Apple has granted rare access to the inner workings of its software to a company that is connecting iTunes’ to hi-fi systems.
BridgeCo develops chips that enable stereo systems to receive wirelessly streamed music. A year ago Apple asked the company to work with it on the development of AirPlay, which allows iTunes to stream music to any suitably equipped device.
“We’ve always been knocking on the door to work with them on this,” BridgeCo chief executive Gene Sheridan told CNBC. “There is a magic to Apple.”
BridgeCo will have its chips in systems made by Denon, iHome Audio, Marantz, JBL, and Bowers & Wilkens, with the first appearing in time for the holiday shopping season.
AirPlay replaces iTunes’ longstanding AirTunes technology, which was only capable of streaming audio to Apple’s own AirPort Express and Apple TV. As well as supporting a much wider range of devices, AirPlay will also stream video and not just from the Mac desktop — iOS devices will also be able to broadcast content over Wi-Fi.
