The AirPort Express, is a portable wireless base station that uses the 802.11g standard and plugs into a power outlet. It has connectors for a DSL or cable modem, a USB port for printing and an analog and digital audio output that can be connected to a stereo.

It uses AirTunes music networking software to wirelessly stream music over remote speakers or a stereo. SnApple's iPod users apparently had been asking to a more effective way of connecting the online Juke box to a proper sound system rather than having to listen to music on their computers or on their reassuringly expensive iPods.

iTunes 4.6 detects a stereo or speakers and displays them in a pop-up list for users to select. Transmissions are encoded to stop someone nicking your content as it wings its way to your stereo. AirPort Express costs $129 and will hit the shops in the US in July. µ