Apple blocks rival smart phones

[Paul Boy]

The latest update of Apple's iTunes has included a fix to block devices such as the Palm Pre that use the program for synchronising music and content.

The Palm Pre smartphone is seen by many as a direct rival to Apple's iPhone because of its innovative interface and web based software.

Marketing for the new Palm Pre touted "seamless" synchronisation with iTunes, because it appeared as an Apple device.

Palm called the move a "direct blow" to Apple's users.

While many devices can, through intermediary software, connect and synchronise with iTunes, the Pre was able to do so because it identified itself as an iPod.

In June, Apple issued a note stressing that it "does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players" and warned that "newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality" with them.

Options

Now, the latest version of iTunes, 8.2.1, has patched the hole through which devices could masquerade as Apple products.

Apple said in a statement that the update, in addition to other bug fixes, "also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre".

Palm said that the Pre would work with previous versions of iTunes.

"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," the firm said in a statement.

The statement added that "there are other third-party applications we can consider" and that users could simply choose not to update iTunes or could use a USB cable to directly transfer files.

Where is the EC now, surly that violating EC Rules. not allowing consumer choice....


Mybe MS will block Safari 4 from being installed in Windows 7

[TooNice]

I am not one to bash Apple, I recognise that some of their products are pretty good - but this has got to be a stupid move. I doubt people who already have a Pre is going to ditch it just because they can't use it with iTune anymore. All this is going to do is make them angry, give the people who hate Apple one more reason to bash them, grow the number of such people, and, even if they are successful in stopping those people from using iTune, decrease the share of people who would use iTune (potential blow to the iTune store).

[oolon]

I believe Palm now has updated the pre to support the new versions of itunes. I think however this and the Amazon kindle "1984" incident shows why getting non DRM versions of products is very important, otherwise what you have "bought" will probably die with your device, and one day they WILL switch off the servers or device support and your not have access to the content. I think we need to see a few more consumers to be burnt before law makers start taking an interest.

[Paul Boy]

The more i think about this the more annoyed i get about it!!!! FFS Apple have developed there software to work properly with MS exchange...why because they know they need it to be exchange compatible. Just imagine if MS blocked access to MS exchange on an iPhone.......in fact i think they should..

[Anders]

So glad I don't use iTunes. This only serves to reinforce my never buy Apple rule. I love the people that still think they are buying into some alternative lifestyle rather than a corporate brand with Apple.

[Andehh]

What a childish move on apples part, i really hope Palm patch the pre up to get around it!

[TAKTAK]

facePalm

(pun intended )

[fiish]

I think the OP has a good point, this certainly looks like a cynical move from Apple to prevent interoperability with other manufacturers' devices.

On another hand though, it's just preventing a non-Apple device from posing as an Apple device in order to gain syncing access to Apple's software. They might actually have a right to do this, particularly if the Pre really is identifying itself as an iPod, which it isn't. If the Pre identified itself as a Pre which is what it is, and was able to sync with iTunes but now no longer is, I agree that that would be illegal.

On another hand, if the iTunes route was the only way the Pre could do any syncing with a Mac, then Apple could possibly be breaking some rules.

Anyway it's not going to buy either company a lot of goodwill, from each other or from their customers.

[confusingcircle]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08...usb_vendor_id/

This makes interesting reading, showing that Palm were making the Pre show up as an Ipod by faking the Apple vendor ID in the info it shows through USB. I'd stick with the stance of El Reg here and say Palm doesn't have the right to do this. For once Apple may have the high ground.