If Your Palm Pre No Longer Syncs With iTunes, Thank Apple
The latest version of the iTunes software (8.2.1) prevents Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre owners from syncing their music catalog from their computer directly to their device.
While Palm warned that the functionality could be broken by Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) at any time, and Apple signaled that it could not necessarily support third-party MP3 players, no one really expected it to happen this quickly, reports Engadget. In the meantime, users can still upload music to their Pre, they’ll just have to do it using the device as a mass storage device.
To be sure, Apple shouldn’t consider the Palm Pre that much of a threat, given that it only sold 10s of thousands of devices in its opening weekend vs. the iPhone 3GS, which sold more than a million. But clearly, Apple wasn’t happy with the idea of there be a phone out there that could be pegged as an alternative.
Can you imagine the uproar if Microsoft did this? Apple not only controls their markets, they own them.
FTC – are you listening? Unless you have an iPod or an iPhone, probably not.
Apple's walled garden is one of the biggest problems I have with becoming an iPhone 3gs owner and using iTunes more. It may make some of the trains run more smoothly but it's far more controlling than it should be.
Microsoft and others seem to ignore this massive marketing opportunity against Apple.
I haven't seen anything where Microsoft, Nokia et al pitch their great strengths of openness; the internet and interoperability against Apple's completely walled garden.
Step up to the mark Microsoft and nail Apple to the wall or give it a few years and you'll fall into 3rd place behind Google and Apple.