Industry group backs Apple's block on Palm Pre sync

Non-profit industry standards group the USB Implementers Forum is siding with Apple in response to a complaint filed by rival device maker Palm that alleges Apple restrains trade by blocking the Palm Pre smartphone's access to the iTunes digital media storefront. In its complaint to the USB-IF--an organization dedicated to promoting and marketing USB, Wireless USB and USB On-The-Go standards, maintenance of the specifications and industry compliance--Palm charges that Apple is abusing standards instituted to foster interoperability between computers and devices using a USB connection by enabling only its own devices to connect directly to iTunes software. But the USB-IF disagrees--in a letter sent to both firms Tuesday, it also warns that if future Pre software updates include Apple's vendor code (a move Palm indicated in its complaint it would make to restore iTunes access) it would violate the forum's rules. The USB-IF asked Palm to clarify its intent and respond within a week about the potential violation.

Palm spokesman Derick Mains told The Associated Press the company reached out to the USB-IF because it believes consumers should be able to decide how they use media they purchase without regard to copy-protection restrictions. Mains added that Palm is reviewing the letter and will respond if it feels it is appropriate.

Palm first confirmed the Pre smartphone would enable users to synchronize with iTunes at The Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital event in late May. Palm executive chairman (and Apple veteran) Jon Rubinstein said users who plug their Pre into their computer would be offered the option of using the device as a USB drive, charging it or beginning a "media sync" session--the device would sync with iTunes, although it would not be able to download DRM-protected digital music or mobile applications optimized for Apple's iPhone or iPod touch.

In mid-July, Apple made good on its threat to guarantee newer versions of iTunes would not provide syncing functionality with non-Apple media players via the release of its iTunes 8.2.1 update. "iTunes 8.2.1 is a free software update that provides a number of important bug fixes," an Apple spokesperson told BusinessWeek. "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."

The cat-and-mouse game continued a week later with the release of Palm's own webOS 1.1 update, which the device maker promises re-enables media sync. "That's right--you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes (8.2.1)," wrote Palm VP of business products John Traynor on The Official Palm Blog.

For more on the Palm/Apple spat:
- read this Associated Press article