The Airport Express already does this function completely with one audio wire between the AE and the speaker system. You don't need any other port device. (The Airport Express already receives the audio signal wirelessly and passes it through its' audio port directly to the speaker system.) No other devices are necessary to achieve this functionality.
I think Mehdi was trying to reduce the wires involved. But if you use a self-contained speaker system (all in one box like the one pictured being used with this port device) then all you would have is one wire. One wire is not so over-bearing, and it's not worth trying to reduce that one wire. Putting a porting device between these means an extra wire. One from the AE to the porting device and a second wire from the porting device to the speaker system. It sees that this device would complicate matters and would work at cross purposes of its' stated vision - simplifying the functionality of the Airport Express.
So you plug an airport express (expensive btw) into this and it turns regular speakers into networked speakers? Doesn't the airport already do that? I must be misunderstanding this.
For the most part, wireless speakers are either not truly wireless, requiring power cables or they are about as good as small battery-powered speaker docks. If you can show that this is worth the money it should have a good chance.
When I first read this, I was really excited. Sounded like the best idea here. I would consider using the Sonos system, and was just reading about it earlier. But now I'm not sure what value this device would add to the Airport Express.
1) You do need an Airport Express for this to work. (For those who unsure.)
2) Why do you need a porting device? The airport does all the heavy lifting. All you need is a speaker system with audio in.
Plug the Airport into a power source (usually the same as the speaker system.) And plug the speaker system into the Audio Out on the Airport Express.
You don't need anything else apart iTunes running on a nearby wifi computer/network.
The Airport Express is the solution.
The Sonos system does the same thing as the the Airport Express, but doesn't need the computer running as long as the iTunes or other music library data is available on the network. The Sonos system use their own proprietary music wireless signal. The Airport Express uses regular old wifi, and will connect to any iTunes on a wifi network or wifi-enabled computer within range.
The Airport Express plugs directly into the wall or an extension and does its work with just one audio cable that connects it to the speaker system. Not sure how you can reduce 1 wire, or the utility in doing so.
If you need an AirPort express to use the dock then it is not worth it. I would suggest that you make it more "universal" by allowing the line-in to work with any iPod and the AirPort Express.
This needs a better explanation- is the sonos unique in some way or is the proposed Xpressdock a universal unit or is the Airport the top selling of its kind ?
I don't know how the size of the market or impact this product could have or potential for sales this has. More info please. So far, no one has bought the electronic devices quirky has produces, so convince me that this could be profitable.
Comments
The Airport Express already does this function completely with one audio wire between the AE and the speaker system. You don't need any other port device. (The Airport Express already receives the audio signal wirelessly and passes it through its' audio port directly to the speaker system.) No other devices are necessary to achieve this functionality.
I think Mehdi was trying to reduce the wires involved. But if you use a self-contained speaker system (all in one box like the one pictured being used with this port device) then all you would have is one wire. One wire is not so over-bearing, and it's not worth trying to reduce that one wire. Putting a porting device between these means an extra wire. One from the AE to the porting device and a second wire from the porting device to the speaker system. It sees that this device would complicate matters and would work at cross purposes of its' stated vision - simplifying the functionality of the Airport Express.
I think this is very clever, but I'm guessing the market would be pretty limited.
I also believe there are several wireless speaker systems available that solve the issue relatively well without the expense.
I think i'll let Sonos do it and plug my iPod into a system I understand.
So you plug an airport express (expensive btw) into this and it turns regular speakers into networked speakers? Doesn't the airport already do that? I must be misunderstanding this.
For the most part, wireless speakers are either not truly wireless, requiring power cables or they are about as good as small battery-powered speaker docks. If you can show that this is worth the money it should have a good chance.
When I first read this, I was really excited. Sounded like the best idea here. I would consider using the Sonos system, and was just reading about it earlier. But now I'm not sure what value this device would add to the Airport Express.
1) You do need an Airport Express for this to work. (For those who unsure.)
2) Why do you need a porting device? The airport does all the heavy lifting. All you need is a speaker system with audio in.
Plug the Airport into a power source (usually the same as the speaker system.) And plug the speaker system into the Audio Out on the Airport Express.
You don't need anything else apart iTunes running on a nearby wifi computer/network.
The Airport Express is the solution.
The Sonos system does the same thing as the the Airport Express, but doesn't need the computer running as long as the iTunes or other music library data is available on the network. The Sonos system use their own proprietary music wireless signal. The Airport Express uses regular old wifi, and will connect to any iTunes on a wifi network or wifi-enabled computer within range.
The Airport Express plugs directly into the wall or an extension and does its work with just one audio cable that connects it to the speaker system. Not sure how you can reduce 1 wire, or the utility in doing so.
This does need more of an explanation of what exactly would be created.
If you need an AirPort express to use the dock then it is not worth it. I would suggest that you make it more "universal" by allowing the line-in to work with any iPod and the AirPort Express.
This needs a better explanation- is the sonos unique in some way or is the proposed Xpressdock a universal unit or is the Airport the top selling of its kind ?
I don't know how the size of the market or impact this product could have or potential for sales this has. More info please. So far, no one has bought the electronic devices quirky has produces, so convince me that this could be profitable.
It is just me or is this a bit irrelevant. Any Airport Express will play music through any amplifier or speaker system with built in "AUDIO IN"?
You don't need a dock for that?
maybe make it compatible with airport but you dont have to buy one for it to work.
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