[Mark Hodgkinson]

Wi-Fi Direct arrives

Klipsch has announced that its G-17 Air AirPlay iPhone/iPod speaker system now supports Wi-Fi Direct, that will allow users to stream music from their portable devices to the G-17 Air, even when there is no router-based wireless network available nearby.

Available via Klipsch's free set-up App (downloadable from Apple's App store) the Wi-Fi Direct feature allows a single user to stream their tunes from anywhere up to 30 feet away from the G-17 Air. If you move your iPhone/iPod out of range the G-17 Air remembers your device and reconnects when you get back within range.

Naturally, AirPlay operation is also available when you're within range of your home wireless network but if you want to use the G-17 Air while outside (in the garden, on a campsite etc) Wi-Fi Direct will prove a useful extra feature. The G-17 Air is also compatible with Android-based smartphones and tablets when using the Android music player application.