Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Palm Releases WebOS 1.1, Restores iTunes Media Syncing

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
66,423
35,539


The cat-and-mouse game between Apple and Palm continues today with Palm's announcement that it has released webOS 1.1, bringing a host of new features and improvements to the Palm Pre including restoration of iTunes media syncing.
Oh, and one more thing: Palm webOS 1.1 re-enables Palm media sync. That's right -- you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes (8.2.1).
Click to expand...
While the Palm Pre running webOS was initially able to sync directly with iTunes by presenting itself as an iPod, Apple disabled the functionality just last week with the release of iTunes 8.2.1. The iTunes syncing spat is the latest in a series of incidents between the two competitors, as Palm has hired several former Apple executives and engineers to lead the company's turnaround and Apple has issued veiled threats against Palm regarding intellectual property contained in iPhone that has appeared in similar forms in the Palm Pre.

The full list of new features available in webOS 1.1 can be found in Palm's release notes for the update.

Article Link: Palm Releases WebOS 1.1, Restores iTunes Media Syncing
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2009/07/23/palm-releases-webos-1-1-restores-itunes-media-syncing/
Any word on what work around they're using this time, or does it still present itself as an iPhone/iPod to iTunes?
 
As a Pre owner I just don't care. The only time I used iTunes is when I owned an iPhone. Frankly, there are way better apps out there meant for syncing media. I know 5 people who use the Pre at work alone and none of them sync with iTunes. This really isn't that big of a deal.

On another note, Apple really needs to be careful how they handle this situation. It won't take much for the DOJ to look at Apple's iTunes/iPod as being a monopoly. They are by far the most dominate force in the multi-billion dollar industry that is online music. Considering the anti-business Democratic control in DC it will not take much. Obama's new appointee to the DOJ's antitrust division is already targeting Google as a possible monopoly, and they haven't really pulled anything "evil".
 
I used to have respect for Palm, but not anymore.

They're sad and pathetic, and will never be a serious competitor in the smartphone arena again.
 
What a stupid move. Palm is not going to win and will end up looking really stupid in the process. They're going to get their asses handed to them.
 
Both companies are just playing a shell game.

I wonder what Apples next move will be?

Here is an idea: DEVELOP YOUR OWN SOFTWARE.
 
Even if they restored the capability, who is going to want to sync that way knowing any day it could be (and likely will be) pulled again? If Palm is too lazy to develop their own software, they should at least not be advertising iTunes as a solution, just recommend Double Twist or something. They're just making themselves look bad by pimping iTunes and leaving their customers (many of whom may not be savvy enough to hunt down another solution) hung out to dry.
 
this is going to get interesting. Apple is not going to do this dance nor play this game forever. I feel a lawsuit is coming.
 
Apple should just write malicious code to kill the Pre software wise if it is attempting to sync with iTunes, end of war.
 
thetexan said:
On another note, Apple really needs to be careful how they handle this situation. It won't take much for the DOJ to look at Apple's iTunes/iPod as being a monopoly. They are by far the most dominate force in the multi-billion dollar industry that is online music.
\
Click to expand...


i don't know about the online music issue. but certainly in the digital portable music/video device market they have strong power. so yes you are correct if someone played hard, Apple might lose.

which could be why they haven't actually filed against Palm. at least this way they can claim they were just updating the software to make it better for their own devices and how can they be expected to test every other player out there to be sure it works also. unless someone has a smoking gun memo from someone saying point blank to destroy the Palm syncing, it's Apple's word against Palm's.
 
Steve is gonna punch Jon Rubinstein square in the face. That'll teach him ;)
 
In a way, allowing devices from other manufacturers to sync to iTunes could be a smart market move for the iTunes store... no? Apple can't really stop other companies from offering competing products in the hardware market, so having them act as a gateway for luring more users towards iTunes could make Apple some extra dough...
 
I wonder if the iTunes EULA states that it must be used with apple-branded devices...if so, then all Pre users syncing to iTunes is in violation of the EULA....
 
Halvdan said:
In a way, allowing devices from other manufacturers to sync to iTunes could be a smart market move for the iTunes store... no? Apple can't really stop other companies from offering competing products in the hardware market, so having them act as a gateway for luring more users towards iTunes could make Apple some extra dough...
Click to expand...

...but they get more dough if you buy an iPod before you spend $$ at the iTunes store. The Pre is a nice unit, but it is certainly no iPhone. It will never have the depth of apps, and a recent article pointed out that if you are into gaming, the Pre will not be close to the iPhone in that regard.
 
If Apple was smart, they would start licensing iTunes compatibility now. Otherwise, eventually, they will get hit with an anti-trust suit, if not by the DOJ, by the EU/EC. At least this way they could make money, instead of losing a ton in court.
 
iTunes doesn't make enough money to justify its existence alone.

Last I knew, Apple was barely breaking even on the iTunes store.

iTunes is a vehicle to sell iPods and iPhones since Apple is above all else a hardware company.
 
DudeDad said:
I wonder if the iTunes EULA states that it must be used with apple-branded devices...if so, then all Pre users syncing to iTunes is in violation of the EULA....
Click to expand...

...and there is nothing Apple can do to said user.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back