Apple has released iOS 11.4 which means we all get to finally try AirPlay 2, Apple's streaming feature that has been in development for almost a year now.

AirPlay 2 is Apple's updated way to store content to TVs and other devices. It's built for video and audio but it's the audio side that everyone's interested in as it means you can pair two Apple Homepod speakers, arguably a feature that really should have been available day one of the Homepod’s release.

While AirPlay 2 is currently only in use by the Homepod, Apple has released a list of a number of manufacturers confirmed to be using AirPlay 2 when it becomes more widely available. Given some manufacturers will want to announce the big news themselves in some sort of stereo-paired reveal, not all the compatible speakers are mentioned but at least it will give you an idea of those in the mix.

The following are set to benefit from Apple AirPlay 2. Incidentally, if you are wondering when the third parties are looking to get AirPlay 2, then Bang & Olufsen have just announced that, for its speakers, AirPlay 2 will be available in August and September of this year.

There's, of course, the Apple HomePod. But consider also a number of other manufacturers primed to take advantage of Airplay. They include:

AirPlay 2: Sonos

Sonos One

Sonos Play:5

Sonos Playbase

AirPlay 2: Bang & Olufsen

Beoplay M3

BeoVision Eclipse (audio only) 

Beoplay A6

BeoSound 1 

BeoSound 2 

BeoSound 35 

BeoSound Core

BeoSound Essence mk2

Beoplay A9 mk2 

AirPlay 2: Libratone

Libratone Zipp 

Libratone Zipp Mini

AirPlay 2: Naim

Naim Mu-so QB

Naim Mu-so

Naim ND 555

Naim ND5 XS 2

Naim NDX 2

Naim Uniti Nova

Naim Uniti Atom

Naim Uniti Star

SOURCE BY TechRadar

Just a week after the updated iOS 11.3 software was launched for iPads and iPhones, Apple has dropped the developer beta of the 11.4 version of the platform.

Apple Insider has done a fine job of going through the new update, and found that it contains some new features that owners of other Apple devices will find interesting.

AirPlay 2 is the biggest one here, as it means that you'll be able to stream audio around your Apple-enabled home more easily - so if you're listening to some tunes on a HomePod and want to have them playing on an Apple TV downstairs, it'll be as easy as tapping from your iPhone.

The key thing this could enable is stereo use of two HomePods, a feature not enabled at launch. That would require a firmware upgrade, but it might be something that's kept as a headline feature for WWDC 2018, which is happening in June.

That's where we'll see iOS 12 unveiled, and Airplay 2 could be a big feature there - so perhaps its presence in 11.4 is just another opportunity to test it out for Apple.

Text me in the clouds above

The other change to 11.4 is the ability to have iMessages in the cloud - something that's already been announced as coming, and would allow synchronization of missives across all devices, with messages being deleted on one disappearing on the rest.

The final big change uncovered was the addition of ClassKit - anyone keeping a close eye on our coverage of the new iPad (2018) launch last week will have seen that this enables app developers to make their wares SchoolWork compatible.

What do you mean, you didn't read all the coverage? We don't care if you had stuff to do, you're always doing thi… OK, fine. SchoolWork is the app that allows teachers to assign work to students and check on their progress, and making the app ClassKit-enabled means it can be used within that framework, allowing teachers to assign tasks within the app.

According to Apple Insider, there's no slowdown with the developer beta release of 11.4, meaning it seems pretty stable at this time - however, any developer will know that these releases are always a bit dicey, and the features listed might not make it to the final launch.

Oh, you want to know what the new iPad is like?

Related product: Apple HomePod

Final Our Verdict:An impressive start, the squat little speaker commands a high price but comes with the premium polish we expect from Apple.

FOR

Varied use cases

Powerful audio

AGAINST

Locked down ecosystem

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