This Week in Crave: Apple v. Palm, Round 2

(Credit: CNET/Screenshot by Bonnie Cha)

Another week comes to a close, and surely you missed some stuff. Here's a sample of some of our favorite things from Crave from the last five days.

• Palm throws down with Apple. After last week's iTunes update cut off the Pre's ability to sync with the service, Palm came back with its own software update restoring iTunes access. Apple, your move.

• The Plastic Logic e-reader will come equipped with AT&T 3G service built in.

• Scientists build artificial rat's brain, look to replicate human version next.

• False advertising: Transformers Edition Camaro does not, in fact, transform.

• Two big Apple rumors this week: An iPod Touch with camera (which is almost a given), and the Mac tablet pegged for early 2010.

• Who says there aren't any good Wii games? Not CNET's Scott Stein, who swears by Little King's Story.

[hightechfanboy]

Palm pre rules!!!!!!!!!! Well not yet but very soon. The game is on, as long as two companies fight to outdo each other, the consumer always win(well... most of the time anyways.)

[bchang1943]

still to the guy with more money in the bank

[robertorosco]

I wasn't a fan of the Palm Pre before, okay I'm still not, but this move by Palm has earned my respect.

[mikegraham88]

No matter how much I disagree with Palm's maneuvers in this situation, I have to say they have either the biggest balls of any company in the world, or they are looking at getting Apple pissed enough to buy them up. No marginally rational person would want to step on Apple's toes when it comes to their intellectual property.

[Mac User Too]

So your respect goes to those who choose to profit from the work of others? Pretty high standards, eh?

[Renegade Knight]

@Mac User Too

Syncing your music collection to your mobile device at no point rises to the level of "Apple IP". It's fair use and if Palm Enalbes it and Apple says "No" my hat is off to Palm and I would soon hope that Palm issues a touch competitor so I don't have to work with the company trying to make my fiar use enjoyment that much harder.

[tipoo_]

I don't know about you, but if I were a phone developer and I had two choices:

1) Write an app that parses an XML library and sends that information to my phone and requires the user to install the app on their PC in order to work.

2) Change the product ID that the phone looks like an iPod, saving me time and effort and more importantly removing the requirement for the user to install additional software.

Personally, I would choose #2. It certainly isn't illegal to change the product ID broad casted over USB. You might be able to argue that it is unethical, but I would counter that with the argument that it is more unethical for Apple to lock competing products out if that functionality. This is exactly the kind of behavior that Microsoft got in trouble for a good decade ago, having features that only MS products could access.

[Mac User Too]

For the record, what Apple has done re: Palm and others bears no resemblance whatsoever to what "Microsoft got in trouble for a good decade ago, having features that only MS products could access". This space is too confined to give you a history lesson, but do some research.

[make_or_break]

Mac User Too: from a basic perspective, you're right of course; Apple didn't twist anyone's arm in order to deny access to alternatives like MSFT did with computer manufacturers. But at the same time you're missing a key point. Ultimately the end result is the same, even if the platform is different. Consumers are denied (or more specifically, greatly hindered from) free choice in either circumstance. It's true that a user could find an alternative media management app to work with their media library with another device like the Pre, but then again a consumer back in the bad ol' Microsoft monopoly days could go out and download a Linux distro and do with it what they want as well. But in both instances it still amounts to the market leader denying easy access to workable alternatives for the consumer.

[dandy1117]

I am amazed at the extent of misreporting occurring about this ongoing story regarding the Palm Pre syncing with iTunes. Apple is not blocking the Pre from working with iTunes or syncing music from its store. In fact, there is software, on the market, by Blackberry and others to allow syncing of the iTunes music with other devices and even game consoles. The issue is that Palm is syncing iTunes by PRETENDING to be an iPod in iTunes. (There is even an iPod icon next to the Pre when it is attached to iTunes)

Palm could and should, for the sake of their customers, write a sync app like all other vendors using the tools that Apple provides specifically for this purpose (an open standard XML file with information about the iTunes library). It is the improper use of the iTunes software that is at issue.

[robertorosco]

Thank you for filling us in ;D

[monkeyfun14]

But thats not as juicy

[TheBoots]

Enlightening, very enlightening. Thank you, dandy1117.

[lechtenb]

I'm an iPhone user but I'm happy to see Pre increase the competitive pressure on Apple. Even though the iPhone rocks, the Pre will force Apple to ramp up its innovations which is a good thing for all iPhone users.

[TheBoots]

Apple has always been operating in a very intense competitive field. It is the only company that was written off by pundits, Dell, etc. and came back. So it knows whence it came from and is very focussed on where it wants to be, unlike MSFT. The latter has lost its way.

[Renegade Knight]

Palm is making a comback. Weren't they written off by pundits?

[DanRobinson]

I agree with Lech. Keep the competitive pressure on! We can't make it TOO easy for Apple to be better than everyone else.

[grasshopper27]

Here's the truth guys: Apple created itunes, a revolution in the industry undoubtedly. Pre wants to leach off Apples creativity because they are unable to do the same, maybe because they're not smart enough or talented enough, but i would have more respect for them if they created something new on their own, after all that is what competition is all about creating better stuff, not leaching off the works of others. Some people call the Pre brave, I call them untalented. remember, they also copied the iphone as well.

so there's the truth guys.
peace out.

[heymikemason]

Yeah! 'Cause Apple invented the computer jukebox! Wait a sec- MusicMatch Jukebox called. They want their interface back. Still, we SHOULD give Apple credit- they did manage to create a simple way to sell compressed music to people who don't care about sound quality. Score.

[bonsaiway]

I got no idea what this discussion is all about.Tech writers, bloggers, comments all get their knickers in a twist about this. All they have to do is check Apple's ever helpful helpfiles (google: itunes xml library)

The helpfiles at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
make it quite clear and easy to get access to the iTunes playlists, no licensing required:

-----begin quote http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660 -----
Summary
The iTunes library is a database iTunes uses to organize your music. Two iTunes library files are created and maintained by iTunes for different purposes. They're both in the iTunes folder.
...
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml

Microsoft Windows
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music Library.xml
...

iTunes Music Library.xml

This file contains some (but not all) of the same information stored in the iTunes Library file. The purpose of the iTunes Music Library.xml file is to make your music and playlists available to other applications on your computer.

-----end of quote http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660-----

Now, if you read this, and work for Palm, take this information to anyone in your company who has heard of xml and write your own sync application please, your shareholders and customers are waiting!

[mratcliffe]

I do not need ITunes nor would I use it. Real Player does it all at no cost and it sure is easy. The IPhone is a wonderful phone, I perfer the Palm Pre. The last time I checked America is a free to choose country.

If the Palm Pre is not a problem for Apple then they will not take the time to swat at the Palm Pre fly.

Who cares what smartphone is best, enjoy the ride!

[brynn08]

just another reason why apple and att suck....lets not get jealous becuz a phone syncs into i-tunes....iphone users get butthurt like its there product....thats pretty GAY if u ask me.