Pretty slick

I upgraded my iPhone 4 to iOS 4.2 yesterday. This is the new operating system (OS) for recent iPhones, iPods and the iPad. The upgrade is a major overhaul for iPads; most of the changes had already been made for iPhones and iPods. In all cases, it is free.

But one new feature for all of the devices is Air Play.

With a $99 Apple TV connected to your television and/or home theater, you can play the media on your handheld device on your TV (and/or sound system).

• Want to listen to the music that’s on your iPad/iPhone/iPod, let it fill the room.

• Want to show photos to your visitors, show them on your 50-inch HDTV.

• Want to watch that movie you ripped from a DVD, play it on your home theater (directly from your i Pad/Phone/Pod).

Now there have been various ways you can do all this with computers and iPod docks, but this is the beginning of the way it should work. Wirelessly, for one (this discussion assumes a wireless home network).

In addition to the Apple TV, you’ll also need an HDMI Cable and, if you want separate sound, a Toslink Digital Audio Optical Cable. And your TV and/or receiver will need to accept these cables. The Apple TV will also stream media directly from iTunes on your computer.