• Recently Released Broadcom SDK Makes Integrating Apple's AirPlay Easier for OEMs

    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 2014-01-07 02:13 PM
    1 Comment Comments


    Apple’s wireless streaming standard, AirPlay, received a boost recently when the chipmaker, Broadcom, announced a new software development kit making it easier and faster for manufacturers to add AirPlay support to their audio devices. By combining the high-definition audio SDK and Broadcom’s WiFi hardware, accessory makers now have a relatively simple method for connecting speakers and audio devices with AirPlay. Broadcom’s system abstracts away issues such as multi-speaker synchronization and latency mitigation, freeing manufacturers to focus on other components and speeding up the development process.

    On top of that, manufacturers who use Broadcom’s platform aren’t required to separately integrate AirPlay components directly from Apple, further simplifying development. As a result, Broadcom touts the solution, which supports 802.11n, as a “turnkey” package. For applications where audio quality is paramount, Broadcom has built in support for popular codecs such as WavPack and Celt as well as multiple sampling rates including 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz and 96 KHz. The company is saying the new platform "improves synchronization and offers significant range benefits that enable multiple configurations with multiple speakers on the same Wi-Fi network," meaning future AirPlay-enabled wireless speaker systems could extend as far as Wi-Fi allows without the need for separate receivers.

    The SDK is one of the newest additions to Broadcom’s Wireless Internet Connectivity or Embedded Devices, otherwise known as WICED. The initiative is aimed at enabling advanced WiFi based wireless networking for items like cameras, kitchen appliances, fitness equipment and light switches. The Broadcom marketing executive, Rahul Patel, recently told the folks over at Tom’s Hardware that “multiple first-tier OEMs” have WICED-enabled products in the pipeline for 2014 but declined to provide more specific information. We’ll just have to wait and see but in the meantime, the thought of having more AirPlay enabled products in the market is definitely a pro for iOS device owners.

    Source: Broadcom (Press Release) via Tom’s Hardware
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Recently Released Broadcom SDK Makes Integrating Apple's AirPlay Easier for OEMs started by Akshay Masand View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iOS,
    3. Apple,
    4. Software
    Comments 1 Comment
    1. DieselVexx's Avatar
      DieselVexx - 2014-01-07, 02:59 PM
      Now, Apple products are really going to become must have items especially if this process make them more affordable . I think this may spell the end for products being offered as high end Speciality items and make them more common place. I mean who wants to pay a hundred bucks for a lightbulb, or damn near two for a remote control deadbolt door knob. I think the days were you can blatantly rip off the consumer for an item like this is going the way of the $85.00 VCR tape movies. Which should have never been priced that high to begin with.

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