Since my top ten tech ideas are often too much to spend on gifts, I thought I would post some less expensive gadgets and stuff I have used or have bought and are on the way at the moment.  These are currently less than $50, but that could obviously change as the deals come to an end.

I am starting with ten items, but I will add more as we get closer to Christmas.  

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

16000mAh Emergency Weather Radio - This is a radio that plays AM, FM, Weather, can be hand cranked, can used Solar Power, but has handy features like Bluetooth and the ability to be used as a backup charger when electricity is out.  It also has a flashlight and reading light in the design.  It is also small and cute!

LAVA® Lamp - 14.5'' Vinyl Record Grooved Base - I just don't think you can have a cooler light than this yellow and blue lamp that has a base that looks like a record that was melted and shaped.  Nostalgia coolness.

Rechargeable Orange Mushroom Lamp - Speaking of cool lamps, I would also recommend this rechargeable mushroom lamp.  Cool when just plugged in, but great for taking outside for a late nightcap on the deck or just as a handy light source when the electricity is out.

Stanley Legendary Classic Pre-Party Liquor and Spirit Flask - Cool 8 oz flask from Stanley.  Of course, it is great for carrying whisky on a cold day, but I mainly got it for carrying water in the camera bag above when I am out and about and don't want to carry my whole thermos around all day.    

GIGALUMI Solar Garden Outdoor Statue- This elephant statue is very adorable and the light it gives off is great for dark areas in the garden, as well.  

Essential Oil Diffuser Waterless Aromatherapy Diffusers - I have had some aromatherapy devices in the past, but they required water, which to me was a pain.  With this diffuser, you just put in a few drops of essential oil and you are up and running.  

ProtoArc Foldable Keyboard with Touchpad, XK01 TP Folding Portable Keyboard, Full Size Keys - I wanted a foldable keyboard to take around to use with my iPad, since I do not want to use a case with a keyboard.  I much prefer the ESR case I have reviewed before that makes the iPad more tablet oriented.  This is full size keyboard with a trackpad that folds up to take anywhere. 

Super Universal Socket Tools - Okay, this is a very inexpensive item, but is a great addition to any toolbox.  I had a screw stuck in a wall and I could not get it out with a screwdriver, drill or even pliers.   Yet, I got this, popped it onto my drill and the screw was out of the wall in seconds.  

Shampoo Brush Hair Scalp Scrubber Head Massager- My wife came home from her hairdresser and was raving about this scalp scrubber.  I bought a couple (they are around $5 each - like the tool above) and they are life changing.  They can be used to massage the scalp, which is great stress relief, but can be used on the back, as well.  They are also for use in the shower.

VIKTOR JURGEN Back Massager, Neck Massager with Heat, Massage Pillow - I have tight legs and this provides great relief.  Other massagers seem to break our wear out sooner than this one.   

As in previous years (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), I am compiling a new list of my top tech products for 2024. This list encompasses my most preferred discoveries from the past year, regardless of their availability in prior years. By “tech,” I broadly include any novel gadgets, applications, or other useful items that I find captivating and/or practical.
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Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page and website.

Note:  I did a quick video (below), but you can scroll down for the article.

My personal favorite tech item of 2024 is the 12.9-inch M4 iPad. While I don’t need it for my professional needs, its OLED screen renders exceptional video, as a photo editor it is great..especially with the Apple Pencil Pro, and it  has exceptional general usage capabilities. Personally, I paired it with the excellent ESR case that I find more suitable than the Apple keyboard due to its enhanced flexibility and compatibility with various keyboards.  The light weight and thin design means that I use it more than any iPad I have owned since the iPad Pro 9.7.  It is also getting all of the AI features thanks to its M4 chip. 

The Wiim Ultra stands out as one of my most cherished devices of the year. It builds upon Wiim’s exceptional streaming platform, incorporating high-quality DAC performance and additional inputs to enhance its versatility. Notably, they have also added a bright LED display with some limited functionality and for displaying album art or a VU meter. For my needs, it is very versatile and I run a connection to it from several different audio products I have in the room.  If it had Airplay built in, it may have topped the iPad as my favorite tech, but not having Airplay in a streamer in 2024 is just too big of a shortfall to put it on top...in principle.  Though, I have numerous workarounds, so I still love the Wiim Ultra and I am happy to have it on my list.

While many discussions revolve around “shoe tech” in the context of basketball or other sports, I wish to highlight a different category of shoe technology. After enduring numerous slip-on house shoes over the past few years, particularly due to my current remote work hours, I decided to experiment with a pair of Birkenstock Boston Oiled Leather Habana clogs. After six months of use, these clogs have not only maintained their appearance but they have also begun to break in, becoming progressively more comfortable with each wear rather than just wearing out like most slip on house shoes.  The contoured cork-latex footbed is amazing and conforms perfectly to my feet.  

This year, a significant portion of the purchases were for my office, given the substantial time spent there. I opted to remove the double doors from an unused closet and install a 42-inch Huffy tool chest inside. This chest serves as a storage solution for my camera equipment and other technical gear. Its rolling design allows for convenient access to my router and provides ample top space for my camera bag and possibly a larger photo printer in the future.  The bonus is its great sturdiness and the ability to lock it when I am away from home.

Regarding printers, I acquired a Canon Selphy printer this year. This printer specializes in printing small photographs that I have integrated into a series of string lights, displayed on the refrigerator,  and I have also incorporated the photos into albums and picture frames.  This functionality enables us to enjoy the photographs in various settings, rather than always being locked into a device with a screen

To capture these photographs, a camera is essential. While I remain satisfied with my Sony A7 RIII and my iPhone, I did make a purchase of a Billingham Hadley 2020 bag that I have long desired. Although it carries a higher price tag, like many photographers, I have accumulated a collection of bags that remain unused, prompting me to invest in a bag that truly resonates with me. Additionally, I acquired a versatile wide-angle 17-28mm Tamron lens and a compact 35mm f/1.8 Rokinon lens, both of which are lightweight and ideal travel companions.

The AirPods Pro 2 have been added to my extensive collection of headphones, and they have proven to be exceptional. Their great sound quality, coupled with features such as noise cancellation, adaptive mode, and transparent mode, align perfectly with my requirements. I will often spend weekend mornings on the deck with my wife and coffee, but she will disappear to tend to bird feeders, garden, birdbaths, etc.  Having earbuds that transition from music to a conversion is really a dream come true for that situation.  I also like the fact that they pair with all of my other Apple stuff.  Notably, they have recently been enhanced with a hearing aid function which only adds to their versatility, though I am thankfully not in need of this feature yet.

In an effort to improve my overall well-being, I have been making a conscious effort to consume more water and reduce my intake of soda. However, I recognize that the filtration capabilities of my refrigerator are extermely limited. Consequently, I embarked on a search for a superior water filtration option and came across the Clearly Filtered pitcher. I believe it offers the most effective filtration process, after during a lot of research, and that results in great tasting water, while also enhancing the flavor of my espresso.  Note that this pitcher requires a new filter every 3 months, so be aware that there will be an ongoing expense to having filtered water without chemicals.  It is my most used tech of the year.

While I am not particularly inclined towards gaming, I did acquire a Gamesir G8 Plus controller. This controller is particularly useful when paired with the newly available game ROM applications on iOS. It seamlessly integrates with my iPhone, but what surprised me the most was its ability to be easily opened and used with a 12.9-inch iPad. While this functionality is not explicitly advertised, I encourage users to experiment with it at their own discretion, since this is not an advertised feature.  

Okay, so I went over ten, which isn’t unusual, since I try not to leave out the more useful products that I used over the year.  As you can see, I didn’t add a new iPhone or computer this year, which says more about the prior versions I own that are still doing a great job.  I do have a few things I purchased this year, that won’t be eligible for the list until next year thanks to the fact that they still haven’t been used, so hard to rate them. 

A few other products that didn’t make the list, but deserve two be mentioned:

OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock - I have this connected to two small SSD drives (that I often use for vacation photos) and my Samsung thunderbolt monitor.  If I want to quickly use an iPad or MacBook Pro, I can plug in one cable and have access to the screen and the drives.

Misting fan for outdoors - This was great to have by our deck in the summer.  

Rechargeable Orange Mushroom Lamp, Cordless LED Table Lamp 4000mAh Battery Operated Touch Dimmable Table Lights, Portable Wireless IP44 Waterproof Lamp - Great little companion to have in the office for when power goes out or just to get extra light into a drawer or area.  It is also nice to take out to the deck when we have people over after dark. 

​Apple AirTags - I got a few of these to pop into camera bags and into a wallet.   We also bought one to put in a cat collar, but the cat doesn’t seem to like wearing it, so I may find another use case for that one.

As I mentioned, I have three items that need review for next year… Jackery 2000 V2, Uplift Slim Drawer, and Rolling Jack Jeep top Lifter.  They are all in the queue, so  maybe they will make the list next season.   Other things on the list for next year is probably a new iPhone, other items to survive when our power is out, possible the Pizza Oven I was going to add this year, and my favorite.. things I have not even considered yet.  

I am really tired of the videos calling the iPad mini the best iPad.  It is actually a ridiculous thing to say while the same guys are complaining because the iPad Pro isn't a Mac.  

The iPad mini does not have an "M" chip.  It can't work with an external screen.  It still has "jelly roll".  It has huge bezels. 

I thought about cutting a video, but below says it better than I can:

I know some will say that it is the best form factor.  If that was true, Apple would offer a much better version of it.    

I know a lot of my readers come here for Apple content, so I thought I would just give a few reasons why I am sticking with my iPhone 14 Pro Max for another year.

3 year contract - I have another year on my contract for my last phone purchase.  It was the same situation when I got the 14 Pro Max, but this time, I decided not to dig into my pocket to pay it off early.  I should mention, late time it was around $350 or so that I had left, while this year, it is $544.  That being said, if they had a new, incredible feature that caught my eye like the 48 megapixel RAW files in the 14 Pro, I might still consider it.

Lack of features I care about - The button to make it faster to get to the camera isn't really needed.  I launch it from the sign in screen half the time.  

Ultra Wide lens update - most of the time, I use the regular lens, so this really doesn't mean a lot to me for my typical uses.  Would it be nice for those rare occasions?  Sure, but not $1500+$544 payoff nice.

Macro lens - I haven't shot macros in a while, but the 14 Pro Max does that pretty well.  I get out my main camera with a macro lens for more serious photography.

AI - My understanding is that many of these features won't be available at launch, but given my current working situation, it isn't enough to push me to buy a new phone.  I am working mostly from home and have a new iPad within arms length, so AI can be done on that if needed.  For stuff like emails, I would rather type those out on an iPad anyway.

Video features - I don't care about slow motion.  The new, better microphone would be nice, but I shoot all of my Youtube stuff with a Sony mirrorless camera.  

5x lens - Personally, I find the 3x on the 14 Pro Max much more useful.   5x just means I have to backup further for normal portraits.

I have been buying new lenses, a new camera bag, and other things to try to get me to spend more time with my Sony A7RIII (which is currently on loan to a friend in Africa).   I guess I want to try to get away from taking all of my photos with my phone.  Even with all of the features, the phone just doesn't have the same look as photos taken with the Sony and a good lens.  Maybe they are getting closer, but I am going to wait another year and see what they have to offer.  

I expect that some of the growing pains of AI will be sorted out and they will have to come up with a new camera feature to make this year's iPhone seem old.  Hopefully, that is 10x or something more useful than 5x.  

To me, other than AI, everything new is a bit of a ho hum.  If I was away from home a lot more, I might update for AI, but not with my current situation.   

This year, I have been focusing on adding a few things to my photography equipment and I hope to eventually start taking more pictures again.  I got out of the groove since we spend so much time at home now, but I want to give myself as much incentive as possible to get out and shoot.

While I love digital photos and viewing them on a screen, especially the new M4 iPad, there is still something to be said for analog.

I have been looking at some large printers like the Epson P700 and Canon Pro 1000 shown below (they just announced an update version of this printer) and they look amazing.  However, they both require a commitment to printing photos on a regular basis which has inherent costs.   Before I make that type of commitment without testing the waters, I wanted a test run (of sorts) with a small inexpensive printer first.   

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post

​Getting the Canon Selphy Printer up and running was fairly easy, though.  You scan a QR code to download an app to your phone, then you simply give it access to your iPhone's (which is the phone I used) photo library and start printing after running through a few steps to add the printer to your network.  

This has been a lot of fun right out of the gate.  I am not sure why, but something about holding a photo in hand makes it just feel more real.  It reminds me a bit of playing vinyl, but for me, photos make more of a difference because the entire experience is seeing it.  However, the tactile feel of both, with maybe a touch of nostalgia, provided a different kind of experience.

​I also bought a string of lights to hang in my open closet above the printer (photo of this at top of article) to show off some recent photos by clamping them to the string.  It will be so much fun filling up clips and then retiring a few to a photo album ( just added this one) and adding new photos along the way.  Of course, we also put some on the fridge and it is already putting a smile on my face.

As for a big printer, I am still going to hold off several months to see if I really want one.  The main issue will be just finding space for new, large photos, though we could afford to change out some old photos that we have had on display for years, so we will see how I feel in a few months.

With the Selphy printer, I also bought a kit that had a couple extra cartridges and extra paper.  I would recommend going this route to save some money up front and to not have to wait for this stuff to be delivered after you run out.   The initial cartridge, at least in my case, was empty after just a few photos were printed.

I am still trying to figure out the best settings.  They have a Selphy App that works on the iPhone for printing, but when I want to add the printer to my local WiFi, for printing from a Mac, the Selphy app no longer sees it.  That being said, I will mainly be printing from the app on my iPhone or iPad, but it’s nice to know I can switch to WiFi, if needed.  If I find a way around this issue, I will amend this post.  I believe Canon has a general app for printers, but I prefer the design of their Selphy app.

Outside of that, I just love the small footprint. It can fit just about anywhere you have a plug.  Actually, there is a battery you can buy separately, so I guess you could use it absolutely anywhere!  The photos look great from it and they are perfectly sized for clipping on a string, putting on the fridge, adding to a photo book, etc.  As I said, I will be doing all three.

Overall, I am really happy with this little guy.  Easy to use and great photos.   So far, I have mainly used it to capture personal memories and to hang them around to enjoy.   There is actually a lot of satisfaction in having a real photo in your hands.

The Pilates machine is nothing short of a miracle for many of its users.

Pilates can be done with or without the Reformer, but the design of the Reformer is incredible, since some heavy models sit in large gyms (above), while others can easily be slid under a bed or folded and rolled into a closet (below).  The main premise is lying on a bench and using bands and pulleys to strengthen the core, while stretching and strengthening other muscles.   It allows an individual to do several exercises while laying down, sitting, or kneeling which makes it perfect for those that have an injury or too much pain to stand up and exercise.

The beauty is that this machine can work every muscle while still, in the case with many of the designs, be put away when guests come by.  It can be ideal for someone living in a small apartment or someone without an extra exercise room, but still wants a full body workout.

My personal experience is with a foldable Aero Pilates 5 cord machine from HSN (similar 4 cord model here).  I have back problems and very tight hamstrings and calves from doing a desk job everyday and this was the best way to stretch them, while still doing resistance training.  This can provide a full body workout low impact workout.   The version I have is foldable, so it can be folded and rolled into a closet.  If you remove three pieces, it can fit under a bed, as well.

We just hit August, so I thought I would talk about some of my most invaluable gear this summer.  Of course, some of this is specific to my situation, but I am making this list long enough, so that it may give some an idea even if they aren't in my exact situation.  Of course, some of the items are great in all of the seasons, so this should not always be considered mutually exclusive.

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post

AirPods Pro 2 -  I jumped on the bandwagon when these came down in price during Amazon Prime sales.   My wife is a bird lover, so I usually don’t listen to my outdoor speakers when we are both out because she prefers hearing the birds chirp.  Anyone else have a significant other that will all the sudden say, "I hear a Chickadee"?  This happened in a Sprouts parking lot, recently. Personally, I like listening to music, but the transparent mode makes it easy to carry on a conversation as my music plays.  In other words, she can listen to birds and I can listen to Byrds.

Roll n' Jack Jeep top removal - I bought this while it was still available.  It seems to disappear for months on end.  In my opinion, this is safer and more flexible than a hoist.  I should know because I had a hoist installed by a local carpenter and it was great for a year.  All of a sudden, I was pulling down my jeep top onto the Jeep and the screw anchoring it came out of the wall!  Luckily, I wasn't hurt, but it left a small dent on my Jeep as a reminder.  This device isn't leaving anything to chance.  

Clearly Filtered Pitcher - Who knows the contaminants we are putting in our bodies by drinking water from the tap?   Also, I don’t like adding to the plastic in the world, so this served two purposes.  The water is cleaner and I don't have a need to carry around plastic bottles.  I also added a LARQ bottle to carry around when we leave the house.

Apple Watch Ultra - obviously this works great with AirPods (I mentioned above), but it is also nice in the pool since it works with laps and it even tells you the temperature of the water… in addition to all the other features use on a daily basis.

Kindle Paperwhite - great little reader I can take anywhere.  

Pool float - This is a necessity for my pool time.  This was the least expensive model I have seen, but still does the same job as those costing $50 more.

Morning coffee - there is just something perfect about morning coffee on the deck before the day gets too hot!  The photo below is from a trip.  At home, we use a Breville Espresso Machine.

Ninja Blender - smoothies! Yum!

Alpine outdoor speakers - when out in the pool, these add some nice ambiance.  

Canon Selphy Printer - so much fun to take photos and print them out as keepsakes.   

Misting outdoor fan - too hot, this offers some relief! 

Dolphin Pool cleaner - this makes the pool so easy to clean.  

Salt water - softer water with no red eyes! 

CRKT Squid Knife with Blade Assist - I often need a knife for opening salt bags, dirt bags, and many other things out in the yard.  Love the easy action on this little fella.

Crocs/Birkenstocks - My at home shoe combo.  When doing normal stuff around the house, I like the Birkenstocks and outside, especially in rain or when in the pool, I wear the always fashionable Crocs.  

iPod classic 160gb - when I want to completely unplug and chill.  I usually use with Ety ER4P earbuds or a pair of Grado SR60s with my 160GB iPod filled with Apple Lossless files.  

Weber Spirit S-315/Big Green Egg - the combo of a gas grill and smoker is awesome!

iPhone - the camera alone is worth the price of admission.  However, music, video, communication, etc.  Around here, even the flashlight comes in handy.

Sony camera/Rokinon - I thought about adding a smaller camera this year, but went with a smaller, 35mm f2.8 lens instead.   Love this combo for walking around during the summer. 

Good Bags -  for work, I carry a backpack.  For other stuff, I carry a Billlingham Hadley 2020 Pro camera bag.  I remove the insert if I am not carrying my camera.

Projector for movies - we have a projector for outdoors (below), but usually watch the 100 inch screen indoors.  Summer movie nights are fun.

Butcherbox - for the grill, it’s a pleasure to have good quality meat and seafood.  More food than gear, but its a necessity.

iPad 13 inch M4 - more vibrant than ever and easier to get stuff done outdoors.  The pencil is great for photography edits and notes, as well.

Sunglasses - When I have my contacts in, my two main sunglasses are probably 20 years old.  A pair of Raybans that wrap around the ears (great for bumpy Jeep rides, especially for hot days when the top is off) and below a pair of Persol sunglasses ( actually I have two pair - house and car).

Oakley glasses- when my contacts are out, I like having a pair of glasses that go indoors and out.  These have progeressive lenses, so covered without needing a pair of prescription sunglasses (though I have a pair from the Shaq line I keep in the Jeep for a possible emergency situation..I also keep a pair of past year's subscription glasses).  I need to be able to drive home if my glasses break or I lose a contact.

Cuisinart ice cream - make your own with less ingredients.

Fuji film camera - I have a film camera from 1965 that my dad handed down to me.  I have never used it, but I have a roll of film on the way, so looking forwarded to seeing if it it works. I have a more recent Canon P&S film camera here if the Fujika is a bust.  For summer, I always like to try something new and this year, one of those things is film.  

Adidas - These are probably my perfect summer shoe for leaving the house.  I bought a pair of Greats, that are better leather, but I still just prefer the iconic looks and the fit&feel of the Adidas.  

Game Controller - I am not a big gamer or anything, but with all the retro games coming to iOS and iPad OS, I was happy to have a controller that would fit my iPhone (in case) and my iPad (via an augmentation to the controller).

Pets and wife - Summer isn't the same without my little companions.

I am sure I left something off this list.  If I missed an essential, please let me know.  Enjoy your final days of summer!

Note:  I get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products in this post

This is my second installment of my " Elegant Solutions series".  Please read more about this series here.

When I bought my first DSLR, the incredible Canon 20D, I started looking for a decent camera bag. 

Over the years, I have purchased camera bags of all sizes, including hard case designs from Pelican.  But when I first saw the Billingham Hadley Bags, I was awestruck!  Something about it just screamed out elegance.

In 1973, the Billngham bags were first created for fishing and hunting.  However, when the owners got word that there were New York photographers using fishing bags for camera gear, a light went off and they started creating camera bags.  When they were featured in Practical Photography Magazine, they had enough orders to fill their order books.

At first, I just could not afford one of these beautiful bags, but I eventually added it to my Amazon wishlist, where it remained for years.  However, recently I found out it wasn’t just a pretty face, but also very functional.   The water proofing layer in its design is pretty incredible.  Who wants to get their expensive camera gear soaked?

The large pockets, the removable camera insert, and the fact that opening the bag doesn’t require the loud process of pulling apart Velcro.  It’s a more elegant process of unhooking leather from brass. 

With the elegant looks, the timeless design, the fact that it can be used as an overnight bag, and the overall functionality, it is impossible to look at the Billingham Bags and not think about the elegant design.  I recently bought the Hadley Pro 2020, so a review is forthcoming. 

I recently wrote a review of the WiiM Ultra Streamer.  A few comments on the article lead me to believe there are a lot of people that do not understand why anyone would want to use AirPlay with such a device.  Below is an answer to some of those questions.

As I mentioned, I mainly use my WiiM devices with Amazon Music.  It offers hi res audio when streaming from a device like a phone or tablet.  Wonderful!

So why would anyone want AirPlay when seamingly all my basis for streaming are covered with Amazon?

Well, reason number 1 is that when using iOS and iPadOS, AirPlay is built into the system.   As a result, the numerous audio apps, even podcast apps like Overcast, can send to an AirPlay device.  As a result, on these platforms, AirPlay has you covered.  In other words, AirPlay is flexible and not limited to one app.

Also, on iOS and iPadOS, you can link together any AirPlay devices you might own for multi room audio.  This is built into the control center of iOS and iPad OS.

Macs are similar, AirPlay devices show up right in the sound options.  Click an AirPlay device and audio flows to that device.  It is a very easy way of listening to have any audio playing through your sound system.  Sure, if you use Chrome on MacOS, there are workarounds with some apps that have web versions, but all audio apps I am aware of can use AirPlay.  

The same can be said of controlling things from the Apple Watch.  Even using Amazon Music, you can open the link to show the speakers you have available to send the signal.  All Airplay products are available right there on the watch screen.

What about Bluetooth?

There is no lossless version of Bluetooth.  Bluetooth has a more limited range and Bluetooth does not have the multi room capabilities built into these popular operating systems.


AirPlay is mp3 quality

Apple can use 256k AAC files when streaming from an AirPlay 2 device to another AirPlay 2 device.  The thing is, in some cases that won’t matter.  When listening to podcasts or a news article being read, as two popular examples, I don’t need lossless, but I just want it to play on my streamer and I don’t want the hassle of Bluetooth (which is usually not as seamless as Airplay on Apple devices).

Secondly, some apps, like Amazon ( at least as I write this) send out audio using AirPlay 1 protocol.  This will send to multiroom audio AirPlay 2 devices in a lossless format, up to 24/48k.  

When you share a house with someone it helps when things are easy to use.  AirPlay qualifies.  Airplay 2 can work with Siri and a HomePod without ever opening a phone “ Siri, play Beatles in cave”.


Apple Music

If data from 2022 still holds true, Apple Music is the second largest paid music streaming service in the world and USA.   I personally have a subscription to Apple Music and Amazon Music.  Why?  Apple Music, to my tastes, has a much better interface, works with Siri, works with CarPlay, and it’s bundled into other services we use.  It comes bundled with a family plan and my wife also uses it.  On top of the interface, it has music I matched available when I am away from home and it has playlists that we enjoy.  The AppleTV app also works with Siri.  

I have Amazon Music for hi res streaming to WiiM when I am in the mood.  The interface may be the worst of any I have tried.  However, it works for albums when I know what I want to hear and I like the Alexa integration (especially with the Ultra's remote).  It is also cheaper than Tidal and Qobuz with a Prime membership.

Why not just use Apple Music via direct connection? 

I had my iPad setup to play Apple Music via direct connection in my office for over a year and it gave me hi res lossless streaming in my favorite music app.  I still have it available and use it with the WiiM Ultra via a more direct connection. 

However, quite often, I would find myself trying to decide on whether or not I wanted to continue using the iPad for music or to take it off the stand and use it for note taking, editing photos, etc.  The old Wiim Mini in my office was my backup, but this device looks better, has a better DAC, and has a headphone output alongside EQ and PEQ.   Without all of these features, I would have kept the WiiM Mini in the space.  This also allows me to move the WiiM Mini to my headphone setup in the living room.   My old Yamaha WXC-50 isn’t compatible with Amazon Music, so this gives me that feature.  

Workarounds

The main workarounds to use AirPlay with the WiiM Ultra are to connect an AirPlay device to it or to use Multi-room audio in the mix ( you can AirPlay to a WiiM with AirPlay enabled and link it to the Ultra).   Personally, I dug an old  1st Gen AirPort Express out of a drawer and connected it to the optical input. 

I didn’t need multi-room audio for this setup, since the receiver in the room has an AppleTV connected and it also has AirPlay built in.  This will mainly be for headphone use and convenience since my receiver will inevitably sit on the Ultra Input most of the time. 

If you mainly listen on a Mac and want a way around the issue, outside of a direct connection, some audio apps have web versions of their music app.  For example, Apple Music and Amazon both have web versions of their music apps.  You can open them in a Chrome browser and Cast the signal to the Ultra.

Wrap Up

As I mentioned in the WiiM Ultra review, I have many options for getting an audio signal into the Ultra.   Will I be using Airplay very often?  No, I won't because I will mainly be listening to Amazon Music.  However, do I want the option available? Yes, I may want to stream a podcast or something to the Ultra and having an Airport Express feeding it, solves that problem.  Can I live without Airplay?  In this implementation I could, but why do that when it is so easy to add it, one way or another...at least with the devices I already have in my house?   I would not spend money to fix the issue, though. I would just deal with Bluetooth instead.