Apple's AirPlay feature is a convenient technology for sending audio to various devices. If you are on the same wireless network as the device then it will be available to your Mac, iPhone, or iPad to play music via iTunes, or even be used as a general audio appliance for system sounds.
In general, AirPlay devices are hardware accessories like routers such as Apple's AirPort, or media appliances like the AppleTV. However, if you are not willing to shell out about $100 or more for a new AirPlay and you have an old Mac lying around (especially a Mac Mini), then one option is to turn it into an AirPlay hub.
AirFoil running will wait for iTunes or another program to use it as an audio device.
(Credit: Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET)
To do this, simply connect the Mac to an audio system or a set of external speakers. While you might attach the Mac to a television to have some sort of display for it, this is optional if you enable Screen Sharing on the Mac. By doing so in the Sharing system preferences, you can access it through another Mac or with a VNC client on a Windows or Linux machine, and be able to configure it over the network.
Another detail you might consider is to enable automatic log-in, which can be enabled in the Users & Groups system preferences in the "Log-in Options"... [Read more]
by Topher Kessler via CNET
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