Apple says iTunes syncing only for Apple devices, looks sternly at Palm
by Nilay Patel 
posted Jun 16th 2009 at 8:08PM
Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.Here's where it gets interesting: since the Pre identifies itself to iTunes as a bog-standard iPod, Apple would have to actively code in a USB node check to actually block syncing, which is just a little bit more aggressive than the "software changes over time" mentioned here. We'll see if Apple decides to engage in a cat-and-mouse with a company now run by the former head of the iPod division -- we've got a feeling this could get messy.
[Via Daring Fireball]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
masterhalo @ Jun 16th 2009 8:13PM
It has already begun
GOG @ Jun 17th 2009 5:47PM
Death to Apple!
Flare576 @ Jun 16th 2009 8:20PM
I'm no lawyer, but I think if you actively ensure your product doesn't work with another companies, isn't that "Refusal to deal" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refusal_to_deal)? Now, if Apple does, in fact, release new functionality that causes the Pre (or any other device it doesn't explicitly support) to stop functioning, that's one thing, but if they release something like
if(device.profile=="PalmPre"){
throw(new CriticalErrorr());
}
I think that's against the law. Again, not a lawyer, but I'd like to hear from Nilay :)
haX0r @ Jun 16th 2009 8:35PM
You're talking "anti-trust" issue. Just like what happened to Microsoft. Somebody made a mention on one of Engadget posts that was pretty smart. Basically said that the judge would throw it out of court because Apple was making money on it via iTunes and Palm wasn't. Either way, someone over at WinAmp with make a work-around and TaDa, you have syncing without the bloatware of iTunes.
LenH @ Jun 16th 2009 10:43PM
What does "refusal to deal" have to do with the USA? Nothing.
Periks19 @ Jun 16th 2009 8:29PM
Well if apple does this they are screwing themself over with itunes music and video purchaches. I buy music from itunes if they block this then I guess ill just have to start buying with amazon then.
Billy THERE U R! @ Jun 16th 2009 8:41PM
Exactly the Reason I switched from iTunes to solely Amazon MP3 Exclusively. Apple loses More and More People everyday. Eventually they won't be able to afford all the Losses due to their very own ignorance. Simple as that.
nthn @ Jun 16th 2009 8:46PM
I can't wait until it gets messy. I can see Apple getting catty like this though.
marco @ Jun 16th 2009 9:06PM
Screw Apple over! They have done it to there customers for too long.
estrouse @ Jun 16th 2009 9:40PM
HA! Apple is going to bury themselves over time with amazing new products coming out like the Pre and future amazing MP3 players like the Zune HD (yeah, argue it... google it first and watch the videos) if they continue to alienate their services to only their products. I mean, c'mon now, do they care that much!? Why does it matter if they are able to sync music with a non-apple product!? They are trying to form a monopoly which people will recognize and boycott... but hey, they know what they're doing, right?
Mike @ Jun 17th 2009 1:24AM
You are absolutely right. If the Europeans sued Microsoft and forced them not to include IE in windows 7, I say do the same with Apple as well if they do block itune for their player only.
Jason @ Jun 16th 2009 9:47PM
Yep, that's why I use doubletwist :-) http://www.doubletwist.com
strat @ Jun 17th 2009 12:07AM
If I were in QA at Apple, I'd almost certainly ask that they put that disclaimer in, even if I thought it was a cool feature. At a minimum Apple is setting expectations, which is totally appropriate in a consumer product market.
As a Mac and Pre owner I certainly hope they don't muck it up, but I'm not sure they'd go out of their way to do so. I do believe that the hardware business for iPods, and perhaps more importantly, iPhones is such a large part of their revenue stream (vs the Store) that they're looking seriously at this situation in any event.
Roland Dobbins @ Jun 17th 2009 4:40AM
The way Palm did this was dumb, and bound to draw wrath from Apple. They're idiots for having done it this way.
Before I switched to the iPhone 3G (I bought one of the first unlocked-from-Apple units in Hong Kong), I synced my Nokia E-series phones w/iTunes just fine via this nice little app from Nokia:
http://europe.nokia.com/get-support-and-software/download-software/nokia-multimedia-transfer/how-to/transfer-from-itunes
Worked great, no hassles, no Apple angst. Palm are stupid.
aoi tsuki @ Jun 17th 2009 6:18AM
Where are all these people who'll practically bring Apple to it's knees as some of you are alluding to? They surely can't be the masses who blindly follow Apple and Google because they've bought into their slick marketing and products, while proclaiming Microsoft, sorry, *Micro$oft* to be the sole devil in Silicon Valley.
billium @ Jun 17th 2009 8:32AM
Dude MS isn't in Silicon Valley at least HQ.... Last time I checked they were in Redmond Washington and yes they are very very evil!
Ari @ Jun 17th 2009 9:34AM
The only thing i use Pre with Itunes for is podcasts (since lets face it battery life isnt strong enough to rock out all day) so i plan on keeping itunes at v8.2 and disable upgrades to make sure i dont lose functionality on at least one computer in my house. I get a kick out of seeing Palm Pre in itunes every time!
Sinosure @ Jun 17th 2009 10:56AM
I could give a damn about iTunes anyway! I don't use it! My Pre can download MP3's for ringtones or music playing, so who needs iTune sync?!
meditation @ Jul 1st 2009 10:31PM
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