AirPlay Direct allows iDevices to play music directly to speakers

So what’s Apple up to apart from keeping the world on tender hooks regarding the iPhone 5? Apparently, the iPhone 5 maker is planning to improve upon the AirPlay wireless music streaming technology with the launch of ‘AirPlay Direct’ which allows music to be played without the use of WiFi network.

AirPlay Direct users can do away with speakers and a WiFi network with this latest version. The new version will require the users to have just speakers or a hifi and an iDevice like the iPhone, iPad or iPod, which would form its own network to allow direct connection and music playback.

AirPlay Direct is expected to be announced on September 12, the rumoured launch date of the iPhone 5. Apple is also planning to change the size of iPod connector with a new push for Airplay streaming. This will mean that docks will no longer require the iPod to be physically connected, similar to that of Android docks, which usually use BlueTooth for music playback.

Apple’s Airplay allows iPods, iPhones and iPads to play music directly to speakers that include the company’s proprietary chip, and claims to offer improved functionality over conventional speakers that can connect to phones or computers via BlueTooth.

Apple’s decision to introduce a smaller connection has been in the offing since the past several months, and will coincide with the push to Airplay. The strength of Airplay Direct lies in its improved functionality as Airplay cannot be expected to do much without the ability to form a network.

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