What’s Playing?
Apple and Starbucks have this nice joint feature/service: if you like the music that’s playing while you daintily sip your grandé double half-caf mocha Frappuccino™, you just open up iTunes.app on your iPhone. You’re automatically logged into the Starbucks WiFi network (just for this narrow purpose, natch), and you get a handy-dandy icon to click and see what’s playing right now, and buy the music if you so desire.
So, I’m thinking. iTunes, Airport Express, and AirTunes. I’m working in an office with several other people who have access to the AirTunes setup. Music’s playing and, ok sure, I could get up and go ask what’s playing…but more often than not, we’re all kinda intent on maintaining focus until lunchtime or after work. Wouldn’t it just be great if iPhone could poll the Airport Express to find out what’s playing?
Make it a “conditional button” in iTunes.app (just like Starbucks) and only appear when:
- You’re connected to the same network as the Airport Express
- AirTunes is playing
- You’re not the one streaming the music (this condition could be omitted, if it’s handled right)
Seems like a pretty good opportunity to further improve the integrated Apple experience.
