • iPhone – iPhone series from iPhone 5S to iPhone XS Max
  • iPad – From iPad mini 2 to 12.9in iPad Pro first and second generation
  • iPod Touch – iPod touch 6th generation
  • Apple TV – Apple TV 4th generation
  • MacBook and MacBook Pro – Mac Pro, Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (all from 2010 or later) iMac/ iMac Pro (2009 or later) and MacBook (Late 2009 or later)

Note – AirPlay 2 supports does not support Apple devices that are made more than 7 years ago.

Brands Supporting AirPlay 2 update in their Hardware

Here is the list of various Speakers and TV manufacturing brands that have confirmed the Apple AirPlay2 updated in their existing hardware.

  • LG
  • Samsung
  • Sony
  • Vizio
  • Bluesound
  • Bose
  • Devialet
  • Denon
  • Libratone
  • Marantz
  • NAD
  • Onkyo
  • Pioneer
  • Sonos

Some Advanced features of Apple Airplay 2

Airplay 2 with Apple TV – If you have Apple TV versions like tvOS 11 or later, then you will be able to stream audio to the speakers in your home. It has not just restricted to your iPhone or iPad. Whether it is a soundbar or speaker system connected to the Apple TV it will automatically de facto AirPlay2 speaker.

Airplay 2 with Siri – When it comes to a multi-room audio system, Siri plays an important role. As you are not here restricted to use Siri with just HomePod. You can tell her to play songs on whichever speaker you want to along with playing different songs on different speakers. Siri will work well with any third party having an AirPlay 2 update.

Airplay 2 in HomeKit – AirPlay 2 is functioned well to work with other HomeKit devices. This can be used to alert you on things that are happening or to work on with your routines or schedules that are fixed for the day. Without turning it on you can enjoy the music played automatically once scheduled.

Final Words

Now, whenever you think of listening to music wirelessly there is no need to think of Bluetooth. With Apple AirPlay 2 you can it all with just a Wifi connection. Also, it has a bundle of advanced features to work away different from Bluetooth. So if you are an Apple user expand your ways of listening to music with a completely new experience.

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