"In a statement, the company said disabling the sync "will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience" and that "there are other third-party applications we could consider." In other word, it'd be Apple's loss."
Is there anybody in the world who would agree with this? A blind man can see that Apple has an interest in using iTunes as a method to keep their users locked to their devices.
Palm is is right, it would be a direct blow to Apple's control of the DAP industry. In essence by cutting Pre users off from iTunes once they are already committed to their Pre's they'll force a good deal of iTune dependent people to becoming iTunes independent.
Guess what iTunes independent people do? They go into stores and actually look at other DAPs than iPods.
I completely agree with you, I do not think it would be too much of a loss on Apple's side as opposed to Palm's.
@ Alan
You are also completely correct about the double standard (of sorts). The reason why the EU cares so much about Microsoft is that they are 90% of the computer market vs. Apple's 10%. Microsoft also had a previous history of putting core functions inside applications such as IE, so in the past you could not uninstall IE. I think it is great that users have the ability to uninstall IE, along with other MS programs, without affecting windows, however I actually think bundling is beneficial. For intermediate to advanced users, it is a slight pain, however, for many people, having a browser, media player, and a trial to an office program, is very helpful. Most users (sadly enough) do not know about alternative browsers (or even how to update their current browser), so having these programs accessible from the start is a benefit and one of Apple's biggest selling points (in the case of iLife).
Actually the EU have been plenty mad at Apple recently for separating their European iTunes stores into individual entities and prohibiting other countries accessing the other stores, something that is illegal in EU law. I'm pretty sure in this case Apple are just saying they won't be checking to make sure the Pre works with any updates they make, as opposed to making threats. It's definitely Antitrust to actively try and stop the Pre syncing though, and I would be happy to see them being sued for millions if they tried that sort of action.
Apple would have a point of doing it intentionally without it being anti-trust: The Pre impersonates the iPod (or iPhone), as opposed to actually connecting to iTunes through the standard third party method (as seen with blackberry phones and other manufacturer's PMPs). Therefore Apple would not be locking out Third Party users, but instead "protect" their product (of sorts).
It's not Apple's content to protect. If it's paid for, it's the users content. Apple does not own rights to the music in iTunes. Apple does not have to offer 3rd party support, but they cannot block the user from putting music on the Pre. That's illegal.
The Cobra Tag may help you win that losing battle, acting as a Bluetooth device that attaches to your key ring and connects to your phone, it gives you the opportunity to find the missing item if it's less than 30 feet away.
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"In a statement, the company said disabling the sync "will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience" and that "there are other third-party applications we could consider." In other word, it'd be Apple's loss."
Is there anybody in the world who would agree with this? A blind man can see that Apple has an interest in using iTunes as a method to keep their users locked to their devices.
That kind of thinking would get you in trouble if you were in the EU... oh wait, that only applies to Microsoft.
Mario,
Palm is is right, it would be a direct blow to Apple's control of the DAP industry. In essence by cutting Pre users off from iTunes once they are already committed to their Pre's they'll force a good deal of iTune dependent people to becoming iTunes independent.
Guess what iTunes independent people do? They go into stores and actually look at other DAPs than iPods.
With DRM-free music, there's really not much "locking in" to be had anymore.
@Mario,
I completely agree with you, I do not think it would be too much of a loss on Apple's side as opposed to Palm's.
@ Alan
You are also completely correct about the double standard (of sorts). The reason why the EU cares so much about Microsoft is that they are 90% of the computer market vs. Apple's 10%. Microsoft also had a previous history of putting core functions inside applications such as IE, so in the past you could not uninstall IE. I think it is great that users have the ability to uninstall IE, along with other MS programs, without affecting windows, however I actually think bundling is beneficial. For intermediate to advanced users, it is a slight pain, however, for many people, having a browser, media player, and a trial to an office program, is very helpful. Most users (sadly enough) do not know about alternative browsers (or even how to update their current browser), so having these programs accessible from the start is a benefit and one of Apple's biggest selling points (in the case of iLife).
...sorry for the rant
Actually the EU have been plenty mad at Apple recently for separating their European iTunes stores into individual entities and prohibiting other countries accessing the other stores, something that is illegal in EU law. I'm pretty sure in this case Apple are just saying they won't be checking to make sure the Pre works with any updates they make, as opposed to making threats. It's definitely Antitrust to actively try and stop the Pre syncing though, and I would be happy to see them being sued for millions if they tried that sort of action.
@TC
Apple would have a point of doing it intentionally without it being anti-trust: The Pre impersonates the iPod (or iPhone), as opposed to actually connecting to iTunes through the standard third party method (as seen with blackberry phones and other manufacturer's PMPs). Therefore Apple would not be locking out Third Party users, but instead "protect" their product (of sorts).
"protect their content"
It's not Apple's content to protect. If it's paid for, it's the users content. Apple does not own rights to the music in iTunes. Apple does not have to offer 3rd party support, but they cannot block the user from putting music on the Pre. That's illegal.