Palm Pre syncs with iTunes
Its kinda funny that companies generally get into playground fights. But unlike the playground fights that start in threats and insults, coaxed by those around eager for a fight, corporate fights generally start with a a few press releases that try and intimidate the opposition and if that doesn’t work they almost always end up in court. More importantly unlike playground fights there’s no one cheering them on as we always know where it leads, years of legal battles and generally end with a bunch of out of court settlements and years behind tech advancements.
Well seems like this scenario is about to play out with Apple and Palm. You remember that a few weeks ago we covered the story about how Palm got their Pre to synch with iTunes. However the trouble lies in how it is done. Apparently Palm was able to trick iTunes into thinking its syncing an iPod instead of the Pre. That doesn’t mean that you can play your DRM files on the Pre though, all it means is there are more syncing options.
Well Apple has hit back with the following:
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.
Needless to say, its clear that this statement is aimed directly at Palm. However we’re not sure how Apple would do this as it seems that it would require a special code in the USB node for the Pre to lack its special syncing capabilities. We’re also sure that Palm would be able to fund away around this (as they have hinted), mainly because their number one guy used to be the head of the iPod devision in Cuppertino, ironic yes.
But this is not the end of the story as Palm has fired back, albeit a weak one. According to AllThingsDigital, a Palm spokesperson has said they “doubt” Apple would go as far as to kill the feature for those who actively use iTunes. In our own words, Palm is saying, Apple would be shooting themselves in the foot if they did it. According to Palm:
Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in a future version of iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we could consider.
So what are your takes on the issue. Do you think Palm is right and do you think Apple is wrong or vise versa? Whatever your thoughts, leave them in the comments below.
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