Apple locks the Palm Pre out of iTunes

When Palm announced that the Pre would sync with iTunes by spoofing its identity it was only a matter of time until Apple stopped this practice. With the latest iTunes update 8.2.1 syncing with the Pre no longer functions according to Businessweek.com.

It should not come as a surprise that Apple stopped supporting the device as it only wants authentic iPods and iPhones to be able to use their software. Palm did post a statement saying "Palm's media sync works with iTunes 8.2. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in 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 can consider".

Apple responded to the Palm's comment by stating that "iTunes 8.2.1 is a free software update that provides a number of important bug fixes," says Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. "It also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre. As we've said before, newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with unsupported digital media players".

What Palm does from here will be an interesting move. Will they admit defeat and no longer say that the Pre can be used with iTunes or will Palm take the low road and continue to look for alternative ways to get iTunes to recognize the Pre?

Unfortunately in this situation it's only the consumer who, again, is being put as a second class citizen by not being able to use the software of their choosing. This is not limited to Apple software as iPod users who would like to use the Zune software are also unable to do so.