Article by George Norman

On 17 Jun 2009

[Updated with Palm's response]Following the news that the recently released Palm Pre is capable of syncing with iTunes just like an iPhone or iPod can, we have official confirmation that Apple really does not like the fact that the Palm Pre is able to do this. The Cupertino-based company has released an article on its support site the other day entitled “iTunes: About unsupported third-party digital media players” in which it covers the topic of iTunes and unsupported 3rd party digital media players, of course, and the Palm Pre falls in that category.

“Apple designs the hardware and software to provide seamless integration of the iPhone and iPod with iTunes, the iTunes Store, and tens of thousands of apps on the App Store. Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players,” says the article (original post on Apple’s support site here).


In al fairness to Apple, the company does not specifically mention the Palm Pre, but then they couldn’t have if they want to keep it on the down low. Apple simply mentioned “some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software” which is a clear reference to the Palm Pre.

The irony here is that when Palm Chief Investor Roger McNamee and Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein showcased the iTunes/Palm Pre syncing feature, McNamee mentioned that Apple might take some steps to block it, but he found it “hard to believe they are going to get bent out of shape.”

UPDATE: Palm spokerperson Lyn Foxx, in an interview for All Things Digital , said the following: "If Apple chooses to disable media sync in a future version of iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we could consider."

Now if Apple does not like the Palm Pre, Microsoft does not Apple and the iPhone in particular. It seems that not only Melinda Gates likes the iPhone, Microsoft’s own employees like it as well and consequently the number of iPhone owners within employee ranks has risen. Well, Microsoft has taken measures to ensure that its employees will not use the iPhone and will switch to Windows Mobile-powered devices instead. How you ask? By subsidizing the data plans only for Windows Mobile devices; or in other words, by no longer reimbursing your data plan if you use anything other than a Windows Mobile-powered device.

Microsoft confirmed this info, but stated that it has nothing to do with it not liking the iPhone; it is part of the company’s effort to cut costs.



Tags: Apple, iPhone, Palm Pre, iTunes, Sync, Microsoft, Windows Mobile

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