It's been a week since the USB Implementors Forum chided Palm over their blatant violation of policies by letting Pre users sync their phones with iTunes using Apple's unique USB identifier for the Pre.
Now, Palm is at it again. Today, the company has released an update to their users that has "fixed" the issue Palm Pre had syncing with iTunes.
Palm has been able to do this with the help of a hack in their latest webOS update (v1.2.1) that sets its manufacturer as Apple and changes the USB Product ID to that of iPod Video. This is what Pre users see on their computer screen on connecting to iTunes and when they set their Pre to Media Sync Mode
USB Product ID: 0x1209
USB Vendor ID: 0x05ac (Apple, Inc)
Manufacturer: Apple Inc.
Palm has taken a rather immature stand by letting this episode drag so long. From a customer's perspective, Palm would want the Pre to sync with iTunes in order to effectively compete with the iPhone. However, the means have been ill-planned. Instead of trying to sneak in their products through the backdoor, Palm should devise ways by which Pre users can seamlessly sync their phones with iTunes. It should well cost a lot with purchase of licenses, but from a long term perspective, that is where Palm would eventually be heading to.
Looking at it from another perspective, should Apple actually be worried at all? With the syncing between iTunes and Palm Pre possible, Apple stands to make much more revenues from iTunes. From a business standpoint, it makes good sense to let other devices connect to the iTunes and thus make it the default store to purchase music from.
What do you think? Should Apple block the Pre syncing one more time? Please let us know in the comments.
[via TheiPhoneBlog]
Apple should let other things sync with iTunes but should pay some sort of fee like 5$
Apple would be stupid to stop the syncing of non apple products. Think of the revenue they can generate by allowing it.
Yeah I would have to agree. I don't know why anyone would try and stop people from going to their store. What Apple should do is not only let all phones be able to sync to iTunes, but have an iTunes app directly available so customers can shop for music on the go. I would even try selling that app like they do the App Store to iPod users already.
I would do it one more time to be dicks to palm and then open iTunes up and create an app for other smartphones to use like hcxlos said
I second that
Apple should file suite with Palm and then settle out of court. A small fee for Palm to pay for the right to be licensed to sync with iTunes and a boon for Apple. This could be a win-win for both, but it seems clear that Palm wants to be the big looser in this.
What Palm is doing is nothing more than fraud and/or identity theft. (Making their products pretend to be something they are not.)
This really is silly. If they ask nicely, Apple may help them out. This could lead to a whole new income stream for Apple. Licensing sync ability.
Still, if Apple doesn't see it my way they are completely within their rights to just refuse any and all unauthorized syncing with iTunes.
That's my two cents. :p
Very informative site=)