ihome iw1

Here's an update from iHome:

This issue seems to occur when iTunes is streaming to "multiple speakers". For example, if you are streaming the internet radio station to the iW1 AND playing it on iMac speakers that constitutes "multiple speakers".

1. Confirm that you're indeed streaming to multiple speakers by looking at the AirPlay icon in the bottom right corner of iTunes. It might say something like "2 Speakers".

In the case of streaming to "multiple speakers" we have found that iTunes will attempt to reestablish the connection with the iW1 after powering off using the Power button on the top panel. If you stream to the iW1 only, then you'll find that pressing the top panel Power button will turn the iW1 off and keep it off.

Our development team is addressing this issue with Apple.

Here's an update from me:

Per iHome's explanation, in ITunes Multiple Speakers I disabled all but the iHome iW1 speaker.

Then the iW1 stays off when I press the iW1 Power button.

Then when I press the Power button again, the iW1 turns on (the lights all light up), but no sound comes out!

I must go to iTunes and disable and enable the iHome speaker in order to get sound. Incidentally, it's not that simple since iTunes won't let me disable the only speaker that is currently enabled. I must first enable a second speaker (Computer); then iTunes lets me disable and enable iHome; then disable the other speaker (Computer). Fun.

It's a FEATURE! iHome says:

What you are experiencing is standard AirPlay device behavior. When you power down the iW1 it's required to "remove itself" from the active stream with iTunes. The only way to begin (or re-initiate) an AirPlay stream is from an AirPlay source (ie. iTunes, or an iOS device). You cannot initiate a stream from the iW1 itself (or join an existing iTunes stream, for that matter).

I can recommend that you PAUSE the stream (from the iW1) instead of powering down. Then, you should be able to resume play by pressing PLAY on the iW1.