AirPlay mirroring in iOS5: Oh, this can be big -- really big -- for Apple TV.
When I finally get around to downloading iOS5 for my iPhone and iPad, I'll certainly appreciate the 200+ new features that Apple is introducing with this big, free software upgrade, such as full Twitter integration, iMessage and Reminders.
But the big one I'm looking forward to? AirPlay mirroring. (SplatF's Dan Frommer's post about his most anticipated iOS5 updates got me thinking about this topic this morning.)
So what is AirPlay mirroring and why will it matter for users and the Apple TV? (Note: As a commenter below states, the AirPlay mirroring feature is only available for iPhone 4S and iPad 2.)
AirPlay is Apple's Wi-Fi content-streaming technology that enables you to push music and video from your iDevice to your television, with Apple TV ($99) as the wireless intermediary that makes it happen. Since I've owned an Apple TV, I've streamed photos, videos, and music from my iPhone to my TV. For instance, I take a bunch of photos of my kids playing outside and later, when we're inside, I flash those photos quickly on my TV. Wirelessly. Simply.
Now, AirPlay mirroring will allow you to mirror the entire iPhone or iPad, including all your apps. Suddenly, you can presumably start playing an iPhone game, and shift it to play on a bigger screen.
Or how about that Keynote or PowerPoint presentation you've been preparing? Imagine you have a demonstration to present to a group, and there's a 50-inch TV in the conference room. You bring your slim Apple TV and your iPhone/iPad and, bam!, you're giving a presentation without a laptop.
I really believe if Apple sets up a couch, a big-screen TV, an Apple TV and an AirPlay-enabled iPhone or iPad in each Apple Store, the company will see its Apple TVs fly off the shelves in short order. So much for Apple TV as a side "hobby," as Steve Jobs once called it.
I really believe AirPlay mirroring can be the sleeper hit feature of iOS5, which actually drives more hardware sales for Apple.
This is an archived version of the technology blog. For updated coverage, see the current baltTech location: baltimoresun.com/balttech
Categories: *NEWS*, Apps, Big Ideas, Gadgets, Wireless
Comments
AirPlay mirroring is only available on the iPhone 4s and iPad 2. It will not work on the iPhone 4 even with the ios5 update.
Posted by: Jason | October 12, 2011 12:44 PM
er.. of course. Apple TV is the trojan/halo device that Jobs and Apple have been quietly developing all along.
It's a sleeper. There's more to come before it fully awakens.
"hobby" was purely a word used to try to get the TV companies into sleepwalking into Apples margin deal. If Jobs started telling everyone "this is the new shape of TV" do you really think he could capture the TV companies like he did the Music companies? Nah.
Likewise the games bods.
Got to love/miss him.
X
Posted by: the V | October 12, 2011 1:23 PM
What's also nice is the ability to use AirPlay mirroring then launch from your iPad an app such as Splashtop that will allow you to remote to your Windows PC or Mac. From there you can access your whole computer on your TV. This also gives you the ability to show flash video such as Hulu.com without having to buy Hulu + service.
**
+1!!!! -Gus
Posted by: Michael from Catonsville | October 12, 2011 2:11 PM
How do I download iOS 5 if I already have iOS 5 beta 7?
When I plug it in, my iTunes says, "This version of the iPhone software (5.0) is the current version."
Posted by: Seazel | October 12, 2011 5:05 PM
As a registered iOS developer, you should follow the directions on Apple's developer site to upgrade your iOS beta to the GM release.
(... oh, you're *not* a registered iOS developer? Then why are you running a beta release, and where did you get it from?)
Posted by: rsfinn | October 12, 2011 6:59 PM
Apply TV shouild be the next big move for apple. It needs a lot of work, but people want to get rid of their cable service. We need LIVE apple TV.
Posted by: Headshots Los Angeles | October 13, 2011 12:07 PM
i would like to used my hp office jet 100 printer with myIpad . when is that going to happen
Posted by: jim | October 18, 2011 11:01 PM