Apple to license AirPlay video streaming tech?

Apple is considering licensing its AirPlay video streaming technology to consumer electronics companies, letting them build devices that could accept streaming movies, TV shows, and other video content from iPods, iPhones, and iPads, according to a new report. Citing two people familiar with the project, Bloomberg reports that the new venture would allow AirPlay support to be built directly into TV sets, removing the need for an external Apple TV set-top box. One of the sources cited said devices compatible with AirPlay video streaming could be available later this year. Apple currently only licenses its AirPlay audio streaming technology, and then to only a handful of companies, which pay Apple $4 for each device sold that offers the functionality, according to the report. The report adds, interestingly, that Apple’s licensing agreements prevent video from being streamed, even though the technology is there to do it.