Thinking about syncing your new Palm Pre with iTunes? You may have to think again. Apple appears to be taking issue with Palm's claims that its new smartphone can sync with Apple's iTunes software.
The iTunes software, which runs on Windows or Mac computers, allows you to transfer music, videos, and photos between your computer and your portable media player (such as an iPod) or smartphone (such as the iPhone). When Palm execs were showing off their new Pre smartphone before it launched earlier this month, they made a point of demonstrating how the phone was able to sync with iTunes.
The ability to sync with iTunes was seen as a selling point for the Pre, especially when you consider that its biggest competition is the iPhone 3G and (soon) the iPhone 3G S. If all of the phones work with iTunes, then consumers have one less reason to opt for an iPhone over a Palm Pre.
But, as you might expect, Apple isn't quite as thrilled with the Pre's ability to integrate with iTunes. The company has posted a statement on its support Web site noting that iTunes may not always work with "unsupported third-party digital media players."
The brief statement reads: "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."
Apple doesn't mention Palm or its Pre smartphone by name, and the company does not say that it will put an end to the Pre's ability to sync with iTunes. Rather, the statement is just a reminder that Apple could do so, at any time, just by updating the iTunes software. If you were thinking about buying a Pre because it syncs with iTunes, you might want to think again, Apple seems to be saying.
Palm responded with a statement to the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital blog, saying that if Apple chooses to disable the Pre's syncing capabilities, "it will be a direct blow to their users."
Still trying to decide between a Palm Pre and an iPhone? Here are some articles that can help you decide:
*Palm Pre: Everything You Need to Know
* iPhoen 3G S vs. Palm Pre: Cost Comparison
Image © Apple
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