The Boxee application has been available since 2008. It can be used to conveniently access widely available audio, video, and other digital media on the Internet. One of the great features of Boxee is that it can be operated with a simple remote control. The software can run on MacOS, Windows, Ubuntu Linux, and on an AppleTV. Most recently, a dedicated Boxee appliance has been announced and will be manufactured by D-Link. For about $230 users can play almost any media available on the Internet as well as on the local network in a Boxee Box. The Boxee RF remote is also very innovative because it includes a QWERTY keyboard in the back side. This makes navigating and entering text very easy. The Boxee appliance contains an HDMI, optical audio, RCA, Ethernet, USB, WIFI, and an SD card slot. It will be available for shipping in November of 2010.
Stream from iTunes to your home audio system
BridgeCo is working to make AirPlay enabled devices by this holiday season. AirPlay allows users to stream music throughout compatible audio equipment in a wired or wireless network. Equipment like audio receivers, speakers, and others will have this built-in functionality. Users will be able to select from iTunes and AirPlay compatible devices where they wish to stream the music to. Audio equipment manufacturers like JBL, Denon, Marantz, B&W, and iHome have already signed up. For example, you will be able to stream the same song to an iHome device in the bedroom, a Denon receiver in the family room, and a JBL speaker system in the terrace. Denon might be one of the first to make the technology available on their AVR-4311CI home theater receiver. Furthermore, audio control is possible using the iPhone and iPod touch Remote application available on the Apple app store.
Streaming music to your home system
Some years ago I discovered a Squeezebox music player and used it to stream free Internet radio stations to my home music system. The device was originally made by a company called Slim Devices. They were later purchased by Logitech. The Squeezebox has been greatly improved and now several models are available. Currently services like Pandora Radio, Rhapsody, Last.fm, Sirius Radio, and many others are available in the Squeeze Network. Controlling the Squeezebox was sometimes cumbersome since it only came with a small remote control and you had to be in close to the device to follow the onscreen menus. Later, Logitech introduced the Squeezebox Duet that came with a color handheld remote. This seemed in direct competition with the Sonos music player. In any case, with the advent of the iPhone and app store, a clever team of developers from Penguin Loves Music came up with a clever application called iPeng. Continue reading “Streaming music to your home system”