Palm did NOT restore back iTunes (Version 9) Sync capability in webOS 1.2.0, maybe in 1.2.1? Did USB-IF really impact Palm's decision in bring back iTunes sync? I was hoping there would be a War of some sort.
Apple Inc. appears to have clearance from an industry group to block rival Palm Inc.'s Pre phone from connecting with iTunes software.
Palm complained to the group in July that Apple was improperly using its USB vendor code to block competitors. But the group disagreed in a letter sent to both companies Tuesday.
The letter also warned that if Palm updates the Pre's software to include Apple's vendor code — a move Palm indicated in its complaint that it planned to make in order to restore the iTunes feature — it would violate the group's rules.
The group asked Palm to clarify its intent and respond within a week about the potential violation.
Palm spokesman Derick Mains said the company contacted the USB group because it believes consumers should be able to decide how they use media they own that is not subject to copy-protection restrictions. He said Palm is reviewing the letter and will respond if it thinks it is appropriate.
Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said the company had no comment.
The iTunes spat is part of a larger rivalry building between Apple and Palm, whose chairman and CEO, Jon Rubinstein, once was an executive at Apple and oversaw the iPod. The Pre includes a "multi-touch" screen like Apple's iPhone, which lets users do things like pinch the screen to zoom in and out of photos.
PreCentral reported earlier today that webOS 1.2.1 will be delayed but that the new release will fix the iTunes sync. Considering it was report that the iTunes initial sync was just shy of two and a half hours to repair, we would have to bet that we haven't heard the end of this battle.
It's not to be unexpected but again, Apple decides to cut the cord that syncs Palm Pre to iTunes. Perhaps this is the reason the webOS update has been delayed allowing time for Palm to perform some last minute tweaks to get a work-around once again, for the Palm Pre.
In typical Apple camp fashion, oodles of speculation sprang forth from journalists, analysts and others immediately after the news of the event hit the Web, all with verifying levels of believability. For instance, some folks said Apple could finally be ready to release its Mac tablet, or "iPad" (not at all likely); Cupertino could be unveiling a new version of iTunes (likely); iPod touch devices could get 3.2 megapixel cameras (very likely); and Apple might finally decide to bring CEO Steve Jobs back on stage for the first time at a major event since his extended medical leave (almost guaranteed).
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Regardless of the specifics, Apple's announcements will mostly be aimed at the company's own customers--though there could be a large portion of Palm's user base also affected by the announcement. Here's why.
Back when Palm first released the much-anticipated Pre smartphone in June, it shipped with a cool feature that allowed Pre owners to utilize Apple's popular iTunes digital juke box app to sync music files from their iTunes collections to the Pre.
But Apple didn't take to kindly to Palm's Pre syncing with iTunes. So Apple killed it. Then Palm came back and playing cat and mouse, synced to iTunes again.
Judging Apple by past experience, iTunes will probably have the media sync killed again with an announcement at the 9/9/09 meeting.
[via CIO]
Are you on iTunes 8.2.1 and wish it can once again sync seamlessly with your Palm Pre? You can always just revert back to iTunes 8.2.0 or go classic and use Drag & Drop. And of course doubleTwist is another good option to have iTunes start syncing again. But you know what's better? That would be Salling Media Sync, my friends.
Available for free now for Mac and Windows. First off, It does not require an account like doubleTwist. It syncs your Music/Playlists, Videos, Podcasts and Photos from iTunes 8.2.1. And best of all, you can set it to sync automatically every time you plug in your Pre, just like iTunes would.
They do offer a paid version of this software for $22, which will sync your media at a faster rate (Mac and PC). I was giving taste of the paid version free of charge (Thanks, Salling), and like advertised, nothing has change but the syncing speed. Roughly about 4-7x faster.
To Sync using Salling Media Sync:
There had been a lot of debate on wether Apple will put a stop to Palm Pre's iTunes Sync Capability. And what do you know, iTunes 8.2.1 update is here and it looks like Palm Pre no longer syncs with iTunes, at least my Pre doesn't. Just don't get the new iTunes update if you still want your Pre to sync with iTunes. But then again, drag and drop is pretty easy as well.
We'll see how Palm responds to this, or I'll just continue to use doubleTwist to sync my Media.
"provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices."
Tony Peric
Attention Readers: To revert back to older versions of iTunes: http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php
Palm's response to this:
“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."
Apple's response:
"iTunes 8.2.1 is a free software update that provides a number of important bug fixes," says Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. "It 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." [via BusinessWeek]
PreThinking