Apple, Palm hear privately from USB-IF on iTunes spat, involvement unlikely (update: the Forum's not pleased)
Update: Digital Daily has come away with a very, very different story from the actual leaked communication, and it turns out that the USB-IF has actually sided against Palm on two different fronts. First, the Forum has told Palm that it doesn't see how blocking Palm's Vendor ID from accessing iTunes violates its policies; and second -- this might be the big one -- Palm's actually riled up the Forum by saying that it'll be using Apple's Vendor ID on the Pre going forward. It wants a clarification of Palm's "intent" within a week, saying such a move would be contrary to the rules and regs set out for the proper use of USB. At this point the question becomes, how many companies and industry bodies is Palm willing to piss off to keep iTunes working exactly the way it wants?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ecco6t9 @ Sep 22nd 2009 6:45PM
Apple isn't evil why???
Although I do stand behind them 100% it doesn't mean I agree with them.
Colonel Kernel @ Sep 22nd 2009 7:23PM
You're right, Chris, Palm is not "doing it the same way as everyone else;" they are doing it the RIGHT way.
The technical issues of what can be done are irrelevant. The truth that iTunes and iPod/iPhone connection is not completely closed is rendered moot by the common belief that the opposite is true. Engadget's readers know better, yes, but Palm is after their "fat middle" who don't know any better.
That being said, it's annoying and dissapointing that Music Sync is the perceived delay in webOS 1.2. Still, webOS has been out for mere months and has been updated several times already. At this pace, everyone's "wish list" should be completely filled long before the year is up.
Gamer Radar @ Sep 22nd 2009 9:50PM
lol.. I don't see why Palm just doesnt spit some money at Apple and say "Here, we'll pay you to allow us to us iTunes" and explain why it would work (ya know have iPod in the Palm, and kind of give the WebOS an Apple take on music with iPod/itunes branded only apps (Give apple alot of money when ppl are buying from the iTunes store more)
or you know.. say "Hey whats up Micros[uck]oft.. Whats going on, I know you have your Zune and all, but would you mind sharing your music marketplace, we'll pay you" lol.. Take that Apple -.- (i love my iPhone tho, so yea......... )
Epsilon-Not @ Sep 22nd 2009 10:17PM
Where does Palm get this mysterious money, though? Unlike Apple or Microsoft, they don't have tens of billions of dollars lying around- or even much less than that, IIRC their operations are essentially dependent on funding from Elevation Partners. (Getting better now, but I don't think they're out of the darkness yet)
Restroom @ Sep 22nd 2009 10:27PM
Good for Palm, dying star though they are, for spinning up like that. Why they chose to take the fight to an impotent authority (and I use the word very narrowly defined) I don't quite get, but perhaps it's best that there are no such groups endowed with any authority.
I just find it sad that enough people are actually _using_ itunes that Palm had to give it any consideration in the first place. What they ought to do is code an in-box app of their own that a user loads their itunes crap into initially, then helpfully steals/migrates everything that itunes manages, hands it over to a decent media app, then purges the device of all traces of apple's code. And leave loopholes in the migration app so that some unaffiliated member-of-the-public third party can release an unsupported patch or plugin for, which might strip off any DRM apple put on, right at initial import.
Anon Imus @ Sep 22nd 2009 10:40PM
Wow.. So the USB-IF is gonna, *gasp, make Palm take the USB symbol off the box.
Was it even on the box? Cause you didn't look.
I like iTunes / Palm syncing. It works well.
With that said I wonder how hard it would be to devop a media app of their own.
With the Pixi and I'd assume more WebOS devices being released this is going to need a permanent resolution soon.
Us "early adpoters" may be more forgiving but mainstream users won't like these "games".
will54880 @ Sep 22nd 2009 10:48PM
Come on, Palm, do you want to compete against Apple, or be in bed with them?
Colonel Kernel @ Sep 22nd 2009 11:31PM
Even if Palm did have the cash to do it, Apple either wouldn't do it or price it too high.
Colonel Kernel @ Sep 22nd 2009 11:34PM
That was an intended reply for Gamer Radar.
Colonel Kernel @ Sep 22nd 2009 11:42PM
I'd feel better if I knew Palm's endgame. The USB-IF was but the first agency that Palm could make its case with and I guess it's not too suprising that Apple has done no wrong in their eyes.
Sandeep @ Sep 22nd 2009 11:52PM
Apple is learning from Microsoft to use its application (ie/itunes) to fight off potential or current rivals!!
Microsoft RULES!!
dlvgroup @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:55AM
When the Palm Pre comes on iTunes, It comes on as a iPod. It says Palm Pre but it has a iPod symbol. Why don't they just come on like everybody else does? Even Blackberry comes on with a Blackberry symbol and all the other Mp3 devices do also. They are just being cheap!
rusty @ Sep 23rd 2009 8:29AM
Blackberry has developed media sync which works fine with Itunes. Why cant palm do the same?
Tony @ Sep 23rd 2009 9:49AM
Because Apple is being a cocky bastard and PURPOSLY blocking the Palm Pre from iTunes, which is really effed up. Who can we complain to? The Better Business Bureau? this is like i released a new mp3 player and then Apple turns around and blocks my device from syncing in iTunes. It has been proven that they intentionally blocked the Pre in iTunes, MULTIPLE times.Apple is playing a childish game. Maybe they feel threatened???!!
SuperH @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:08PM
Tony: How would you like it if someone developed a piece of hardware, and hijacked your software - which you put a lot of research and development (R&D) capital and resources into, for its interface, without your explicit permission?
Unfortunately for Palm, I think that it is very clear that Apple is right to authoritatively block Palm from having their devices sync with iTunes. Palm has paid nothing into the development of iTunes, nor have they requested permission from Apple to use their software. At this point, if I were Apple I wouldn't even CONSIDER allowing Apple to sync with iTunes, even if they offered "one million dollars".
***Raises finger to mouth...
I wish I could side with Palm on this, but I just can't. It wouldn't be ethical, knowing their past behavior about this issue.
SuperH @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:09PM
I meant "allowing Palm to sync with iTunes."
Epic fail.
daniel s @ Sep 23rd 2009 12:56PM
Apple can do whatever it wants, they developed itunes and they can choose what devices are compatible. Obviously they don't want the Pre advertising itunes syncing, cause in turn that'll take away sells from the iphone. There is no law saying your product has to compatible with everything in the market. It's called competition people, itunes is one of apple's biggest products that they've put on a pedestal: #1 music shop. Why would they want a phone that is obviously meant to compete with the iphone to sync with itunes? It doesn't make sense, it wouldn't be a smart business move right now, maybe in the future though.