Apple: Third party (read Palm Pre) iTunes sync not supported; An update away from not working

Apple said that third-party claims---think the Palm Pre---that their phones can sync seamlessly with iTunes may be valid until the software is updated.

Palm has raised a little ruckus by noting that the Pre can sync with Apple's iTunes software. That's no small issue given that iTunes is the dominant music gatekeeper. Apple threw a few not so subtle jabs.

Let's read between the lines of Apple's statement:

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.

Translation:

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. We do this for a halo effect. Apple is aware that some third-parties---this means you Palm---claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. But you don't think that's gonna last long do you? 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. In other words, we're going to nix your sync feature as soon as we update. By the way, Steve says hi to Jon.

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