Right before the launch of the Palm Pre, the press was buzzing about a feature that had remained quiet until that time: That the Palm Pre can sync with iTunes. This is a key feature at least in theory as the Pre is seen as the biggest competitor to Apple’s iPhone to date. It stands to reason that Palm may have wanted to keep the feature under wraps until the launch neared, so Apple couldn’t neutralize it. Which it seems is exactly what they’re getting ready to do.
In a rather odd update on the support area of its site today, Apple has an entry titled: iTunes: About unsupported third-party digital media players. While it never explicitly mentions the Pre, or any other device, it doesn’t take an Apple Store Genius to figure out what it means. Here’s the full text of the article:
Apple designs the hardware and software to provide seamless integration of the iPhone and iPod with iTunes, the iTunes Store, and tens of thousands of apps on the App Store. Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, 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.
So basically, if you have a Pre and are syncing iTunes with it, enjoy it while it lasts. You may want to back up your data elsewhere, because very shortly, that syncing will very likely no longer work.
I like how Apple sort of implies that it’s okay with these third-party leaches using iTunes, but that it simply can’t support them. Yeah, right. Hope you enjoyed that few weeks of functionality, Palm.
[via Daring Fireball]
Son of a B
It’s just a disclaimer for no support. Apple wont look to crush a crawling company.
This is Apple we’re talking about. They’d gleefully crush a crawling grandmother.
emphasis on “gleefully crush”
No, they definitely plan to crush them. Guarantee 100% they are working to make it so only authorized devices can talk to iTunes. Honestly, I’m surprised it took this long for a device to attempt that, considering the bullshit monopoly Apple has with iTunes/iPod.
You had paid $1 X 1000 times was your mistake
Apple makes a great product… too bad that there is no challeneger because we could sure use a update on iunes that is more user friendly.
With all the features the social internet has to offer, please tell me why I can’t save a link? SAVE A LINK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! Don’t find something interesting on iTunes cause you will have to write it down somehwere.
Lets not talk about how bloated the software is (on PC’s cause on a MAC its fine).
I love you Apple and I love my iPod Touch (even though I boriginally bought it for someone else… but that is another story lol) but iTunes really does suck.
Seriously, Apple doesn’t have a “monopoly” with iTunes and iPods. There are plenty of mp3 players that can pair up with their own desktop software. Being the best/most popular does not make it a monopoly.
It is what’s called a “vertical monopoly” meaning that iPods are (without some finagling) locked to iTunes and other PMPs are locked OUT of iTunes. This means that once you get an iPod, you’re STUCK with iPods (unless you want to convert everything . . .)
Other PMPs can work with just about anything. With my Sansa, I don’t even use a player. . .I just drag music to it and I’m set.
Apple has a vertical monopoly and is ACTING monopolistic.
It was just a disclaimer for no future support. Apple wont look to crush a crawling company.
It’s a reasonable, and honest, statement.
Totally agree.
bullshit. iTunes and Apple have a near Monopoly over digital music/media. Moreover, the music I have in iTunes belongs to me. I should be able to synch it with any device of my choice and Apple needs to provide an API and promise not to break the API to their advantage. this may be an honest statement if the company didnt own 80%+ market share. If the same statement came from Microsoft about Windows or some company with that kind of market share, it wouldnt be received so lightly.
No they don’t. You don’t need to use iTunes to play and buy music; hell, I don’t.
@genesis – well, now that music sold through iTMS is DRM free, you’re not really forced to use iTunes to play/sync music. if palm wants to compete, let them design/build their own system for syncing/buying/playing music. iTunes represents a pretty big investment by Apple, they ought to be able to protect it IMO.
Of course, if Microsoft did something that grossly anti-competitive, every TC reader would call them out till they were blue in the face. It’s my music and I’ll put it where I want, screw off Apple.
“…if…” IF???? are you under 20?
no, but it’s a legitimate view of the objectivity of TC, venturebeat, engadget and others…
If (yes if) MS were to do the same, then we would hear about how it’s a dinosaur, anti consumer, … Here Apple gets with a slap on the wrist.
Apple has the right ofcourse, the question is whether we as consumers should accept it.
I think a truly honest statement would read something like “in exactly seven days, the next version of Apple’s iTunes software will absolutely not be providing syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players.”
The way the document reads, it seems as though Apple isn’t going to directly work to make the Pre not be able to sync with iTunes, just that they won’t go out of their way to support it.
that’s the way i read it too, and it’s completely reasonable. let’s not be so quick on the trigger.
No matter what their intent, that’s the politically correct way to state it. For all we know their engineers could be toiling through the night to break third-party compatibility, and that statement would not have been altered one iota.
The interesting thing is, Apple usually DOES call out the third party stuff, and block it explicitly. This is a much better tactic, and certainly nothing they could be sued over successfully – whereas, if they take legal action against Palm, then losing that case would crack the dam permanently.
But, yeah, not a big deal. Apple’s JOB is to make Apple STUFF work for Apple CUSTOMERS. It’s clear cut, not a conspiracy, and the only reason for Apple’s “music monopoly” IS that they do the right thing for the consumer 9/10 times, as opposed to all the other RIAA-butt-licking alternatives.
Apple isn’t going to directly work to make the Pre not be able to sync with iTunes just like Gillette isn’t going to directly make their razor blades compatible with Schick.
It’s not a matter of working to make it work with, it’s a matter of working to ensure it does not.
Not exactly, I can sitch from one razor to another every week when my blade is dull. For my music, I’m stuck with Apple SW and HW.
Sort of like how Microsoft prevented windows from running under non-standard DOS’s?
Apple has a competitive advantage with iTunes and the iphone. Why would they make it work with Pre? Makes no sense.
@Nick – you’re 100% right. It never made sense (I called BS when Palm announced it), and they have to be complete rookies to assume Apple wouldn’t move against them.
As an App developer for iPhone (beamME mobile business networking), it’s obvious that Apple cares about the touchOS dev ecosystem enough to protect legitimate developers (and their published API process) and freeze out those that leech off their system (without going through the right channels).
What Palm tried to do was neither intelligent nor fair to the rest of us. At least buy an ADC subscription for chrissakes.
-Gabe
Actually keeping itunes syncing with a lot of devices actually means a lot more revenue… Apple wants all those pre users buying music 1.29 a pop don’t they?
Control freaks don’t have to make sense.
Whilst this is their [Apple]call with their proprietary software it starts to make the argument for open music does it not? If Apple want to stay in the ‘good guy view’ so to speak – or they may just transform into big Music… this could be an issue long term.
Open or die maybe?
Just my .50 cents worth… inflation you know!
All iTunes-purchased music is now DRM free and will be easily synced to the Pre with Palm’s own to-be-written sync software. In fact, Palm could use the iTunes Library XML file, allowing Pre owners to manage their music with iTunes, and then sync to the Pre hack-free.
Pretending to be an iPod is just a dirty hack to let them launch the Pre “on time”.
I agree but you got to give Palm credit they were able to hack and it actually worked for a while.
“…third-party leaches using iTunes” – Really? Leaches? Why, because Apple hordes their software to only work with their hardware?
From what I’ve read, turning it off is harder than you think.
hmm… maybe not:
http://nanocr.e...hack-confirmed/
Why would anybody be surprised by this announcement. I think Apple knows it has to protect its popular product. While the Palm Pre may not have gotten super great reviews, it still is a large step forward for Palm and a possible danger to Apple’s cell phone takeover.
Hmm. Maybe doubleTwist, as well?
Cool picture – is it the Pre brain father that gets struck by the Emperor’s (ahem Steve’s) lightening ?
No that’s Apple taking the Pre’s Quickening when it cuts off the iTunes-compatible head.
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE (digital music provider) !!!!!11one
nicely done, sir
Apple will have to tread carefully here. These be treacherous waters.
To have a virtual monopoly on digital media distribution and then use that position to prevent competing hardware devices from participating might ruffle feathers in Hollywood and in Washington. Just saying.
sirius xm and apple about time lets rock and roll
They would be singing a different tune if they didn’t have the market advantage. Enjoy while it lasts Apple. People are starting to open their eyes.
Looks like Apple is becoming a bit like Microsoft to me..
Maybe all the ‘other’ phone manufacturers should collaborate and create an alternative to itunes which is open source (or maybe not open source – sorry got carried away)!
Apple is just making it clear they have no obligation to keep iTunes working with Palm hardware as they move forward so they don’t get sued by predatory lawyers if and when it does change. Palm has smart, ex-Apple people on board. They know that Apple is not going to risk the negative press on this. I think you are wrong MG.
Flamebaiter Siegler wrote: “I like how Apple sort of implies that it’s okay with these third-party leaches using iTunes, but that it simply can’t support them. Yeah, right. Hope you enjoyed that few weeks of funtionality Palm.”
I like how you imply that Apple will intentionally cut the pre off. That should bring out the haters by the thousands.
What Apple really said is that it can’t be held responsible if at some time in the future an unsupported device stops syncing. In other words, they are not going to be held back by support for 3rd party devices.
Real companies don’t hack each other’s software.
Again, real companies don’t hack each other’s software.
This was a desperate and despicable move by Palm because they are on the brink of bankruptcy.
Apple is certainly within their rights to do what they want with their software, although they don’t treat their own customers with the same respect regarding their hardware.
If you must use itunes on non apple hardware, try http://www.doubletwist.com.
Better yet, dump itunes and use something else
So, if you mention Arrington and Apple payola in the same sentence, your comment is deleted? Makes sense to me!
I’ve said for years that Apple is “the iTunes company.” Not an OS company. Not a hardware company. Not “the iPhone company.”
iTunes is the lynchpin that binds all aspects of the company, reinforcing the need / desire to purchase Apple products. It’s unsurprising that Apple is serving notice to Palm that they’re unwelcome in the ecosystem.
Eric Marcoullier wrote: “It’s unsurprising that Apple is serving notice to Palm that they’re unwelcome in the ecosystem.”
Apple never said any such thing, creep. I clicked on your name, and you are the CEO of “GNIP”.
Why would someone who is the CEO of a web 2.0 company make an a-hole comment about Apple? Are you eager to make enemies?
Well, garsh, Zato, I didn’t realize it was so dangerous to have an opinion on the tech scene these days. If Apple were so thin-skinned as to take offense at my opinion, then I’m sure I’d end up pissing them off regardless of what I did. Luckily, they’re not.
And why is always the ones calling people names who don’t link to their identity? I’d take your thoughts ever so much more serious if I knew whether you were a pimply 14-year-old Apple fanboy.
can’t Palm just update the Pre software so it works with a newer version of iTunes?
Apple needs to just go ahead and die.
Apple is like a parent. You disobey their rules and they’ll cut you off. Wish it could have worked out better for the Pre.
I agreed .
Let me have my time in the sun! I spent 20 years playing second fiddle to BG while he had his monopoly power… LET ME HAVE MINE! JUSTICE DEPARTMENT LEAVE ME ALONE FOR MY 20 YEARS!!
No buying my hardware and running Windows on it even though you paid for the hardware and the OS license!
No buying DRM free music from me and playing it on any device I didn’t make without me making it VERY difficult for you.
No buying my OS and running it on somebody else’s hardware!
Everyone should allow all of their software and devices to work with me when I want it but I don’t ever have to let them interact where they want, I can take my shiny apple and go home!!
Now, I know you’re trolling, but a lot of people on this thread are missing the fact that the music in iTunes is now DRM free. This means you can buy the music from apple (if you like), and once you have downloaded it, you can do anything you like with it.
You can share the iTunes music directory and listen to it with any other player, you can point other sync software at the directory and sync it with whatever device you like, so there is no reason Palm, Sony or any other MP3 player manufacturer needs to “hack” anything to get iTunes music on to their device.
Now, just for completeness, your arguments:
- No buying apple hardware and running windows. Bootcamp is free and allows you to install and run Windows on any intel mac. It works perfectly. You can also use things like Parallels if you want to run windows apps while you are in Mac mode.
- No buying DRM free music. See above – have you been under a rock for the past 6 months? This is old news.
- No buying my OS and running it on other hardware. Well, this is true and Apple’s argument for this is sound. It is very difficult to develop a stable, consistent OS that will run on any hardware (see Microsoft).
No, we’re not missing the point. Having the music be DRM free is neither here nor there. It’s the fact that iTunes has become a near monopoly on digital distribution for portable media devices (music, podcasts, video).
Apple breaking 3rd party HW vendors from participating should be an anti-trust violation. I know I plan to contact my local congress person to ask they make a request to the Dept of Justice.
In many regards this is bundling (the iPod hardware with iTunes software). As you note, neither is truly a requirement for the other, but the popularity of the iPod has made iTunes (unfortunately) the defacto standard for device syncing.
As MS learned, with great success comes great responsibility. And one thing I’ve seen with Apple is that they are actually probably more vicious than MS — they just never had the marketshare and influence for it to matter.
Ok, so, we have to protect those consumers that can’t protect themselves?
A 67 second google search would give anyone that cared all the info he needs to know that itunes is not required for an ipod – as much as Apples would like it to be. Doubletwist, Mediamonkey, etc. work well with the ipod are as just as good – and more streamlined – media managers. For Linux users, Amarok1.4 is the best media manager on any system and is damn spiffy syncing an ipod (do not fall for the 2x “upgrade” though).
I think Apples should probably open their software up for the monopoly they created with non savvy users that just go with the flow (and I might add just want to plug in an go – a plus of the distribution/system). But then again there are tons of better apps that wont kill system resources or lock you in (to a device or a single mp3 marketplace) available, so folks could just take some initiative on their own.
I guess everyone is looking to get a no strings bailout these days for their own mistakes.
There goes apple again, keeping the ecosystem closed.
They are pathetic. Always throwing toys out of the pram if not getting what they want.
What do Apple fans see in them apart from the gloss and shine?
Its just about the straw that broke the camels back.
Apple never did any work to allow the Pre (or any other device) to sync – it is the webOS design and the Pre device which use the iTunes API legitimately to make this work.
Will Apple now put in a reverse hack and stop this. Perhaps change the API so that some sort of serial # authentication happens with iPod and iPhone devices.
It is equivalent to flip-flopping on Apple’s behalf. Pre does nothing illegal here. Apple just loses the monopoly.
Dont get me started on the whole issue about ownership of iTunes bought music.
Not quite. Palm included code in the Pre which pretends to Windows that it’s an Apple iPod, so fooling iTunes.
They never used the Apple published API at all.
Apple is a real asshole company.
I guess its fine from Apple’s side to block any unauthorized third party integration. For palm pre users they can download music from Amazon. Amazon is cheaper than iTunes in many cases.
LOL. Who didn’t see that coming from a mile away?
I’ve been an apple fanboy at times, but I gotta say this is the same type of thing that makes me not like M$FT. No Apple doesn’t have a total monopoly yet.. but you gotta admit it has a very tight grip and I think they are large enough to say yes they should support other devices through itunes. We can’t just let companies do this. It’s lame and makes me think apple is moving toward the dark side.
I think AAPL blocking the PRE is a mute point. I was a Palm user for a decade until reluctantly switching to an iPhone when it was given as a gift on launch day. I drink the coolaid now. I just spent a half hour with the PRE and the mute point here is that it will not pose any threat to the iPhone’s dominance. Its a nice little phone for sure, but even the touted slide out keyboard is a joke. If I was a Pygmy Mouse Lemur I could crank on that keyboard, but my current finger configuration operates the iPhone’s keyboard much better. I had the PRE next to the Treo and the Pre keyboard is a real issue. Point: iPhone!
Why do the Apple fans have so much animosity towards Palm for making a device that dares to work with iTunes?
As consumers, it seems ideal that we have choices about what hardware and software to use, and if we can mix and match them, even better. Palm is giving people the freedom to use just about any music manager out there, including iTunes. What’s the big deal?
All the people that thing its “wrong” for Palm to enable this functionality are probably the same ones cheering for webOS/Pre to fail. Are iPhone owners so desperate for approval that they don’t want any other device to threaten the iPhone as king of the smartphone hill? Why is it so hard to understand that choice and competition are good for all of us? I like the iPhone AND the Pre. I hope they both continue to get better so that we all benefit.
Ok so I just realized how much I miss having a custom tone for text messages… I know the standard one is very clean and fits in with the whole theme of the phone very well but with all the customization options on the Pre I can’t imagine why the only thing you can select for are phone calls.
I’m pretty sure if people are vocal enough about such an easy change then Palm will respond fairly quickly.
http://www.palm...ustom-sms-tones!/