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47-609: AirPlay is a proprietary wireless communication protocol stack/suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows the streaming of multimedia and device screens, together with related metadata , between compatible devices. Originally implemented only in Apple's own software and hardware, the company has since licensed the AirPlay protocol stack to third-party manufacturers and it has been implemented on devices such as television sets and home audio systems. AirPlay works through either

94-435: A local network (LAN), through either Wi-Fi or Ethernet , or (since 2017) directly to each other using Wi-Fi Direct , allowing devices to connect without a central LAN. This method of peer-to-peer connecting is now preferred by AirPlay, but Apple notes that the protocol establishes a connection "using the method that’s the most responsive". The AirTunes part of the AirPlay protocol stack uses UDP for streaming audio and

141-676: A British company and as a subsidiary of Vervent. That same year, the rollout of a global network of 'Focal Powered by Naim' stores was launched, with the first openings in Seoul (South Korea) and Lyon (France). This was followed by the United States, England, Canada, and many others. These stores, shop-in-shops, and dedicated corners for the Focal and Naim brands offer customers a brand experience. The FPBN network includes more than 50 locations, spanning North America, Asia, and Europe. In 2022,

188-548: A direct peer-to-peer connection between devices or through an infrastructure local network . In 2004, Apple introduced AirTunes as a new feature of iTunes 4.6. It allowed music streaming over a network to an AirPort Express , which was equipped with a 3.5 mm analog-digital audio jack for speakers or other audio devices. In 2010, Apple introduced a new iteration of the AirTunes technology, now called AirPlay, as part of iOS 4.2 . It supported audio and now video streaming to

235-420: A feature in iOS 5 where the user can stream the screen from an iPad 2 to an HDTV wirelessly and securely without the need for cables. AirPlay is a different technology from AirPlay Mirroring, as the former allows specific content formats to be streamed, while the latter allows the whole screen to be broadcast from a variety of iOS devices and iTunes to an Apple TV (2nd Gen or later). The exact composition of

282-516: A majority stake in the Focal & Co group, which was renamed to Vervent Audio Group. In August 2017, Focal.JMLab UK Limited, the distributor of Focal speakers in the UK, was merged into Naim Audio Limited. In late 2019, Alpha Private Equity became the majority shareholder of Vervent, chaired by Cédrick Boutonet, who was appointed CEO. The subsidiaries Focal Naim America and Focal Naim Canada were also created. Naim Audio Limited continues to operate as

329-627: A product called AirServer. An open-source AirPlay mirroring server (receiver) known as RPiPlay is available for the Raspberry Pi and Desktop Linux operating systems. The author describes it as being based on dsafa22's Android mirroring server, which was in turn based on Juho Vähä-Herttua's ShairPlay. With Shairport Sync, there is an implementation that supports AirPlay and parts of AirPlay 2 that runs on Linux and FreeBSD and works well on embedded devices such as Raspberry Pis or OpenWrt-powered routers. Proprietary protocol Ownership by

376-418: A single organization gives the owner the ability to place restrictions on the use of the protocol and to change the protocol unilaterally. Specifications for proprietary protocols may or may not be published, and implementations are not freely distributed . Proprietors may enforce restrictions through control of the intellectual property rights, for example through enforcement of patent rights, and by keeping

423-717: A single-speaker environment represented a departure from marketing in chain electronics stores in favour of small independent retailers [in the United Kingdom]. The two companies diverged during the 1980s. This was partly due to the convergence of technology, but also because Naim had significantly fewer dealers than Linn. This presented problems for Linn dealers trying to sell Linn speakers, that were specifically designed to work with Naim amplification. Both Naim and Linn began broadening their product ranges and started encroaching on each other's areas of expertise: in 1985, Linn launched its LK1/LK2 amplification combination, signalling

470-540: A third-party developer released a macOS app that can stream audio using AirPlay 2. The app includes a helper tool called "AirPlay Enabler" that uses code injection to bypass restrictions to the AirPlay 2 private API on macOS. AirPlay receiver devices include Apple TV , HomePod , third-party speakers and the discontinued AirPort Express , which included a combined analog and optical S/PDIF audio output connector. Compatible devices can receive AirPlay over wi-fi or ethernet. Some open-source projects have reverse-engineered

517-622: Is based on the Real Time Streaming Protocol . The streams are transcoded using the Apple Lossless codec with 44100 Hz and 2 channels symmetrically encrypted with AES , requiring the receiver to have access to the appropriate key to decrypt the streams. The stream is buffered for approximately 2 seconds before playback begins, resulting in a small delay before audio is output after starting an AirPlay stream. The protocol supports metadata packets that determine

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564-497: Is designed to replace TCP transparently in order to overcome perceived inefficiencies related to wireless data transport. Microsoft Exchange Server protocols are proprietary open access protocols. The rights to develop and release protocols are held by Microsoft, but all technical details are free for access and implementation. Microsoft developed a proprietary extension to the Kerberos network authentication protocol for

611-516: Is enforced: devices without it cannot be used. AirPlay wireless technology is integrated into speaker docks, AV receivers, and stereo systems from companies such as Naim , Bose , Yamaha , Philips , Marantz , Onkyo , Bowers & Wilkins , Pioneer , Sony , Sonos , McIntosh , Denon , and Bang & Olufsen . Song titles, artists, album names, elapsed and remaining time, and album artwork can appear on AirPlay-enabled speakers with graphical displays. Often these receivers are built to only support

658-697: Is perhaps Naim Audio's most well-known analogue product, as its basic circuit layout was shared by all the company's power amplifiers until the introduction of the NAP500 in 2000. The Naim NAIT , its first integrated amplifier, is "one of the most controversial and famous integrated amps in the history of HiFi". In 2024, Naim introduced new products specifically designed for the Integration market: CI-NAP 108, CI-NAP 101, and CI-Uniti 102. These products include power amplifiers and streaming amplifiers, which are designed to complement Focal loudspeakers. In October of

705-592: Is the process of retrieving a protocol’s details from a software implementation of the specification. Methods of reverse-engineering a protocol include packet sniffing and binary decompilation and disassembly . There are legal precedents when the reverse-engineering is aimed at interoperability of protocols. In the United States , the Digital Millennium Copyright Act grants a safe harbor to reverse engineer software for

752-554: The "10", also known as "One M10" , an Android phone with Apple AirPlay streaming. As of iOS 4.3, third-party apps like ApowerMirror, AirServer, and Reflector may send compatible audio and video streams over AirPlay. The iTunes Remote app on iOS can be used to control media playback and select AirPlay streaming receivers for iTunes running on a Mac or PC. As of macOS 10.14, there is no public API for third-party developers to integrate AirPlay 2 into their macOS apps. However, there are third-party streamers such as Airfoil . In May 2019,

799-708: The Apple TV , and later added screen-mirroring and eventually support for a broad range of 3rd-party AirPlay-compatible speakers and AV equipment. Apple announced AirPlay 2 at its annual WWDC conference on June 5, 2017. It was scheduled for release along with iOS 11 in the third quarter of 2017, but was delayed until June 2018. Compared to the original version, AirPlay 2 improves buffering; adds streaming audio to stereo pairs of speakers (e.g. stereo pairs of individual HomePods; AirPlay and its predecessor, AirTunes have always been stereo); allows audio to be sent to multiple devices in different rooms; and control by Control Center,

846-479: The RCA connector used by almost all other manufacturers). Until 1989, the company's electronics could be identified by their heavy black aluminium casing. Since their replacement by the 'olive' range, the earlier vintages are known as 'chrome bumper' models. Electrically, the amplifiers are matched and designed to be used together. Naim warns against experimentation with other manufacturers' components, particularly in

893-578: The Windows 2000 operating system . The extensions made the protocol incompatible with implementations supporting the original standards, and this has raised concerns that this, along with the licensing restrictions, effectively denies products unable to conform to the standard access to a Windows 2000 Server using Kerberos. The use of proprietary instant messaging protocols meant that instant messaging networks were incompatible and people were unable to reach friends on other networks. Reverse engineering

940-434: The 1970s and 80s, Naim adopted a symbiotic relationship with Linn Products , and their names were often mentioned together. The two companies had almost the same sales and marketing strategy, and shared many of the same retailers/dealers. Vereker, the company's founder, was active in marketing and promotion, and appeared in the company's advertising. The company's shift to selling products through comparative demonstrations in

987-517: The 1980s, Naim maintained the position that the Compact Disc was an inferior medium compared to the vinyl gramophone record . This perspective guided Naim's product design during that period. The announcement in 1989 that the company was working on a CD player shocked the marketplace. The player, called the CDS, was unusual for a two-box device in that Naim put the digital–analogue converter in

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1034-546: The 2 second buffer period. The AirPort Express' streaming media capabilities use Apple's Remote Audio Output Protocol (RAOP), a proprietary variant of RTSP / RTP . Using WDS -bridging, the AirPort Express can allow AirPlay functionality (as well as Internet access, file and print sharing , etc.) across a larger distance in a mixed environment of wired and up to 10 wireless clients. At WWDC 2011 , Steve Jobs , then CEO of Apple Inc. , announced AirPlay Mirroring as

1081-412: The 2019 OLED, NanoCell SM9X, UHD UM7X, and LG NanoCell SM8X models. In September 2020, Roku added AirPlay 2 support as part of the 9.4 update on select 4K Roku devices. In April 2021, the 10.0 update added support for more Roku TVs and Players. During WWDC 2021 , Apple announced that macOS Monterey would include AirPlay receiver compatibility for compatible Macs. AirPlay and AirTunes can work over

1128-922: The EISA award for Best All in One System, 2018–19. The Mu-so range, introduced in 2014, has internal Focal speaker drivers. The brand upgraded its Mu-so all-in-one speaker range with the unveiling of 'second generation' models in 2019: Mu-so 2nd Generation and Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation, the compact version. In January 2024, the Uniti all-in-one player range was enhanced with the Uniti Nova Power Edition model. In 2023, Naim introduced an updated line of separate components called New Classic (200 and 300 Series), which includes an amplifier, preamplifier, and streamer/DAC. These devices can be combined to create an audiophile-quality audio system. During much of

1175-573: The Home app, or Siri, functionality that was only available previously using iTunes under macOS or Windows . AirPlay sender devices include computers running iTunes , and iOS devices such as iPhones , iPods , and iPads running iOS 4.2 or greater, and devices can send AirPlay over Wi-Fi or ethernet. OS X Mountain Lion supports display mirroring via AirPlay on systems containing 2nd generation Intel Core processors or later. In 2016, HTC released

1222-682: The Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition all-in-one system and the Focal for Bentley Radiance hi-fi headphones. In the same year, Naim developed an audio system for the Battista hypercar by Automobili Pininfarina. In 2023, Naim designed a top-of-the-range system for the Bentley's Mulliner division. The Batur, the most powerful car ever built by Bentley, was equipped with a Naim audio system comprising 20 loudspeakers manufactured by Focal. Naim's expertise has been sought after by car manufacturers and also in

1269-736: The audio component of AirPlay, much like AirTunes. Bluetooth devices (headsets, speakers) that support the A2DP profile also appear as AirPlay receivers when paired with an iOS device, although Bluetooth is a device-to-device protocol that does not rely on a wireless network access point. During the January 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, television makers Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony announced they would be producing sets with built-in AirPlay 2 receiving capability. LG announced that television models that are AirPlay 2-enabled will include

1316-461: The audio part of the protocol, enabling any computer to be turned into an AirPlay receiver for audio. However, because not all third-party receivers implement Apple's DRM encryption, some media, such as iTunes Store's own rights-protected music (Apple's own " FairPlay " encryption), YouTube , and Netflix , cannot stream to those devices or software. On Apple TV, starting with firmware 6.0, the DRM scheme

1363-579: The case for some " high-end " loudspeaker cables , whose L / C characteristics were said by Naim to present unstable loads to the high-current devices used in Naim power amplifiers. As with other brands such as Arcam and Cyrus, the company's instruction manuals state that "better and more consistent performance will be achieved if the system is left switched on for long periods." Reviewers have remarked on equipment sounding significantly better several weeks after being left switched on. Throughout much of

1410-402: The definitive end of the partnership. Naim began making loudspeakers and Linn expanded its range of electronic components. In 1987, Naim announced that chief designer Guy Lamotte had been working on a prototype electrostatic speaker design, and that a product launch was imminent. However, the product was never brought to fruition as it was cancelled due to escalating costs. In 1995, Naim announced

1457-612: The development of the Hi-Cap power supply and the −5 modifications to the company's pre-amplification (NAC42 and 32), the NAXO active crossover and the ARO uni-pivot tonearm (developed jointly with David Beck). Lamotte privately worked on a prototype electrostatic speaker design. It was brought into the Naim fold in 1987, after the Linn/Naim partnership ended. Roy George, who joined in 1985 and

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1504-515: The final output volume on the receiving end. This makes it possible to always send audio data unprocessed at its original full volume, preventing sound quality deterioration due to reduction in bit depth and thus sound quality which would otherwise occur if changes in volume were made to the source stream before transmitting. It also makes possible the streaming of one source to multiple targets each with its own volume control, and for volume adjustments to be applied instantly, instead of being delayed by

1551-589: The launch of the Armageddon power supply for the LP12. In 2008, Naim partnered with car manufacturer Bentley in the "Naim for Bentley" project, an optional upgrade in-car sound system. Naim produced the audio systems for several of the manufacturer's models, including: Bentley Flying Spurs (2020), Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Bentayga. To celebrate their exceptional partnership, in 2020, Naim and Focal introduced special edition products for Bentley Motors:

1598-597: The new company was £48 million. The Naim and Focal brands would continue to operate independently, while collaborating on R&D. The shareholders of Focal & Co are those that respectively owned the company prior to the merger (namely Jacques Mahul, CM-CIC and the management of Focal-JMLab and Naim), suggesting the merger being executed by an exchange of shares for shares in the holding company. No ownership statistics and no valuation were mentioned. In May 2014, French investors Naxicap Partners and French private equity firm Aquasourca announced they had acquired

1645-507: The private key used by the Apple AirPort Express to decrypt incoming audio streams. The release of this key means that third-party software and devices modified to use the key will be able to decrypt and play back or store AirPlay streams. Laird released ShairPort as an example of an audio-only software receiver implementation of AirPlay. Soon more followed and in 2012 the first AirPlay audio and video receiver for PC came with

1692-434: The protocol specification a trade secret . Some proprietary protocols strictly limit the right to create an implementation; others are widely implemented by entities that do not control the intellectual property but subject to restrictions the owner of the intellectual property may seek to impose. The Skype protocol is a proprietary protocol. The Venturi Transport Protocol (VTP) is a patented proprietary protocol that

1739-556: The protocols that AirPlay Mirroring uses have not yet fully been discovered, or reverse-engineered. However, an unofficial AirPlay protocol specification is available. Supported hardware (when using OS X Mountain Lion or later) includes any 2011 or later iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or the Mac Pro (late 2013 or newer). When the protocol was known as AirTunes, it was reverse-engineered by Jon Lech Johansen in 2008. On April 8, 2011, James Laird reverse-engineered and released

1786-581: The purposes of interoperability with other software. Naim Audio Naim Audio is a British hi-fi manufacturer based in Wiltshire , United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1973. Following a 2011 merger with French loudspeaker manufacturer Focal , Naim is owned by VerVent Audio Group. Naim began when Julian Vereker started Naim Audio Visual in 1969 and created a sound-to-light box that he hired out to film production companies. He designed his own power amplifier . The company Naim Audio

1833-686: The same box as the transport and audio circuitry, whilst keeping the power supply separate. The player saw two major revisions, the CDS2 (1998) and CDS3 (2002). Naim also made several less expensive single-box players such as the CD 5 XS (2009). As of 2023 , only the CD5si (introduced in 2012) continues to be made. Naim's Uniti range, introduced in 2009, provides access to various digital streaming sources and services; these products contain power amplifiers and are connected to external speakers. The Uniti Atom received

1880-533: The same year, Naim engineers developed custom electronics for the DIVA UTOPIA, Focal's first active, wireless, and connected speaker. The electronics feature class AB amplification, delivering 400 watts of power, and a new Naim Pulse Platform active module for high-resolution music streaming. In 1983, Guy Lamotte was hired as a designer. He completed the development of the NA T01 and NAT101 FM tuners and piloted

1927-468: The site director, and the brand's turnover reached 41.8 million pounds. Internally, the Naim design approach can be seen by their use of materials –– the semiconductors , heavy toroidal transformers , their attention to earthing, screening and isolation from electronic and mechanical interference, through to their preference for XLR connector , DIN connector and the BNC connector for phono (as opposed to

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1974-596: The time of his death, Julian Vereker held half of the share capital of the company. The other half was owned by employees, including Paul Stephenson who owned 20 percent. Vereker bequeathed his shares to be held in a trust of which Stephenson is trustee. In August 2011, Naim and Focal-JMLab announced a merger of both companies. Focal & Co., the new entity to be formed to own the existing operations, would employ 325 people in total at two sites, in Saint Etienne, France, and Salisbury, UK. Pro-forma annual turnover of

2021-530: The turnover of the Vervent Audio group amounted to 156 million euros. Formed in 1993, Naim Records is the label arm of Naim Audio. An outlet to ensure the release of high-quality audio recordings by Naim founder, Julian Vereker MPE, Naim Records was birthed of Julian’s passion for music itself and for 30 years, has been releasing music a focus on high quality recording quality and songwriting. From Sons of Kemet, Yazz Ahmed to Charlie Haden and Kurt Elling,

2068-438: The world of yachts. In 2017, the brand collaborated with Princess Yachts. In 2010, Naim employed 140 staff, with products exported to at least 40 countries and half of its £15 million turnover coming from export. One-third of the business was from CD players. In 2011 and again in 2017, around 60 percent of sales went to export markets. By 2016, the number of employees had increased to 170*, and later surpassed 200. At

2115-529: Was appointed Technical Director of Naim in 2000, is credited with designing many of Naim's products. In 2019, the parent company Vervent Audio Group expected to invest more than 8% of its sales revenue in research and development. The company, and its products such as the NAIT , NAC52 pre-amplifier, the ARO uni-pivot tonearm and the SBL (Separate Box Loudspeaker) have assumed cult status among devotees. The company

2162-533: Was headed by Vereker until his death in 2000, when Paul Stephenson, then Sales Director, became Managing Director until 2015. The company saw turnover increase from £6m to £20m and began digital streaming. Former R&D Director Trevor Wilson was Managing Director from 2015 to 2018. The business was then led by Charlie Henderson as Managing Director between 2018 and 2021, and by 2021 turnover had increased to £39   million, yielding profit before tax of nearly £5   million. In 2022, Cedric Magnaud took over as

2209-521: Was incorporated in 1973. The convention at the time – dating back to audio pioneer Edgar Villchur – It was believed that the loudspeakers determined the sound of a hi-fi system, and amplifiers were simply a means to drive the speakers. The first product Naim put on the market was the NAP160 power amplifier ; it was followed by the NAC12 pre-amplifier. The two-channel NAP 250 amplifier, launched in 1975,

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