Editorial: Palm, iTunes, and the ties that don't bind
By Nilay Patel 
posted July 30th 2009 4:00PM
posted July 30th 2009 4:00PM
Let's just say it: this is insane.
It's hard to think of a single good reason for Palm to implement iTunes syncing in webOS by spoofing the iPod, and then to play this cat-and-mouse game of hacks and workarounds with Apple. Palm's actions makes it seem like there are no other ways for a device to interact with iTunes, and the company's outraged response to Apple blocking the Pre make it seem like Apple is wrong for forbidding non-iPod devices from masquerading as iPods. But that's simply not reality, and it's not fair to Palm's customers to have to sit through a proxy war with devices that may or may not work tomorrow because Palm refuses to do what so many other companies have managed to do and simply integrate with iTunes properly.
That's right -- integrate with iTunes. Although conventional wisdom would have you believe that Apple's hell-bent on forcing the iTunes-iPod-iPhone ecosystem down your throat, it's really quite easy to use all kinds of other software and hardware with iTunes. Seriously. For example, I use a piece of software called Connect360 almost daily, which instantly makes all my iTunes playlists and media available to my Xbox 360 over the local network. Funny how Apple hasn't blocked that in the three years it's been out. I also routinely use Serato Scratch Live, which allows me to DJ directly from my iTunes library and playlists within its interface without having to do anything except check a box -- Traktor Pro does the same thing. As for devices, Salling Media Sync and BlackBerry Media Sync both sync music from iTunes to my array of portables without any fuss -- or endless petty bickering with Apple. Sure, there are some interesting antitrust questions that arise anytime any single company dominates a market as thoroughly as Apple dominates digital music, but the primary consideration is whether or not two products are wrongfully tied together, and it's hard to make that case for iTunes -- for the most part the music is DRM-free and the library is straight folders and XML files, so there's nothing keeping anyone out or forcing you to use an iPod. I'm not saying we shouldn't scrutinize Apple's actions closely -- Steve and the gang certainly manage to do a lot of things seriously wrong -- but when it comes to syncing devices and software with iTunes there's almost nothing to even consider, since it's so easy.
Apple's sure as hell competing with Palm, and engineering a crucial feature to be wholly reliant on Cupertino's goodwill when vastly better options exist simply doesn't make sense. |
Yes, it would be nice if Apple made it even easier for third-party devices to sync with iTunes -- it doesn't make me totally comfortable that the world's largest music retailer has created a system that appears to be completely closed to the average consumer, even if it's not. Before the iPod existed iTunes actually directly supported a small list of third-party players, and while no one expects Apple to expend resources on supporting non-iPod devices, I'd love to see the company acknowledge the wide variety of devices that can sync with iTunes using additional software -- "You can use your BlackBerry or Pre with iTunes, but the best experience is on an iPhone" is a pretty reasonable message to send, and it would go a long way towards softening the proprietary image that persists even though the store is now DRM-free. I'm not holding my breath, though -- and considering the amount of ex-Apple talent at Palm that's more than capable of building a top-notch iTunes sync client, I don't think Palm's customers should be forced to wait either.
Doesn't have the resources? What do you think it takes? All they need is a moronic cult following to buy into their shit like Apple has. Oh wait, Palm consumers are too smart for that. You're right. No resources.
By all accounts, seemingly every resource at Palm was allocated to getting the Pre out the door. The Pre is obviously their focus, to the detriment of other products (which admittedly might not need that much shepherding technically).
I don't think they have the spare engineers, nor developers familiar enough with Win/Mac/*nix environments to spec, project manage and build a *robust* (as in, itunes-quality) desktop application across three platforms to do what they would need it to do in order to make it a viable alternative. Look at what Nokia and Sony Ericsson have come up with in the past for handling media on the desktop. Even Sony with the PSP media manager desktop application managed to make a pigs ear of it.
Hence, my suggestion - find a system that already exists, and works, and support it.
I disagree plainly with your thoughts. I hate MORE software. If I had a Pre which I wouldn't because it lacks the onboard memory to even consider syncing with my iTunes - anyway - I would just not update...
It is quite easy to NOT upgrade iTunes since it never changes, at least not in the way I use iTunes. I never and never will buy iTunes music and it seems as though all the updates are focused on the "iTunes Store" and not in the way iTunes manages music or Sync's with Apples devices.
RANT STARTS HERE
To start with I can't even get my ipod touch to Sync my podcasts or my playlists reliably, "Thank God Apple blocked the Pre!" Second, I've been asking for years that Apple add the ability to cluster songs so that when I set my playlist to random it can still play with some succinct ie if it randomly selects song "A" - songs "S" and "D" would follow or if it chose song "X" - "Z" and "C" would follow, "Thank God Apple blocked the Pre!"... Third I still can't sync my iTunes music folder on multiple computers through iTunes, like maybe a laptop with a desktop, "Thank God Apple blocked the Pre!"
I really just don't understand why Apple cares to address this at all, it seems ridiculous that they want to waste their Engineers on blocking that razor sharp and yet ironically pebble shaped craptastic Palm phone when I can't even Sync my Macbook with my Mac Pro's iTunes library without using someone else's software (Syncopation, it's awesome).
I'm just hoping someone will jailbreak my Blackberry Tour so that I can put WebOS on it and properly sync it to iTunes :)
like music? check out my blog at www.ilovememymusic.com
OMG! Pathetic article. You should commit suicide to free the world of one more useless oxygen consumer.
Do you realize you're just Paul Chapel in a different pair of shoes?
honestly though, none of the examples you used, nilay, are actually in itunes. they all used your itunes library. which is not remotely the same thing as opening itunes, and dumping your music in your library on to your pre. its like microsoft saying you cant hook x-brand monitors up to our pcs. unless you buy an extra piece of software. apple's draconian approach to all things itunes/iphone is simply unbearable. and i type this on my mac, which i love.
I concur 100%.
Ok I made this point on a different page!!!
Lets do a little roll playing for a second and we will switch up the name of the company. Imagiane if this was not a softwear company but an acual store. Lets use Best Buy for example.
Customer: hi would like to buy this CD
Best Buy: ok sir do you own a Best Buy CD player?
Customer: No I used to have one but they just came out with a CD player that is much better then the ones ones you have. They are called multi disk. The one you sell can only play one CD :)
Best Buy: Well you know you can only listen to our music if you own one of our players!
Customer: ok well I won't by any more music for you. Wait what about the 1000's of CD's I already have that I got from here I will still be able to listen to them... Right?
Best Buy: nope
Customer: so just because I don't like your CD player I can no longer listen to the music I already paid for on my multi player.
Honestly do you think anyother company would do this? I have spent hours and hours burning my CD's and buying music from itunes infact I have 39 days worth of music on itunes. So my point is I should be able as aa customer to listen to my music on what ever devise I want to.
Dear Best Buy sorry I drug you into to this I know you would never do this to me because you care about your customers :)
Except that your iTunes purchases are not locked in to the iTunes software or Apple hardware in the form of iPods/iPhones/Apple TV as you would imply by this example you made up. They never were, even when DRM was on all of the music. I have never owned an iPod or any other Apple device, but I did use iTunes a few years ago to rip all of our families CD's (1000+) into iTunes and purchased allot of albums that were missing from our collections on some of our favorite artists. Then i used iTunes to build collections of songs and burn MP3 format disks that gave hours and hours of play time and also put the MP3 songs on our verizon cell phones ( the only digital music players we have ever owned). No one has ever been forced or locked in to iTunes with their music purchased through the iTunes store, anyone that says that they are or were is is just trying inventing a reason to rally for something they want. "I want the software to do what I want on my terms not Apples so i'll make stuff up to make my side look like the victim here"
itunes music is DRM free.
You example fails.
This reminds me of the old saying, if you cant beat them join them. The palm pre looks pretty sweet and I must admit I with my G1 would have some sort of itunes integration but thats what I have have my touch for I guess.
Still apple is quickly turning into the close minded Microsoft from years paste.
It appears Palm is very desperate now that Pre sales have slowed down significantly. If Palm continues to lose money, I'd give Palm 12 months to live.
Palm Pre a KIRF of iPods?
I was interested with the Palm Pre once, and have been waiting for a GSM version to drop by our shores but with the USB spoofing they made (as their SOLUTION to sync with iTunes), it was cheap move for me and I'm losing interest on it.... I didn't jump on the 3GS bandwagon because for me there's simply not much reason to upgrade... I guess my next phone would be an android phone then (with so many upcoming promising models to choose from).
Dear Engadget and Fellow Readers,
I have loved engadget since its lo-fi early days, but I can't help but think the editorial opinions are increasingly obtuse. This recent piece by Nilay is a total piece of sh*t, and it is not well thought out.
I particularly love the choice bit copied below:
"It's hard to think of a single good reason for Palm to implement iTunes syncing in webOS by spoofing the iPod, and then to play this cat-and-mouse game of hacks and workarounds with Apple"
I buy technology and products because they enhance my life, lessen my load, and give me more free time for these reasons I love Apple and currently wouldn't consider investing in a non-OSX laptop. For these same reasons I also love WebOS (although I don't yet own a Pre because I live in the UK and am still waiting on a GSM model).
The above comment is nonsense, I am sure we can all think of a 10 reasons why Palm would want to pursue the aforementioned route towards iTunes compatibility. After reading the above piece I am inclined to believe tha Nilay and the gang are no privy-er to Apple and its dealings with Palm than we are. iTunes and its ecosystem dominates the digital music industry, it is easy and visually appealing software, and it has a large installed user base why wouldn't Palm want to integrate with Apple software. Why spoofing? Apple and Palm have had more than their fair share of tiffs, it is entirely believable that what Apple has approved for some of its less vibrant competitors does not hold for true for Palm.
As a final point, I agree that there are lots of Apple approved and third party solutions, and songbird has come a long way; but what kind of commercial or small print notice such as "Works with iTunes through 3 party software, or use songbird" puts the purchasing public at ease?
I click through your ad's, if they had deals I would even consider making a linked through purchase, all I ask for is deeper editorials.
go
"what kind of commercial or small print notice such as "Works with iTunes through 3 party software, or use songbird" puts the purchasing public at ease?"
You augured yourself there, mate - you're arguing against your own point. You're right, the Pre shouldn't rely on any one else's music-organizing software, and the "purchasing public" certainly isn't at ease with this goofy solution Palm gives them right now. This is the implied small print notice now: "Works with iTunes until Apple updates it again, in which case we will try to implement a firmware update that will hopefully make it work again. Maybe. Can't tell, really. Future is unclear. Ask again later."
"Apple is acting like a crazed totalitarian thug by not allowing their customers to use non-Apple devices to utilize their content. I would have never imported a single audio file into iTunes if I had known of their future changes and insane requirements. Now all of the work I have done organizing my content is now forcefully tethered to the iPod and iPhone? Why didn't they make that the rule from the get go? iTunes was around before the first iPod even existed, it was an OS9 only app which I remember using my Creative Nomad with alongside SoundJam, Audion, MacAMP and whatnot"
Comment on quix's comment: Apple made deals with major labels and THEY agreed with Apple as THEIR distributor and no one else. It is all about the money and agreement to distribute media (songs/video) and now apps. All of a sudden some wise-ass company stole their USB-ID device thingy to be recognised it's phone as an iPod. Apple's partner does not like that as now it is considered stealing. Apple is just protecting their partners. How would you like it if someone stole your identity and that person killed someone and you get blamed for it.
You forget just one thing: The average user does not want to mess around with "tools" to have his computer work. He feels uncomfortable or overstrained. Only nerds do. I perfectly understand Palm.
You forgot the other thing: That still doesn't make it a legitimate solution for Pre customers. Look at the image gallery and see how easily and seamlessly all other companies use the iTunes library, and ask yourself "Are those solutions really 'overstraining' and 'uncomfortable'?" No, they are not.
Sorry but I could not agree any less with this editorial opinion. I bought my Pre not for the sole purpose of its Itunes integration, but I am sure as heck not going to babysit another program just to use that function. I barely used the Palm Desktop app that came with my Treo 650, being able to use a full keyboard to input large amounts of contact data was it's best function. How many different programs do we need to keep updating and tweaking so we can integrate all of our devices?
If you could not integrate a smart phone with your exchange server without another layer of software and licensing issues, would business buy anything but a windows mobile phone?
Sorry but Apple is the one to blame in this or is the closed ecosystem arguments only fit when we talk about Microsoft? Give someone enough control over what you can do with the things you buy and soon you will be buying only what you are told to.
Great write up Nilay
I think its great Palm keeps enabling the feature and even tho it is a HACK - these kinds of hacks help open up closed systems that we all want to be OPEN anyway. The more this is forced and the easier it is to do, the more resources companies will have to dedicate to stopping it, and then when it finally becomes too much of a cost and hassle to deal with, they will just open it up anyway - and this is when we all win.
I think lock-ins need to go away for everything, no lock-in's to cell networks, no restrictions on what I use my phone to do and what I install on it, and no restrictions on what I'm doing with my dataplan on my devices.
Make these companies compete for our business on the customer service level, not because they are the only ones to get the shiney new phone or device we want to make our lives easier.
-D2G
Apple DOES NOT MAKE MONEY selling music (well leasing music actually) they DO MAHKE MONEY selling iPODS and IPHONES. So Apple has to protect the exclusitivity of iTunes or they would simply crash and burn.
apple sux.
OK, personally I don't really like iTunes because it doesn't always sync all my songs (with an iPod touch, no less) and its pretty slow starting up (on windows anyway).
And even if Apple completely shuts out the Pre's syncing capability with iTunes, BIG DEAL. Like mentioned before, there are plenty of alternatives to syncing music to your device (I just use WMP to sync to my phone, which would probably work great for the Pre as well).
Apple has created a monopoly with itune/ipod. It has used proprietary DRM for ~9 years to help ensure it. The fact that they quickly broke the syncing on purpose is proof of there intentions. There was no security related reason to break the syncing with the Pre.
Native syncing provides a better experience for the end user. There is no technical reason to use an external client app. An external app adds to the chain of things that can go wrong during a sync, and no one knows if apple will change the XML file format in the future.
Apple is hilarious.
I smell antitrust lawsuit smoke coming out of apple's rear end. I do not agree that MS should bend over backwards to acomodate the EU. The same way a car comes with whatever brand of tires windows has the right to come with whatever browser pre-installed. That is one thing, another thing is to tell customers where to put the data they rightfully own. This is the reason I have never used iTunes. I believe apple does a lot of things to tie you within their ecosystem. Companies like this cannot be trusted. Just ask why do they do things the way they do? why were they distributing DRM infected music from their store. Why can you only sync the music YOU OWN to ipods and iphones? why can you only install OSX in apple machines? why does their other hardware (keyboards, webcams,etc) work only with apple machines? why do they not release the windows drivers for apple hardware they only package as Boot Camp? I believe a good and trustworthy company should improve their products to please their customers and not just to fill their pockets with money. I believe people have the right to sync the music they bought to whatever device they feel like. This is like buying groceries at Costco and having them tell you that you can only put these groceries in a certain brand of fridge. Does this make sense to you or do you think you are being monopolized and/or take advantage of? I think apple better change their monopolistic way of doing things or somebody will start an antitrust lawsuit somewhere somehow.
This is just Palm's way of staying in the media's eyes. With the Pre's launch hype wearing off Palm needs to get the Pre back in the public eye. Although a good device the Pre can't compete with the iPhone's ability to stay cool and the wide use of BlackBerry in business. Apple and RIM easily stay in the news so Palm needs a scandal to get noticed and who better than Apple to go after to get publicity? Actually it is quite sad.
I could not resist commenting on this. First of all, why does so many people, including the author of the article, think Apple is the good guy here? They are not. It is truly as simple as, why does Apple think that no other piece of hardware should be able to sync with iTunes directly but hardware made by them? The comparison might not be understood by many, but if Microsoft or any other manufacturer decided not not let you use their software but with their hardware, we would all throw a fit. Now that Palm is pretty much standing up for all of us, we think Apple is the good guy? Once again, they are not. We would hate if Microsoft did not let us install other browser but IE on our PCs. Indirectly it is the same scenario.
What if HP did not let you use other mice, keyboards but their own on their hardware?
What if Dell did not let you use other accessories like speakers, monitors, headphones, cables but their own on their hardware?
The solution is not Palm developing their own software if I am an iTunes fan. It is Apple not having the right to not let me use whatever piece of hardware I wish with the software portal I chose to acquire my paid music from.
If I want to use a player by Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Nokia, etc to sync with iTunes directly, Apple should have no saying in the matter.
What the hell is wrong with these noobs commenting on Engadget. Turn the dam clock back and you would have seen how the industry kept blocking Apple, and nobody said diddle. Before the iPod hardly any of the manufacteres were making MP3 players for Mac Users.
These cry babies need to understand Apple earned their position they are in right now.
1. Palm needs to stop acting like a cry baby and make their own damn sync software.
2. For the ignorat guy that said Apple has a monopoly because of their DRM. Read more often please. Digital music retailers like Apple and were forced to have DRM or their asses would have been sued by the Record Labels. PERIOD.
It wasn't till later that the record industry realized they made a dam mess and it was by their own doing.
which leads to ...
3. Apple has for a while now sell DRM-Free music. So if a person wants to all they need to do is purchase just the DRM free music. Then if Palm does my Step Number 1. they can get the music on their PRE. Its not Apple responsibility to help you sync to competing devices. AND APPLE ISNT STOPPING ANYBODY FROM MAKING A COMPETING APP FOR SYNCING MUSIC ON A THIRD PARTY DEVICE.
The Bottomline is Palm has to pull up its bootstraps and start from scratch JUST LIKE APPLE HAD TO. Stop BLAMING APPLE you irrational nuts. You don't even know the history. Do your research before you start making yourselves look foolish. But that seems to be the norm with the Engadget nuts brigade of commentators.