Reprinted from TidBITS by permission; reuse governed by Creative Commons
license BY-NC-ND 3.0. TidBITS has offered years of thoughtful commentary
on Apple and Internet topics. For free email subscriptions and access to the
entire TidBITS archive, visit http://www.tidbits.com/


            AirPlay Now Available in 60+ IHG Hotels in North America

   Adam Engst

   [1]Apple writes:

     Starting today, guests staying at select properties from IHG Hotels
     & Resorts, including Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo,
     Candlewood Suites, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, can use
     AirPlay to privately and securely stream their favorite shows and
     movies on Apple TV+ and other popular streaming services, listen to
     personal playlists on Apple Music or other platforms, view vacation
     photos, practice a presentation, play fun games on Apple Arcade, or
     get a workout or meditation in with Apple Fitness+ on the big screen
     in their guest rooms. More than[2]60 IHG propertiesin North America
     are introducing AirPlay today, with others to be added in the coming
     months.

   To connect, you'll scan a QR code on the screen of a compatible LG
   hotel TV. Apple takes pains to note that every room gets a unique QR
   code and your connection is erased when you check out, ensuring that no
   one else can see your activity or piggyback on your account.

   [3]Apple announced the AirPlay in hotels feature at WWDC in 2023, but
   it didn't see the light of day until early this year, when it debuted
   in iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 (see '[4]iOS 17.3 Stands Out from Other
   OS Updates with Stolen Device Protection,' 22 January 2024). Nothing
   has been mentioned about using AirPlay from a Mac to play media or'more
   interestingly for many'extend the desktop, but I hope someone staying
   at one of these hotels can try it and report back. At WWDC, all Apple
   said was:

     With so much media at your fingertips on your iPhone and iPad, you
     can enjoy your content from anywhere, even when traveling. That's
     why we're excited about launching AirPlay in hotels. With AirPlay
     support in hotels, it's easy to take advantage of the big screen in
     your room to watch an episode of your favorite show or practice
     tomorrow's presentation. Pairing is simple. Just scan the QR code
     and tap the confirmation. That's it. You're automatically connected
     to Wi-Fi and ready to resume watching from right where you left off.
     AirPlay will be available in select hotels before the end of the
     year with more to follow.

   Apple was a few months off its promised date, but given the complexity
   of working with IHG to install compatible TVs and backend systems in
   numerous hotels, it's an understandable lapse.

   I can't see myself seeking out an AirPlay-equipped hotel purely for
   that reason, but all else being roughly equal, AirPlay support would
   tip the balance in favor of a specific establishment.

   [5]Read original article

References

   1. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/04/airplay-is-now-available-in-select-ihg-hotels-and-resorts-properties/
   2. https://www.ihg.com/appleairplay/
   3. https://hoteltechreport.com/news/apple-airplay-for-hotels
   4. https://tidbits.com/2024/01/22/ios-17-3-stands-out-from-other-%ef%a3%bfos-updates-with-stolen-device-protection/
   5. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/04/airplay-is-now-available-in-select-ihg-hotels-and-resorts-properties/

.