With Apple’s next iOS 5 (operating system for mobile devices), Apple is also introducing a new function for the iPad 2. The so-called AirPlay Mirroring function allows users to stream video and even games to directly to the TV – wirelessly. This means that the iPad could serve as a media center or gaming console for TVs in the future.

Apple AirPlay Mirroring
Apple Ariplay has allowed you to stream video, music and photos to your TV (via Apple TV) over your wireless home network for some time now. Now Apple has announced the next step called AirPlay Mirroring.


With AirPlay you can see video and play games from the iPad on the TV

AirPlay Mirroring enables you - as the name suggests - to"mirror" content on the iPad 2 screen on a flat panel TV in the living room. But underneath the surface lies a far greater potential; the function allows developers to incorporate a range of AirPlay features into third-party Apps.

First and foremost you have the option to use AirPlay Mirroring for streaming video or music to your living room TV with the push of a button on Apple’s devices. And that makes, for example iPad 2, act as a media center.

Second, AirPlay Mirroring can be incorporated into games and even though the new function is not yet available (it will be with iOS 5) game developers have already looked at the new possibilities.


With AirPlay you can see video and play games from the iPad on the TV

The developers of Real Racing 2 HD have incorporated the function into the racing game, making the iPad 2 a steering wheel, while streaming the racing experience to the TV. In this way Apple and developers are opening a whole new world of gaming with iPad 2 as a gaming console. However, it is still unclear how Apple plans to deal with the small latency issues.

See this video that demonstrates an early version of AirPlay Mirroring with Real Racing 2 HD (from Engadget.com).

Apple AirPlay Mirroring is supported in iOS 5 that will be released in September. iPad 2 supports AirPlay Mirroring and iPhone 5 (or 4GS) is expected to also support the function. Besides that it requires the Apple TV box. So ,with this new functionality the iPad can prove to be an interesting addition to the flat panel TV experience at home.