For many, the biggest disappointment of iOS 4.2.1 was the reality that the long-awaited AirPlay feature was essentially neutered -- video streaming to an Apple TV was only possible from Apple’s own apps. According to Steve Jobs, that may change next year.
9to5Mac is reporting that Apple CEO Steve Jobs has come to the rescue yet again, this time responding to an eager AirPlay fan looking for the ability to wirelessly stream their videos from any application, including Safari.
As you may recall, the arrival of iOS 4.2.1 came with the unfortunate discovery that AirPlay video streaming was severely limited -- it was only possible from Apple’s own iPod app (for the iPhone/iPod touch), Videos app (for the iPad) and YouTube. Everything else, including Safari and third-party apps, can do audio streaming only.
A MacRumors reader decided to investigate, firing off a missive to the man himself: Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
“Hi, I recently updated both my iPhone 4 and iPad to 4.2,” the e-mail reads. “I think my favourite feature is Airplay. This is seriously amazing and makes sharing content seamless. I just purchased Apple TV and was wondering are you ever going to make airplay video work for videos in safari and 3rd party apps? I hope to get a response. :)”
Luckily for them, their diligence paid off with a typically brief response from Steve Jobs himself: “Yep, hope to add these features to Airplay in 2011.”
Of course, the hackers have already found a way to circumvent this limitation with AirPlay, complete with a Cydia app (jailbreak only) to get things working. Kind of makes you wonder what the holdup with Apple’s own solution is, but we’d place bets that it involves movie studios, television networks and rights holders. Same old story…
Follow this article’s author, J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter
(Image courtesy of 9to5Mac and MacRumors)
