The last thing to pop up between you and that awesome presentation you’ve been working on for months, should be the inability to find the local WiFi password at the correct time. However, that seems to happen frequently enough as to warranted a response from Apple. One of the new iOS 8 features which Apple failed to mention during the WWDC keynote is the new peer-to-peer connection for AirPlaying to Apple TV.

Till now, you needed to connect both your Apple TV and your iPhone or iPad to the same WiFi network to AirPlay content, but now is Apple is changing the way AirPlay works in iOS 8 by adding peer-to-peer, the same protocol which it used in AirDrop to share files.

Though Apple din’t brag about it in the WWDC, this new addition is featured in the Enterprise section of the iOS 8 microsite of the website.

Peer-to-peer AirPlay discovery and playback.
With iOS 8, you can wirelessly connect iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to Apple TV without first connecting to the organization’s network. Which means you can present or share your work even if you’re offline or the organization has a complex network.

So now you can just hang around your Apple TV and it will automatically show up on your AirPlay menu without the need of any setup – it just works out of the box.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest AppleTV-related news.

The post AirPlay on iOS 8 uses peer-to-peer, won’t require you to connect to a network appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Black Friday… – all those gadgets that you’ve hovered over the purchase button all year round have now dropped in price and are in that impulse purchase territory.

Here we highlight the best deals for AirPlay speakers as part of Black Friday.

These WiFi enabled speakers enable the sound from your Apple TV to be AirPlayed to them. It’s seamless, quick, and just works. The benefit of using AirPlay over the standard Bluetooth you usually find in portable speakers is that the range is only limited by your WiFi network.

It’s worth pointing out that of course Amazon.com is not the only place to go to get Black Friday deals, but it sure is the most convenient, in most places cheapest, and coupled with the Prime service, certainly the quickest. If we find a better deal, we will post it!

So sit back and check out the deals this year:

• Philips DS9800W/37 Fidelio SoundSphere

$799.99 -> $299.99 (63% off)

Equipped with SoundSphere technology, these speakers let you experience music in its clearest, most lifelike form. SoundSphere technology creates a wider sound stage and more natural audio experience than traditional speakers. The Fidelio SoundSphere’s enclosure is handcrafted in wood.The speakers come with a remote control and work with the free Fidelio app that gives you access to a range of music and other features. You can also charge your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad via the included standalone docking charger.

Get it now for $299.99. 

• LG Docking Speaker with Airplay and Bluetooth

$299.99 -> $167.99 (44% off)

The LG Docking Speaker offers big sound, and functionality, in a stylish package. The 80W sound system, with integrated woofer, will enhance your listening experience while the integrated Wi-Fi allows you to connect via AirPlay or via the included Bluetooth. Compatible with iOS devices the free remote app turns the speaker into an alarm clock with “sleep” functionality. Includes FM tuner.

Get it now for $167.99.

• Samsung 100-Watt Dual Audio Dock

$699.99 -> $497.99 (29% off)

Hear your favorite music for the first time with the innovation of analog and digital technologies combined. It creates a truer, more immersive sound that digital alone cannot replicate. The Wireless Audio System with Dual Dock allows you to wirelessly stream music from mobile devices and play stored content from a PC or laptop with Airplay. Plus, stream CD quality music using Bluetooth 3.0 with aptX technology from any compatible Bluetooth device.

Get it now for $497.99.

• Philips DS3881W/37 Fidelio SoundRing Wireless Speaker with AirPlay

$299.00 -> $199.98 (33% off)

The Fidelio SoundRing is 100% portable and will conveniently play and charge your device simultaneously. The speaker has a built-in lithium-ion battery so you can bring it with you or try out different locations in your home. The SoundRing technology is engineered to completely fill your room with superb sound. A central bass sound pipe and four high-definition drivers–two front-firing and two side-firing–work together to provide an immersive sound experience with full audio impact in all directions.

Get it now for $199.98.

• Libratone Zipp

$399.00 -> $299.00 (25% off)

Libratone Zipp is an easy-to-use, wireless sound system wrapped in changeable Italian wool. The minimalistic speaker provides up to eight hours of battery time and the patented FullRoom technology creates a 360 sound experience. High-end components such as ribbon-based tweeters, digital signal processing and digital amplification provide premium sound. Apple Lossless technology ensures a perfect transfer from a music source to the Libratone Zipp.

Get it now for $299.00. 

• iHome iW2

$199.99 -> $102.07 (54% off)

iW2 provides dynamic stereo sound out of the two active stereo speakers for full-range audio performance. Experience bold, full sound with the iW2 speaker system.

The iW2 is an AirPlay speaker system for streaming music from iTunes, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch using your Wi-Fi network for wireless audio anywhere in the home. The iW2 also supports USB docking for iPad, iPod and iPhone charging and music playback with any iPod USB sync cable and dock. Embrace wireless living with impressive technology and an exceptional audio experience.

Get it now for $102.07. 

• Logitech UE Air

$399.99 -> $169.99 (58% off)

Built-in Apple AirPlay wireless technology streams high-quality uncompressed audio over your home Wi-Fi network from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or laptop with iTunes.

Just dock your device, follow the on-screen instructions to download the app, enter your network password and you’re good to go.

Get it now for $169.99.

• Philips AD7000W/37 Fidelio

$199.99  -> $90.22 (55% off)

The Fidelio SoundAvia AirPlay speaker makes a great addition to any room. Its contemporary, sleek design and compact size lets you enjoy your music virtually anywhere–wirelessly.

If you own an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, you can unlock even more features for this wireless speaker using the complementary Fidelio app. The Philips Fidelio app gives you access to over 7,000 free Internet radio stations.

Get it now for $90.22.

• XtremeMac Tango

$299.95 -> $89.89 (70% off)

The XtremeMac Tango Air features five active drivers and one passive radiator for staggering sound quality in a flexible design that maintains its audio integrity whether the speaker is positioned vertically or horizontally.

With built-in Airplay technology and simple plug & pull setup through iOS 5.0 or greater, you’ll enjoy access to your entire music library through your wireless network. Piano gloss finish and satin plated buttons ensure this speaker not only sounds amazing, but looks great no matter where you place it.

Get it now for $89.89. 

• Boston Acoustics MC200Air

$399.99 -> $129.50 (67% off)

MC200Air features BassTrac circuitry for consistent, high-performance sound. BassTrac, a Boston-designed digital audio technology, allows the speaker system to output deep, tuneful bass with minimal distortion, even at high volumes.

The MC200Air can connect to any DLNA-certified device, including PCs with compatible software and smartphones with Android OS via your Wi-Fi network. AUX inputs allow you to connect to a local source, and a USB connection allows you to connect, charge, and play music directly from iOS devices.

Get it now for $129.50. 

***

The deals picked out are some of the best AirPlay speakers out there, and with substantial money currently taken off the RRP, now is the best time to pick yourself up one of these speakers during Black Friday.

Other deals: 

• Black Friday deal: Apple TV 3 available for $89
• Black Friday giveaway: win a copy of X-Mirage

The post The best AirPlay speaker deals for Black Friday 2013 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

A new WiFi standard called 802.11ac, which enables significantly faster transfer speeds than 802.11n, has recently began to find it’s way into consumer devices, including the new AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule base Station. Now it seems the Apple TV is about to get the same treatment, with speculation that a new Apple TV will be released soon with 802.11ac support.

If you’ve ever used devices that take advantage of the 802.11ac standard, you’ll definitely notice the increase in speeds and performance in places of low reception or high interference when transferring files or streaming media.

Given the new AirPort Extreme is 802.11ac capable, it makes sense to optimise the Apple TV to take advantage of these faster WiFi speeds, since it’s more than likely that the Apple TV will be one of the devices that will be connecting to it.

The faster speeds will become even more noticeable with Apple’s enhancements in the 6.0 firmware which was recently released, taking advantage of iTunes Radio and iCloud, as media can reach the Apple TV at a greater transfer rate.

Apple TV 802.11ac

It is expected that Apple will release the new Apple TV model in the next few weeks, potentially alongside the new iPads at the upcoming October event. Expect it to be a relatively small announcement, much like the recently refreshed iMac’s which were introduced without much attention.

802.11ac will not only enable faster data transfer speeds, but will also result in stronger signals and more resistance to interference.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ to be first to know when the Apple TV 4 comes out.

Via: Product Reviews and MacRumors

The post New Apple TV with 802.11ac to launch soon? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

9to5Mac reports that Apple has informed its official retail stores, authorized resellers and Apple Care employees that a small number of 3rd generation Apple TVs have WiFi issues:

Apple has determined that a very small number of Apple TV (3rd generation) products might experience one of these Wi-Fi related connectivity issues:

• Cannot locate network
• Unable to join network
• Dropped or intermittent connection

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) will replace affected products up to two years from the original date of purchase free of charge.

If your Apple TV 3 is having WiFi connectivity issues, start with completing the following troubleshooting steps to help isolate the issue:

• Make sure the Apple TV (3rd generation) is running software version 5.2.1 or later.
• Eliminate every source of potential Wi-Fi interference. Reference AirPort and Bluetooth: Potential sources of interference for more information.
• Isolate the issue to Apple TV (3rd generation) by following Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections.

If the symptoms persist after troubleshooting, Apple will replace your Apple TV free of charge if its serial number is within the the specified serial number range:

• The last four letters of the serial number must be DRHN
• The third and fourth alphanumeric characters of the serial number must contain one of these pairs

• H9, HC, HD, HF, HG, HH, HJ, HK, HL, HM, HM, HP, HQ, HR, HT, HV, HW, HX, J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J9

Update: MacRumors reports:

According to several readers, Apple has acknowledged that it initially erred in referring to the character pairs appearing the third and fourth positions of the serial number. The listed pairs would actually occur in the fourth and fifth positions.

Source & image: 9to5Mac

The post Apple opens replacement program for 3rd generation Apple TVs with WiFi connectivity issues appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.