It has been something we have been talking about for months because there had been some indications from some betas of iOS 11, but with the update that Apple has just released for the AirPort Express has already been confirmed: it is compatible with AirPlay 2.
These small WiFi repeaters that were a true technological innovation in another era but that Apple left in oblivion and are now discontinued They just received a firmware update that makes them AirPlay 2 compatible, so they can turn your normal speaker into one that supports the Apple protocol.
Apple sold the AirPort Express as perfect complements to its AirPort Extreme, since with hardly having to configure anything you could expand your WiFi network, anticipating in many years what the now famous MESH networks can do. But they were also ideal devices for your music equipment, since its 3,5 jack connection allowed the sound to be transmitted via AirPlay.
After this update that same jack can be used to make your "normal" speaker compatible with AirPlay 2, and that means that it will automatically be compatible with Siri. You can stream music to that speaker with your voice, without having to touch your iPhone, as if it were a HomePod. Maybe it's time you dusted off your old AirPort Extreme and plugged it into your stereo, because without investing a single penny you will have a Siri-compatible speaker.
In order to install the update, you just have to open the «AirPort Utility» application on your Mac or iOS device and wait for it to appear that it is available. After a few minutes the router will restart and will be up to date. Once updated you must open the Home application and add the AirPort as an accessory, assigning the room of your house that corresponds, so that Siri recognizes it and you can transmit the music.