Apple and Palm Exchange Words Over iTunes Sync

Apple has issued a statement via their knowledge base emphasizing that they do not support third party devices syncing with iTunes.

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.

Palm does not seem fazed by Apple's statement. And in a statement to AllThingsD the company said disabling sync will only harm customers.


“Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes,” Palm spokesperson Lynn Fox told me. “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.”

In the past statements by Apple to this effect have been followed up with action in the same regard. We will probably have to wait until the next version of iTunes to see how Apple has decided to act.

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