Filed under: iTunes, Software Update
iTunes 8.2.1 released: Update cripples Palm Pre sync
Update: PreCentral is reporting that the 8.2.1 update DOES bork Palm Pre syncing. They say that iTunes comes into focus as if it wants to sync, but that the Pre doesn't appear in the sidebar. Dow Jones & other sites now reporting confirmation from Apple spokespeople that the Pre is deliberately blocked from iTunes sync.
Apple has just released iTunes 8.2.1 and it includes a very interesting release note. The first half of the note is the same was what was included with iTunes 8.2 (iPhone 3.0 software support), but the second half says:
"iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses and issue with verification of Apple devices." (emphasis added)
Could this be Apple's belated response to the Palm Pre's native iTunes compatibility? Although Apple has thus far ignored the Pre's USB-device masking feature, it wouldn't be out of character for the company to try to thwart Palm's attempts.
This is just speculation right now -- I don't have a Palm Pre, so I can't test this one way or another. So Palm Pre owners, if you're willing to play guinea pig for TUAW, please update to iTunes 8.2.1 and let us know if your Pre still syncs!
Apple has just released iTunes 8.2.1 and it includes a very interesting release note. The first half of the note is the same was what was included with iTunes 8.2 (iPhone 3.0 software support), but the second half says:
"iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses and issue with verification of Apple devices." (emphasis added)
Could this be Apple's belated response to the Palm Pre's native iTunes compatibility? Although Apple has thus far ignored the Pre's USB-device masking feature, it wouldn't be out of character for the company to try to thwart Palm's attempts.
This is just speculation right now -- I don't have a Palm Pre, so I can't test this one way or another. So Palm Pre owners, if you're willing to play guinea pig for TUAW, please update to iTunes 8.2.1 and let us know if your Pre still syncs!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
zackisamazing said 2:21PM on 7-15-2009
Usually, I wouldn't want Apple to break functionality like this, but methinks since Palm knows the only way it can compete is by 'pretending' to be an iPod/iPhone, it makes it OK.
I really hope it actually does break Pre functionality.
Reply
coyo t said 2:48PM on 7-15-2009
isn't this a lot like not being able to use a sony camera in imovie?
zackisamazing said 2:50PM on 7-15-2009
As long as you think input and output are the same....
You can add music from any source.
Christina Warren said 2:52PM on 7-15-2009
While it might be a dick move, coyo t, it really isn't the same as Apple banning a Sony camera from iMovie. The only way the Pre was able to work with iTunes was by cloning the iPod's USB-ID. Whatever you think of Apple's decision to fight back (and I have mixed feeling myself), that's just shady. It's a shady backdoor and it's a shady thing to do to your customers, because you can't guarantee that it will always work.
I'm with the people that are surprised it took this long. While I don't think letting the Pre work with iTunes would have an adverse effect, it might encourage the behavior, which does dilute Apple's iTunes enterprise.
Heimbachae said 3:04PM on 7-15-2009
i have a sony camera with videos loaded into imovie.... is there something wrong with me?
Sid said 3:05PM on 7-15-2009
The iPhone is designed to work with Apple's software to sync songs, contacts, emails and whatever else you need it to. Why should Palm be allowed to save a bundle on development cost and use iTunes to sync with its Pre?
I am surprised it took this long for Apple to implement this fix.
coyo t...a sony camera is not a competing product against iMovie. iMovie was designed to work with different cameras. It is a value added software for Mac users. Another way to look at it would be that if the iPhone was released to sync with RIM's desktop manager...I am sure RIM would not be happy about that.
Rich said 4:12PM on 7-15-2009
Other people seem to be missing the point that coyo t raised, which itself missed the point.
No, it's nothing like being unable to use a particular brand of camera with iMovie. It's like being unable to use anything other than Apple-branded DVDs or Apple-branded mini-DV recorders to save off your movie.
Christopher said 4:37PM on 7-15-2009
Let me ask you guys this, what does allowing the Pre to sync with iTunes hurt? Nothing. This is anti-competitive behavior plain and simple. If Microsoft only allowed Zunes to use the Zune Marketplace (save your irrelevant "Zune Marketplace sucks compared to iTunes" comments please) people would be all over them. Besides, why would Apple want to turn away the potential revenue from Pre users? It's seems like a bad business move. Perhaps the real question is why Apple hasn't provided legitimate hooks into iTunes for device makers already.
kf9z said 7:20PM on 7-15-2009
How is it 'pretending' again? It still allows for iTunes music to be used on the PRE by copying the music directly onto the device. The iTunes sync only made it a step or two easier and that is all. You do understand that iTunes still supports five or more 3rd party MP3 devices? They support devices that were used with iTunes prior to the launch of the iPod. I think this is petty by Apple but I understand why. This is a 1st class ride to an anti-trust suite like Microsoft. Maybe Mr. Jobs could ask Mr. Gates how this impacts sales and adds to the already massive legal bills of large companies such as Microsoft and Apple.
The EU is already exploring legal options in the similar ilk as their actions against Microsoft to open Apple and their product line. I really se no huge difference between Apple and Microsoft when it comes to integration between software/hardware and their respective OS's.
D
Eric said 2:22AM on 7-16-2009
iMovie is also a commercial product while iTunes is essentially "free." Love it or hate it, for the time being Pre customers are shut out from syncing with iTunes. It will be very interesting to see how the Palm support hotline handles this over the next few weeks as Pre owners update iTunes and their phones no longer syncs.
Yoshi1080 said 2:23PM on 7-15-2009
So, until somebody tries it out, this article is just pure speculation?
Reply
Christina Warren said 2:26PM on 7-15-2009
Well, Macrumors is reporting that it is borked on the Mac (I just saw that), but we still need confirmation. In essence, yes. The release note is just too strange to not raise the question, however.
gib said 2:30PM on 7-15-2009
... anybody out there have a Pre to test it out and actually confirm this speculation? ... Anybody? ... hmmm.
I think this is a bad move on Apple if they break the Pre connectivity. Will it hurt their iTunes Store sales? Meh, not by much. Will it enflame the iHaters of the world? You bet.
Christina Warren said 2:32PM on 7-15-2009
PreCentral and PreThinking are both saying it is now borked: http://www.precentral.net/apple-blocks-palm-pre-itunes-syncing
gib said 2:35PM on 7-15-2009
Thanks, Christina.
I always like when bloggers will participate in the comments and discussion.
Damon said 3:02PM on 7-15-2009
Yup. It's dead. Just updated now and it loads iTunes, but never shows up.
gtp231 said 2:25PM on 7-15-2009
me thinks its broken- it's coming up as the pre on my desktop, but not in itunes
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kimfranken said 2:25PM on 7-15-2009
maybe there's a new iPod on it's way
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Philip said 2:32PM on 7-15-2009
Yes, it breaks it.
http://www.prethinking.com/home/2009/7/15/itunes-821-breaks-palm-pre-sync-capability.html
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Yuusharo said 2:34PM on 7-15-2009
This isn't about the Palm at all. This is about how the iPhone 3GS verifies itself on Apple's servers with each restore, and dumps those IBEC and IBSS files carelessly into the /tmp/ and %TEMP% directories. In other words, its going to be a lot harder to grab those files for 3GS users who wish to jailbreak in the future.
Kinda surprised everyone is hoping onto the Pre with this update. That didn't cross my mind once. But when I saw "verification with Apple devices," I knew that that they're really cracking down on jailbreaking and unlocking.
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