Posted on 07/15/2009 4:48:23 PM PDT by Erik Latranyi
Oh dear. We can't say this was a complete surprise, but it looks like Apple made good on its earlier warning and put an end to the Palm Pre-iTunes synchronization with the release of iTunes 8.2.1.
In the release notes, Apple states that "iTunes 8.2.1 provides a number of important bug fixes and addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices." Not wanting to believe the news, we bit the bullet and downloaded the latest version of Apple's music software to our PC and sure enough, the romance is dead.
Just as before, we connected the smartphone to our laptop and selected the Media Sync option on our Pre, but this time, it didn't automatically launch iTunes. Instead, it was only recognized as a mass storage device, and manually launching iTunes did not surface the Pre either (*tears*).
When asked for comment, Palm replied with the same response it had when Apple first issued its warning:
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.
Obviously, this isn't the best news for Pre users, but there are alternative ways to keep the iTunes-Pre synchronization alive. For one, you could just not update to iTunes 8.2.1, or as PreCentral.net points out, there are other third-party solutions, such as doubleTwist and The Missing Sync for Pre, that will allow to sync the smartphone with iTunes.
Ummm..., I don’t get it... was iTunes supposed to synch with this device. I don’t have the device, so I never knew anything about it and didn’t know if it was supposed to do that in the first place. Maybe someone could give me a hint about this...
You said — I lothe iTunes. Worst. software. ever.
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Actually, I would have to disagree, because I bought the software before it was ever at Apple, and it was the best software around for doing what it did. I thought those software developers did a *bang-up* job of designing their software.
And apparently, so did Apple, as they purchased it from those developers, after they gained a major marketshare in the market (for that software). And since that time, Apple has continued to improve and improve it all along.
I can’t see that it was ever bad software before Apple had it and it was simply developed by a couple of developers and I can’t see that it’s bad software now, since Apple has continually improved it ever since they bought it from those developers.
You said — It’s cumbersome, a memory and storage space hog, it’s slow, the output quality is audibly worse than any other player, it always tries to link me to websites I’m not interested in, it doesn’t play well with other software.....
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I’ve used this software before it ever came to Apple and it wasn’t cumbersome then and I can’t see that it’s become cumbersome now. That’s a real puzzle to me... :-)
And storage space hog... LOL..., that’s a big laugh. I have to laugh at that, because my biggest problem with storage space is basically storage for all the songs and audio books and movies and TV shows that I want to have access to. The iTunes software is so insignificant to my library of material that it’s sort of funny for me to even consider or give a second thought to software space. I’m trying to sort out space for my library of materials... :-)
And linking to websites is sort of weird, since I’ve never had the software link me once to any website. Now, that’s really strange. I can’t figure out why it never happens to me and it happens to you...
You asked — Why in the world does an “update” to iTunes require an 85 MB download?
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People have a lot of variations on their computers and to install the software properly on all varieties, it will download an installer capable of installing things properly. However, once that is done, you’re done with that and your software will not be increasing in size by 85 MB... :-)
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You also asked — Why does Quicktime try to force it’s way to being the default player for all media types after every iTunes update?
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iTunes and Quicktime work together. There is functionality on iTunes that is derived from Quicktime, as it’s a “package” for all sorts of codecs. It’s actually the best media software you’re going to get out there in computer land... :-)
But, if you didn’t want to use Quicktime, you wouldn’t have to use it, and you wouldn’t get the functionality that some of iTunes uses Quicktime for. You should consider iTunes and Quicktime and complementary to each other and part of a complete whole for media.
The iTunes store in particular. But anytime it can't locate information on the Web that's where it take you. EI has never taken me anywhere I didn't tell it to. But that kind of an apple and oranges comparison since one program is a Web Browser and the other is ostensibly a digital music player.
iTunes has been my default media player since before I got my iPod about 6-7 years ago (still running the same one, by the way, until I get an iPhone early next year).
I will say that on Windows XP, iTunes is a bit of a hog — it does take up a lot of memory and stays resident even when I don;t want it to. On a laptop PC that was already starting to strain at the edges of its lifespan, I simply had to remove it because it was the final nail in the coffin. (I’ve since wiped and reloaded XP on that computer, and am sticking to the bare minimum of software necessary.)
Now, on my iMac, iTunes runs like a dream. The only thing I don’t like — and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea anyway — is that it stops playing if you “fast switch” to another user. So if I’ve got a playlist going, and the Mrs. switches in to check email, it stops playing. But other than that, I’m good with it. There’s always new features to be desires, of course — I’d love a “metaplaylist” option (playlists of playlists) and a more rigorous “advanced” feature for smart playlists (”A or B” is a lot easier than “not C and not D and not E and not F and...” ).
Both my wife and daughter have iPods, so we have iTunes on several of our computers. I still haven't figured out what happened on my daughter's computer, but iTunes lost it's own license information and it wouldn't let us update, or uninstall. We couldn't delete the because we'd lose the licenses to all the iTunes music my daughter had purchased. Apple could fix it either. We left it alone without security updates until we bought a new computer and transferred the music to a fresh install of iTunes.
And storage space hog... LOL..., that’s a big laugh. I have to laugh at that, because my biggest problem with storage space is basically storage for all the songs and audio books and movies and TV shows that I want to have access to. The iTunes software is so insignificant to my library of material that it’s sort of funny for me to even consider or give a second thought to software space. I’m trying to sort out space for my library of materials... :-)
The startup time for iTunes several times that of Windows Media Player, Real Player, or Rhapsody. That's the hallmark of a memory hog. Other software runs distinctly slower when iTunes is running compared to the same software and any other player I've used. I haven't noticed it as much since upgrading my computer, but that still doesn't disqualify it's poor memory performance.
And linking to websites is sort of weird, since I’ve never had the software link me once to any website. Now, that’s really strange. I can’t figure out why it never happens to me and it happens to you...
Every time I search for anything in iTunes (music, album art, music licenses, whatever) the program sends me to the iTunes store and tries to sell me something I'm not interested in. Every time.
No, iTunes was never supposed to synch with this device.
Pre wanted to ride the iTunes bandwagon, so they built the Pre to _pretend_ to be an iPod if connected to iTunes - getting functionality they didn’t license (see the above USB ID comment), and virtually making Apple liable if iTunes didn’t play with the Pre the way users expected (user: “my Pre used to work with iTunes, but now it doesn’t - Apple sucks!”; Apple: “WTF?”).
Apple responded with an iTunes update that emphasized “we don’t support the Pre - PERIOD.”
My wife has the Pre. Very cool phone.
Bloatware. A pain to navigate. Devices notwithstanding, the Zune software is much better. I’m tired of software updates every couple of weeks and especially tired of being offered Safari.
That warm feeling doesn't last long. It gets cold in a hurry.
;-)
ctdonath2, you were saying — No, iTunes was never supposed to synch with this device.
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Perhaps the FReeper, “Erik Latranyi” bought one thinking that Apple was supposed to do that. I guess that’s one good reason for “getting the real thing”, eh?
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And then you said — Pre wanted to ride the iTunes bandwagon, so they built the Pre to _pretend_ to be an iPod if connected to iTunes - getting functionality they didn’t license (see the above USB ID comment), and virtually making Apple liable if iTunes didn’t play with the Pre the way users expected (user: “my Pre used to work with iTunes, but now it doesn’t - Apple sucks!”; Apple: “WTF?”).
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LOL, pretended to be an iPod, huh? I’m sure the salesman said, “It works just like an iPod.” too... :-)
Some consumers are just too dumb to live, I’ve really gotta say. They don’t buy the proper Apple product and then they get mad because Apple doesn’t support a product that they never intended to support and which is not even their own product... oh yeah....
I might as well call up Toyota because my Ford doesn’t work with their engine inside my engine compartment... wassa matter with them? I mean, if I bolt a Toyota alternator on my Ford engine, Toyota doesn’t even match the bolt-holes much less make it work right with my Ford. I think I should file a complaint against Toyota... :-)
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And lastly you said — Apple responded with an iTunes update that emphasized “we don’t support the Pre - PERIOD.”
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Well, I commend Apple for trying to “educate them”, but some people just can’t learn and/or understand these kinds of things, I guess.
I don’t get the pain to navigate thing although having used only it as my media player for 5 years now maybe I have just adapted. The few times I have tried Linux I fiddled around with Amarok which so many are in love with and that is what I found to be a nightmare to get do what I want.
It seems most people who don’t like it are on Windows. It is odd that the one Apple program most people have on Windows is one so many find bad. It seems like they would put tons of effort into it to try to get people to switch.
You said — I will say that on Windows XP, iTunes is a bit of a hog — it does take up a lot of memory and stays resident even when I don;t want it to. On a laptop PC that was already starting to strain at the edges of its lifespan, I simply had to remove it because it was the final nail in the coffin. (I’ve since wiped and reloaded XP on that computer, and am sticking to the bare minimum of software necessary.)
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Yeah, I can understand that. I’ve seen that happen with my computers on all sorts of software. If you keep the software at the same version as when you got it, then the computer should work fine. But, unfortunately, the software keeps getting better and more powerful and time goes along and the parameters that the computers were using in the past are not the ones that current-day computers are set up to use. So, if someone keeps updating software, but doesn’t update the computer, at some point, it becomes too much for the computer.
Now..., here’s the thing I’ve noticed with Apple products and with their software. Apple does keep improving its hardware over time, and at the same time it keeps improving its software. I know some software developers will sit on their software and they will leave it just like it is for two or three years, hardly changing or improving anything on it. Apple doesn’t do that. They keep rolling out improvements all the time.
That means that the person can either leave it at the version that they got the software, originally, or they can keep updating and keep receiving the improvements. If they do opt to keep getting the better and better versions, then they are going to need a better computer, because those software improvements are matched to computers of that day and not necessarily for one that is several years older.
The problem is, that people want the improvements but they don’t necessarily want to keep up with the computing power of today’s computers... :-)
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And then you said — Now, on my iMac, iTunes runs like a dream. The only thing I don’t like — and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea anyway — is that it stops playing if you “fast switch” to another user. So if I’ve got a playlist going, and the Mrs. switches in to check email, it stops playing. But other than that, I’m good with it. There’s always new features to be desires, of course — I’d love a “metaplaylist” option (playlists of playlists) and a more rigorous “advanced” feature for smart playlists (”A or B” is a lot easier than “not C and not D and not E and not F and...” ).
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Talking about “fast switch”, I’m sure you know but others might not. You’re actually switching the operation of the computer to another user. And yes, when you switch to another “user” on your computer (as each user has their own space and their own name and password), it does stop the music from playing on User 1 when you switch the computer over to User 2. User 2’s set-up and space and operation is being used at that moment, and User 1’s space and set-up and operation is not in effect during that time User 2 is at the computer. They are kept separate and isolated from one another, which is the idea between having different users and signing in for each one.
Is it something that *could* be done, in making iTunes continue playing on User 1’s account, after the computer was switched over to User 2’s account and being used there? I’m sure it could be done. But, I’m not sure if it should be done. I’m sure you can imagine the problem that would occur if User 2 wanted to play music at the same time that User 1’s iTunes was playing on the speakers... LOL... It would sound pretty weird... :-)
And there are other problems involved in that, in keeping each user space *isolated* from one another, which is the whole idea of those user spaces anyway, in the first place.
As far as features that you want and would like to see iTunes have..., I can say this about that. I’ve seen, over a period of time, that Apple keeps improving the software and adding features that users want. But, Apple doesn’t do it without one of two things being true (at least it seems to me). If there is something that a significant number of users want, they will incorporate it into the operation of the software. If it’s only a very few users that want it, I wouldn’t count on it. So, that’s one criteria. And then the other is that Apple adds new things to the software as it engages in its marketshare actions, namely things designed to outflanked and/or outperform competitors. And many times those are also things that consumers will like to have, too.
I’ve always thought that if I really really wanted some software that does exactly like I wanted, then I would just get in there and program something to do exactly as I wanted. But, when I figured out how much time and trouble and how so *not worth it* that would be for me, I decided to just go with the company who does the best job of providing for the consumer’s desires. And Apple seems to be the one that does that... :-)
That leads to what I see as a recurring theme among the “I hate Apple” crowd: they keep complaining that the stuff doesn’t work the way it wasn’t designed to. Two responses:
- if you cooperate with the system, it works remarkably well (the iPod just isn’t designed for drag-and-drop .MP3 use FOR A REASON)
- if you don’t like what/how it does, get something else (there are plenty of other options out there, so why spend so much time complaining about a system that a lot of people like?)
You said — Both my wife and daughter have iPods, so we have iTunes on several of our computers. I still haven’t figured out what happened on my daughter’s computer, but iTunes lost it’s own license information and it wouldn’t let us update, or uninstall. We couldn’t delete the because we’d lose the licenses to all the iTunes music my daughter had purchased. Apple could fix it either. We left it alone without security updates until we bought a new computer and transferred the music to a fresh install of iTunes.
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Well, there’s only one thing that I can think of related to what you just said about “license information”.
BUT, I want to first tell you about how Apple has finally convinced the Music companies to *not require* Apple to have license requirements on your computer, or else you can’t play your music. That’s what the music companies demanded of Apple, in order for Apple to be able to sell their music. They demanded that Apple put those license parameters in place on your computer, or they would not let Apple give you any music from their music catalogs.
However, now Apple finally convinced those music companies to dispense with that mechanism and you don’t have to have it on your computer any more, for the music you play. You can convert your music over to the non-DRM music (DRM - Digital Rights Management). I would do that as soon as you can. You can go to iTunes and get them all converted over for the music you bought. That’s something for you to do as soon as you can. Nothing happens that is necessarily bad if you don’t, but you simply dispense with the need for handling your music through what the music companies demanded that Apple do (or you couldn’t get the music from them).
Okay, back to the “license information”. The only thing I can think of, that is related to what you just said is the process in which you “authorize” your computer (and/or device) to play DRM-music for a particular user. You can authorize a certain number of computers/devices and not any more. That was the requirements that Apple was saddled with from the music companies. (with the movie companies, however, it’s another story; they’re not budging... :-) ....).
Now, if something happened to “unauthorize” a computer and/or device, your original catalog of music you have and bought does not disappear. The files remain and are intact in that original catalog you have. And here I’m talking about the software operation not something catastrophic that happens to the computer itself and/or the hard drive itself. For problems related to the computer and/or the hard drive, you’re supposed to keep backups of all your personal files (and that would include your music files, and movie files and/or picture files and so on). You have to always have backups that you have set aside in case of catastrophic failure, and that has nothing to do with iTunes or Apple or how you use your music. That’s just what computer users *must do* with all their personal files (of which “music” is one...).
So, anyway..., those music files are still there and they are intact (in terms of what the software does), even if the computer/device is not “authorized” (i.e., does not have the “license information” in order to play them). The music files don’t disappear (unless it’s a problem with your computer itself and/or the hard drive, but we covered that, in terms of “backups” which have nothing to do with Apple and/or iTunes). When you don’t have license information, you simply can’t play the DRM-ed music. If you attempt to play them, nothing happens to the files; they don’t disappear, they don’t get deleted; they don’t get corrupted. They simply don’t play — that’s all. Basically the software has nothing to do with them, but they are still there and they are not deleted in your original catalog.
You can even send the DRM-ed files to other people who are not authorized. All that will happen is that those files that you send to other people simply won’t play. If you were to go over to their computer and “authorize it” — they would start playing just fine. Nothing happened even when they get DRM-ed files that are not theirs. The file is still intact and it’s still *fully capable* of playing for the original buyer.
So, basically, there’s nothing that prevents you from doing whatever updates or upgrades to a computer, because updates and upgrades don’t delete and trash files — and that’s all that you music is — a file and nothing more. Now, if something you do to the computer *trashes your files* — I would say that you’ve got a problem with your computer and not with Apple. I wouldn’t ever have a computer that trashes my files by doing a system update or whatever... LOL... But, the bottom line here in regards to do updates and upgrades is to always backup, backup and backup (yes..., three times... :-) ...).
You could have continued to do your security updates without affecting any of your user files (or I should say that no security update should ever affect a user’s personal files, but I can’t say how well “Windows” does that... LOL...). I will say that doing a security update on Macintosh won’t affect any user’s files (and again, unless you have a catastrophic failure like a hard drive going down).
In terms of anything that goes wrong with the “authorization” process (i.e., the “license information”). At the most extreme, all you would have to do is de-authorize *everything* and re-authorize it again. That clears the slate. If the original software was corrupted for some reason, then a re-install of the software after getting rid of it first, would be in order and then de-authorize all computers/devices and re-authorize them again, to clear the slate.
And any time that a user is worried about the “status” of their original and personal files, that’s a *clue* that a “backup” is due... LOL...
Basically, your music file are simply files. You can authorize and de-authorize a device and it won’t affect your files. You should always have backups (multiple, at least three) for all your personal files (music, pictures, movies, documents, scans, software you’ve purchased, and “you-name-it” that is yours).
At the most extreme, all you would have to do is simply de-authorize your device (and you can do that from another computer), delete the software, and the re-install the software and then re-load the music files (if necessary, but most of the time that wouldn’t even be necessary) and then re-authorize the device.
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I should also say, that if a Macintosh user has a problem like that, with their “Macintosh computer”, all they have to do is carry their computer right on down to the Apple Store and talk to one of those Apple people at the “Genius Bar” and they will help you fix it. That’s why Macintosh users like Apple, their Apple Stores and the Genius Bar... :-)
Yeah..., for those in the computer realm, it’s kinda like this in the political realm — socialists complaining to capitalists — “Why isn’t capitalism more like socialism?” :-)
[ Of course, we know Obama is trying... hoo-boy! LOL ...)
You said — The startup time for iTunes several times that of Windows Media Player, Real Player, or Rhapsody. That’s the hallmark of a memory hog. Other software runs distinctly slower when iTunes is running compared to the same software and any other player I’ve used. I haven’t noticed it as much since upgrading my computer, but that still doesn’t disqualify it’s poor memory performance.
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I mentioned this before, about the improvements in software that Apple always makes and on a fairly consistent basis. Apple includes more features and it constantly improves what is already there. That’s one of the things that I like about Apple. They don’t let their software sit there and simply “idle” and never go anywhere. They are always working on it to improve it.
Now, the problem that people have with computers and software is something that goes “across the board” — in that newer computers have more horsepower and more space on hard drives and more RAM for various program operations. Those computers are getting more complex all the time and the software is getting more complex all the time.
For a company that hardly ever improves its software, it may not be noticed that someone is using an older machine, basically because they hardly improve the software. But for companies that always make it better, add features and make the software more powerful, you notice quickly that older machines can’t keep up.
So, it would appear that the companies that hardly ever improve their software have an advantage when running on older machines... but who really wants older machines... LOL... (and who wants companies who hardly improve their software?).
What *you have* as “criteria” is that if a software maker/designer never make their software better and more powerful, able to more things — then — they are “more efficient” — LOL...
And if you have a software maker/designer who adds features and more capability to their software to keep ahead of the market — then they are “inefficient” ... :-)
Ummm..., I don’t think you gain marketshare that way... :-)
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Of course, if someone really wants “more efficient” software in the manner described, all they have to do is stay with the version of software that was in place when that computer was new, and just don’t ‘upgrade” the software from then on. You’ll have the “most efficient software” around, then... LOL...
Sorry to spoil your very excellent soliloquy, but the problem wasn't the digital rights license to the music, it was the software license for iTunes. We kept getting an "iTunes license cannot be located" error when the software attempted to update or if we tried to uninstall/reinstall. And tech help from Apple couldn't fix it.
It is very possible that my experience with iTunes would be very different with a Mac. And that might well be intentional. I'm sure Apple would like to leverage their command of the digital music player market into the computer market. If one has an iPod which one loves, and it's software doesn't work well on a PC, but works beautifully on a Mac, one might well buy a Mac next time one is in the market. That's just smart marketing (unless you're Micro$oft, in which case it's illegal).
I should also say, that if a Macintosh user has a problem like that, with their “Macintosh computer”, all they have to do is carry their computer right on down to the Apple Store and talk to one of those Apple people at the “Genius Bar” and they will help you fix it. That’s why Macintosh users like Apple, their Apple Stores and the Genius Bar... :-)
And except for iTunes, I've never had a problem like that. I prefer a computer that I can fix myself for free rather than paying an certified "Apple expert." In 25 years of computer ownership, I've never had another computer problem that I couldn't take care of myself.
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