You remember how I told you that the Palm Pre was employing a really sneaky way to access iTunes, and that Apple were getting all huffy about it? And you remember how I predicted it would get messy?
Oh yeah. It has.
According to Business Week, Apple have released an update for iTunes, version 8.2.1, which is designed to provide a load of important bug fixes. However, that isn’t quite all it does, as in the words of Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris, the update “also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre. As we’ve said before, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with unsupported digital media players.”
That, right there, is pretty categorical. It is, essentially, Apple shouting “get off my bleedin’ lawn!”at the Palm Pre.
Meanwhile, Palm have responded with their own press release, which says: “Palm’s media sync works with iTunes 8.2. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in 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 can consider.”
So, all in all, it looks like the fur is now officially flying, and theories about why Apple chose to take this step have abounded online, ranging from simple product protection, through to the idea that Apple isn’t as confident in the iPhone 3GS as they say, and they feel very threatened by the Palm Pre.
Personally, I think they should feel threatened, as the Palm Pre is a far superior phone, but that’s by the by.
However, am I the only person who can see that there should be an amicable solution to this, a solution that would actually benefit both parties? Don’t block the Palm Pre from iTunes. Embrace the Palm Pre in iTunes. We all know that whoever wants an iPhone will get an iPhone, no matter what. And whoever wants a Pre will get one, no matter what. So, why fight? Let the Pre in, then you both benefit. Palm benefits from having access to iTunes, and Apple benefits from more people buying songs through iTunes. Ergo, both companies make more money.
Hang on, was I being rational, then? Blimey, sorry about that, I don’t know what came over me. I think I’ll go for a lie down until the normalness goes away and I’m back to my old self again…
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July 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
its business why let some company cash in on your products or services, the palm cant be that great if its having to use an apple service as a selling point.
if any company had spent time and effort building up something like itunes for some other two bit outfit to try and just gain credit without doing any of the real work id put a stop to it.
and the palm still isnt a threat as yet, because its still not arrived!
July 16th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
http://www.reuters.com/article/CMPSRV/idUSN1627453720090716