The one new feature that gets most people excited about iOS 4.2 is AirPlay. With new support features and media streaming functionality, Apple AirPlay may just change the way you consume your music and video on a daily basis.
Music and Video streaming is the most exciting part of AirPlay, but just how does it work? It is actually very easy to set up, and requires only two essential pieces of kit. You will need an iDevice that runs iOS 4.2, such as an Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch; and a hardware media player such as an AirPort Express, AirPlay speakers, v2 Apple TV, or standard Bluetooth audio device.
In their usual user-friendly fashion, Apple have taken care of control and infrastructure between devices, and a new rectangular symbol pops up on the software side when using any AirPlay-ready application. Once you tap the icon a menu will pop up which lists your available hardware devices, allowing you to choose where to send your music or video – cool.
AirPlay is set up to run as a background process, so you can easily switch away from the media player in question and use your device for other things. If your iDevice happens to be locked, you can even control the volume using the standard volume keys and keep the device sleeping.
There is one major bug that has been found with AirPlay, which occurs when streaming media in the background and playing a game or something that also has an audio output. The audio from the game lags behind the visuals in an inconsistent fashion, which may be due to certain apps that are not yet iOS 4.2 compatible.
Overall, Apple AirPlay is a very cool system that acts as an simple multi-room audio setup without the need for a computer. It is likely to be seen on more third-party audio systems and components in the future, and probably also copied by other handset and tablet manufacturers as well.
Apple announced the public beta of FaceTime for Mac, an entirely new application that allows Mac users to video call iPhone 4 and iPod touch users as well as other Mac users. Featuring an intuitive interface, FaceTime for Mac automatically uses your Address Book contacts so there’s no need to create special buddy lists, and it works seamlessly with the built-in camera and mic on Mac notebooks, iMac, and Apple LED Cinema Displays. The public beta is available immediately as a free download.
Apple today gave a sneak peek of Mac OS X Lion, the eighth major release of the world’s most advanced operating system. Shipping next summer, Lion is inspired by many of iPad’s software innovations. Features include the Mac App Store, a new way to discover, install, and automatically update desktop apps; Launchpad, a new home for all of your Mac apps; system-wide support for full-screen apps; and Mission Control, which unifies Exposé, Dashboard, Spaces, and full-screen apps into an innovative new view of everything running on your Mac, allowing you to instantly navigate anywhere.
Apple introduced iLife ’11, a major upgrade that gives Mac users even more great ways to create and share photos, movies, and music. iPhoto ’11 has a whole new look, with stunning full-screen modes for Faces, Places, and Events. iMovie ’11 makes it easier than ever to edit videos and quickly transform them into fun theatrical trailers for easy posting online. GarageBand ’11 introduces new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs with Flex Time and Groove Matching. Free with every new Mac, iLife ’11 is available immediately as a $49 upgrade for existing users.
Apple today unveiled the all-new MacBook Air, the first of the next generation of notebooks that will replace mechanical hard disks and optical drives with Internet services and solid-state flash storage. Available in 11-inch and 13-inch models and weighing as little as 2.3 pounds, the MacBook Air is Apple’s lightest, most mobile notebook ever. MacBook Air uses the same solid-state storage technology as iPad to deliver instant-on responsiveness, up to seven hours of battery life, and up to 30 days of standby time. Starting at $999, the MacBook Air is available now on the Apple Store and at your favorite Apple Retail Store. 
