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iPhone Remote app + Airfoil + Airfoil Speakers = iTunes Heaven (UPDATED with AirPlay details)

(UPDATED 9/1/10: Apple introduced AirPlay today, the next incarnation of AirTunes wireless media streaming. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 4.2+ can wirelessly streaming of audio, video, and photos to Apple TV as well as other AirPlay-compatible hardware receivers.)

My iTunes library lives on our laptop, but I’m often on our other “big” computer and want to listen to those tunes. I could stream between iTuneses, but I want this listening to count — i.e. increment play counts, let me change star ratings, etc. You can’t do that with iTunes streaming.

But now, with 2 computers, a wireless network, an iPhone running OS 2.0+, four cross-platform apps (3 of which are free), and a little scotch tape, my dream is possible.

  1. You’ll need the following apps: iTunes, Rogue Amoeba’s Airfoil ($25), their companion app Airfoil Speakers, and Apple’s Remote for iPhone
  2. Open Airfoil Speakers on the destination computer.
  3. Open Airfoil on the source computer and select “iTunes” from the source list.
  4. In Airfoil, activate the connection to the Airfoil Speakers computer. (iTunes will launch or relaunch, and Airfoil will establish a digital link to the destination.)
  5. Get your iPhone on your Wi-Fi network
  6. Open Remote, select a tune, and press play!

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4 Responses to “iPhone Remote app + Airfoil + Airfoil Speakers = iTunes Heaven (UPDATED with AirPlay details)”


  • Fantastic, and it is actually in sync so you don’t get that annoying echo between rooms which I got previously using Squeeze Centre.

  • I am trying to do this on a single iphone using Airfoil Speakers Touch in the background. It works; however, everytime you use the Remote app to control itunes, the first few seconds of the song sound scratchy and out of sync.

    Do you think this is an airfoil issue or a wifi traffic problem? The good news is it settles down after just a few seconds. Its like there’s interference between the Remote app sending instructions and the Airfoil app receiving the stream.

  • Hi, is there no App which allows me to control (remote) and stream like airfoil in one app. Otherwise I have (streaming to the Iphone > cable to my stereo) to switch between the apps.

    Thank you!

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