Palm Responds To Apple's iTunes Sync Notice

Remember yesterday when we reported about that new and ominous iTunes support article?  The one that may or may not be a threat of breaking Palm's media sync, with Apple's exact words being "newer versions of Apple's iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players." Well Palm's not taking this lying down.  AllThingsDigital is quoting none other that Palm's own Lynn Fox as saying:

"Palm’s media sync works with the current version of iTunes. 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."

Lynn Fox (who, we can't help but point out, is a former Apple employee)  brings up the interesting unstable symbiotic connection Palm now has with Apple.  Palm benefits from having the Pre be iTunes-compatible out of the box and Apple gains new iTunes users, customers who may potentially buy from iTunes until they upgrade devices.  At the same time, Apple may lose iPhone sales to the Pre due to the iTunes compatibility but if they change how iTunes work, it could cause issues with Apple's own iPods or Palm could just issue an OTA update fixing that.  It seems, at least currently, that Apple's best bet would be to allow the Pre's Media Sync.

Of course if Palm does get shut out, Fox points out there are alternatives.  The regular USB mode would be good enough for many.  And for most everyone else, DoubleTwist has its own third party iTunes syncing solution available for the Pre right now, which itself may contribute to Apple letting Palm keep Media Sync; people are going to sync with iTunes anyway.  Regardless of what Apple ends up doing, it's clear there will always be options when it comes to the Pre.