What you need to know
- Belkin is readying the launch of the "Belkin Soundform Connect."
- The audio adapter will bring AirPlay 2 to any compatible speaker.
- It will reportedly retail for around $120.
It looks like Belkin is bringing back one of the best features of Apple's discontinued AirPort Express. According to FCC Filings, the company is planning to offer the "Belkin Soundform Connect," an adapter that will allow users to stream audio from their Apple devices to any speaker with AirPlay 2.
As reported by 9to5Mac, Janko Roettgers, a senior reporter for Protocol, spotted the FCC filing and believes that the accessory will sell for around $100 Euros, which equates to about $120 U.S. dollars.
Looks like it will retail for around 100 Euros. pic.twitter.com/KwbwxNjxD0Looks like it will retail for around 100 Euros. pic.twitter.com/KwbwxNjxD0— Janko Roettgers (@jank0) February 24, 2021February 24, 2021
The adapter will reportedly be powered by USB-C and will feature both a 3.5mm audio jack as well as an Optical Digital Audio connection. Additionally, the accessory will support HomeKit, allowing users to assign their newly AirPlay-enabled speakers to different rooms in their home.
Based on FCC filings, the small adapter called "Belkin Soundform Connect" will be powered via a USB-C cable and will support audio output via a 3.5mm mini-jack port as well as Optical Digital Audio. Once you connect an audio device to the adapter, the iPhone, iPad, or any other Apple device will detect it as an AirPlay 2 speaker.
AirPlay 2 rolled out with iOS 11 back in 2017. The update to the standard allowed users to stream audio to multiple AirPlay-enabled devices at the same time, bringing Apple's own audio streaming experience up to par with services like Sonos.
Send audio to multiple AirPlay speakers at once, from anywhere in iOS. This lets you assemble a multiroom audio system from any compatible speakers, and control it from iOS's AirPlay controls or inside third-party apps.
While an AirPlay-enabled adapter coming back is a great thing that will bring the audio experience to more customers, there are also a lot more speakers, receivers, and soundbars that have AirPlay built-in.
