New Apple TV to kill some intended uses of Airport Express?

[noodlephoto]

For anyone that was purchasing (or intended to purchase) an Airport Express to extend audio into multiple rooms, the new TV seems to be a better option if this was your only intended use of the device. At retail, they are the same price and from an audio distribution standpoint you're getting the same (relative) features. The upside to the TV is that you also get a video distribution point now too.

If you were using the Airport to extend your wireless network, connect a USB printer, or travel for when you goto hotels that do not have wireless (stayed at 2 major chains this year that didn't) then it still has a purpose. But to buy 5 or 6 around you house, probably not so much anymore.

 

[steviem]

I would guess you are getting better features too, unless they update the express.

I want to be able to choose to listen to different music in different rooms, which doesn't seem to be possible with the airport express.

Saying that, I already have an airport express...

 

[kiranmk2]

They could have combined the ATV and express really easily. After all they are both around the same size. Slap an HDMI, audio/optical output, network and usb port on the back, integrated plug (so the unit can be hidden out of sight) and bundle a Bluetooth low power remote and you've got a device that can do everything an ATV can, but also extend you wifi network and host a hard drive/printer (probably not much call for a printer by the TV, but you never know)!