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Capable of streaming audio from any Mac (or PC) to an AirPort Express, Apple TV or another Mac, Airfoil now enables an Apple TV remote or, via AirPort Express, a Keyspan Express Remote to control iTunes and QuickTime Player on the host Mac. The remotes can be used to sennd basic controls: play or pause iTunes or QuickTime Player as well as moving back and forward in tracks in iTunes.

The update also improves support for the <

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new 802.11n version of AirPort Express, providing full password support and improved audio syncing.

Airfoil 3.2 is a free download for existing users; a free demo version is available.

The update coincides with new figures from research firm NPD which show that Apple took a 10.6% share of the 802.11n Wi-Fi market in the US last month.

Apple's AirPort Extreme Base Station is the top-selling high-speed router, while the acclaimed Time Capsule is the number one network attached storage (NAS) device.

The company's retail stores are a major factor, according to NPD analyst Stephen Baker. Apple is selling AirPort hardware to new Mac buyers without any competition.

"This stuff is just flying off the shelf in the Apple stores," Baker said. "They [Apple] don't get nearly enough credit for the value proposition that the stores bring."

Apple may soon be seeking to claim a stake in next-generation wireless technologies, such as the much-touted WiMAX. The company recently advertised for an engineer with experience in wireless technologies, including mobile TV, WiMAX and Ultrawideband (UWB), 3G, Bluetooth and GPS.