We're still not 100 percent clear what Apple's next move is, but we do know they're a
little more than nonplussed about
Pre's ad hoc iTunes syncing methods. Despite Cupertino's update to its support site last night, Palm seems unconcerned, as relayed by a spokesperson to
Digital Daily. In a statement, the company said disabling the sync "will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience" and that "there are other third-party applications we could consider." In other word, it'd be Apple's loss. We're not quite sure we agree there, nor would we really think "stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre" method is really the best suggestion, but hey, we're not the multimillion dollar phone manufacturer here. We anxiously await to see if and when this cold war is turned up a few notches.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TroyJmorris @ Jun 17th 2009 5:21PM
Apple is losing a lot of steam with the hardcores. They're turning into their old bullying selves, now that they're headed towards the top. It happened 20 years ago (yes, other factors should be considered too) and in this post-Google world, a lot of folks don't have patience for this sort of ego. I'm debating getting a new library system as well, iTunes isn't as powerful as I want when it comes to tracking things and buying music on their store is actually pretty damn stupid.
Billium @ Jun 17th 2009 6:35PM
Who really cares? If connecting to the Pre is "broken" in a future update to iTunes I'm sure there will be a work around. Since iTunes music is unprotected now it would be easy to write a utility like what Nokia does for the Mac and transfer the music over.
Right now I really don't think Apple is too worried about Palm, they just like messing with them. Palm has always been a haven for ex Apple employees dating back to the Newton (early 90s) so it ends up being sibling rivalry more than anything else.
paultakeda @ Jun 17th 2009 6:53PM
>> If connecting to the Pre is "broken" in a future update to iTunes I'm sure there will be a work around.
Future update? No need. Workaround's already exist: http://www.palmpreitunes.com/.
fr4nk1yn @ Jun 17th 2009 6:59PM
Why would you not agree to it being Apples lose?
WebOS phones. I'll assume this wouldn't be a Pré only feature, would open a larger user base.
More users is more sales. I have not used iTunes regularly until the Pré. I'm starting to actually like it and will most likely start buying music there.
If the Pré goes another syncing route then it will be everyone's lose.
I actually like the ease of iTunes syncing.
kwoz @ Jun 17th 2009 7:18PM
Blackberry has sw to sync with iTunes, why no talk of that? Seems odd that only the Pre is getting hassled.
Doax @ Jun 17th 2009 9:04PM
Lol. Apple....so much like a dictator.... I can't wait for their own greed to ruin them. Infact I'm about to go buy a Pre just to spite apple and show support for palm.
Colonel Kernel @ Jun 17th 2009 9:07PM
Silly comment that Apple doesn't test non-apple products.
cesar @ Jun 17th 2009 11:01PM
losing a lot of steam? apple has always been this way and it's why they're what they are. they shouldn't change to please anyone. their business model is flawless right now
Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 18th 2009 5:15AM
Apple can't make much on itunes sales really so I can't see how they'd really be losing out.
Achilles @ Jun 18th 2009 9:48AM
Since Rubenstein (Ex-Apple Ipod Division head) took over the CEO spot at Palm, this will probably be more about a rivalry than anything else.
As Kwoz said above, RIM syncs with iTunes but you don't hear any talk about that? Lol.
Tor Slettnes @ Jun 18th 2009 12:57PM
Politics aside, the way that the Palm Pre misrepresents itself as an iPod is from a technical standpoint a very poor, shortsighted design. The way the iPod interacts with iTunes is not a published specification (unlike, say, the API that Nokia Multimedia Transfer relies on to interact with iTunes) - and so to rely on it is bound to backfire sooner or later.
It's a little bit like the various Office suites out there (iWork, anyone?) that claim Microsoft Office compatibility - while in the real world it is incomplete, buggy and only effective until Microsoft releases the next version of Office.
A published specification is a binding contract. Anything short of that is off limits - trying to reverse engineer formats and protocols is very, very hacky.
Nate @ Jun 25th 2009 3:55PM
Apple is missing the boat here. With iTunes syncing, there is a good chance I would buy mp3s off of itunes and sync them to the pre. With this feature broken, I will just download songs from the Pre's built in link to Amazon. Great way to lose a customer !!
g @ Jul 15th 2009 9:41PM
@TroyJMorris: Post-Google world? LOL... thats the funniest thing I've heard all week. Enjoy the twitter search engine mate ;)