Re: Underhanded Apple Disables Palm Pre/iTunes Sync

In article
<e1a71460-d22b-41f3-b882-a921ec7d4d86@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
ed <news@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Jul 19, 3:05 pm, ZnU <z...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
 ed <n...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Jul 19, 10:24 am, ZnU <z...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: <snip>
In other words, the feature "Palm media sync" could be a code
for "you plug it in, it looks like an iPod"; or it could be an
app that moves files around.

it looks like an ipod.

If it's the former, then shame on Palm. If it's the latter,
shame on Apple.

shame on palm, but shame on apple regardless.

Why? Given that Apple provides an alternate way to get at the data
in an iTunes library, exactly what have they don't wrong here? Is
it actually wrong for Apple to require Palm to write their own
syncing software, rather than hijacking Apple's?

go back to the discussion we had- because it's unfriendly to apple's
customers.

No. What was unfriendly to (some of) Apple's customers was Palm's
decision to integrate with iTunes using a ridiculous hack when there was
an alternative available.

when apple does not provide a way to sync with the built in music
player on their platform, when the built in player on that platform is
sold as one of the benefits of said platform, people are going to find
workarouns. yes, there's an alternative available- build your own
software that duplicates existing functionality. yeah, that's nice
and seamless for apple customers!

If it were only possible for a third-party to do some shoddy second-rate
implementation otherwise, I'd agree that "borrowing" Apple's sync
infrastructure was legitimate.

But the shoddy second rate implementation, in this case, is tricking
iTunes into thinking the Pre is an iPod... except it can't sync many of
the things an actual iPod can sync through iTunes, like your photos,
contacts, calendars, and bookmarks. Apparently it doesn't even sync
podcasts properly (or possibly at all, from what I'm reading). Googling
a bit, it looks like there's already a whole mess of third-party apps to
fill in the gaps Palm left with syncing.

If Palm built their own syncing software, they could have dealt with all
of this. It could be as seamless as Palm wanted to it be, starting
automatically when the device was connected, syncing without even
launching iTunes, and of course syncing with things besides iTunes as
well. Hell, it could even support wireless syncing with your iTunes
library, which Apple itself doesn't support.

And it would have given them a chance to get their branded software on
people's computers, perhaps letting people browse and buy Pre apps from
from the desktop (as you can with iTunes), and providing a central place
for device management.

It's really baffling that Palm chose to go the way it did. It really
almost looks like they didn't have something ready, and rushed the iPod
impersonation thing as a quick fix.

--
"The game of professional investment is intolerably boring and over-exacting to
anyone who is entirely exempt from the gambling instinct; whilst he who has it
must pay to this propensity the appropriate toll." -- John Maynard Keynes
.

Relevant Pages

  • >>>> SYNC IPOD <<<<
    ... My Ipod Won't Sync Up Music ... My Ipod Won't Sync With Itunes ... Ipod Touch Sync With Itunes Problem ...
    (rec.puzzles)
  • Re: Underhanded Apple Disables Palm Pre/iTunes Sync
    ... I'd agree that "borrowing" Apple's sync ... iTunes into thinking the Pre is an iPod... ... photo app, as well as a sync app? ... If Palm built their own syncing software, ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Q: Syncing Two iPods, Differently
    ... Please help with something that doesn't seem to be covered in the iTunes ... Currently I am set up to sync my entire iTunes library (approximately ... 2000 items) to my iPod. ... Everything goes: all the songs, ...
    (comp.sys.mac.apps)
  • Re: computer rebuild for editing
    ... The default iTunes mode is for the general simpleton who has to have iTunes sync everything automatically. ... When you connect you iPod to the computer iTunes will open at the iPod summary page. ... Do that for all the types of media you want to Sync manually by going to the relevant tab and unchecking Sync its sync option. ...
    (rec.video.production)
  • Re: Underhanded Apple Disables Palm Pre/iTunes Sync
    ... obviously use itunes. ... be able to sync with iTunes today. ... engineered iPod firmware or something. ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)