Comments on: Yes, Ruby, iTunes 9 Kills Palm Pre Sync Dead. Again.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:04:08 +0000

Even though i believe that Palm is in the wrong, I do see how what they did makes it easier for the end user. I don't use a Palm but a Iphone, but that said I would rather if itunes was more open and easier for other manufacturers to use.

I may be wrong but I see less openness and more back to the days of IBM where it was our way or the highway. End users got the shaft. Its not even about the music, there is so much more Itunes does and I see no reason for other phones if designed to be able to sync with Itunes.

It be nice if someone came out with something like Itunes equal if nothing else, and was open to other venders. But I will not be holding my breath on this.

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:54:46 +0000

I will use amazon from now on to download music instead of iTunes. iTunes is shooting themselves in the foot by making it more difficult to download iTunes purchased music to my Palm Pre.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:56:12 +0000

@fassy …and that is what the Pre also does. The only difference is that it parses files that iTunes copies over to the devices in place of doing it on the desktop with an app. No “API calls.”

By: fassy

fassy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:25:10 +0000

@Zane

There are no "requisite licenses" for iTunes syncing -- Apple does not offer any. RIM parses the iTunes XML file, nothing more.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:20:58 +0000

Palm did write their own sync software. It's called the Pre. The Pre just lets iTunes copy the xml and audio files to the device and the software on the Pre parses the files. This is similar to what happens on the desktop when a program directly reads the xml files out of the iTunes directory. Obviously it is much easier for the user to have the device do this instead of installing an additional plugin for iTunes. The Pre solution is a very clean way to sync with iTunes. The Pre does not have to make any API calls into Apple's software. It does not have to find directories on a user's computer. It simply lets iTunes do the work of copying the files over and then uses internal software to read them. You would think Apple would have a bigger issue with programs manipulating the xml files in the iTunes directory.

This has nothing to do with licensing -- what API is Palm using? This is just a grudge match between Apple and Pre.

By: Zane

Zane — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:50:06 +0000

If anyone is acting unethically in this matter it is Palm. Both methods Palm used for syncing involved tricking iTunes into recognizing the Pre as an Apple product. If Palm wants to be able to sync with iTunes, they should get the requisite licenses from Apple and write their own software to read and sync the iTunes library. RIM does that for Blackberrys.

By: dev

dev — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:41:47 +0000

IMHO, Apple is ethically in the wrong when they kill Pre sync deliberately. (Accidental breakages are another issue, but Apple will have a tough time claiming an accident after that specifically targeted update a few months back.) Legally, however, Apple is in the clear, which makes Palm either a) none-too-bright for trumpeting this as a feature of the Pre, or b) gearing up towards a legal challenge of either the iTunes/Music Store as a monopoly on digital music or iTunes the application as an essential facility in that market. Probably both.

By: Sylvanus

Sylvanus — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:36:56 +0000

I’d like to say that I’ve always enjoyed the images that go along with the stories and this one is good too..i see a keeper to put into the rotation.

By: Jeremy Sikora

Jeremy Sikora — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:36:04 +0000

@cardfan - then Apple will once again block it until eventually Palm gives up. One thing is for sure, Apple will never give up.

That's what I meant in my comment.

By: cardfan

cardfan — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:22:35 +0000

I’m sure they’ll fix it again. But its an old issue by now. Palm is better served by doing their own app.

By: Jeremy Sikora

Jeremy Sikora — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:10:45 +0000

The Palm Pre will never sync with iTunes as long as Steve Jobs is around. Trust me.