iPad

[Mark J Dulcey]

On 4/7/2010 11:37 AM, Richard Pieri wrote:
> On Apr 7, 2010, at 11:09 AM, Mark J Dulcey wrote:
>>
>> In the same vein, I would rule in favor of Palm and against Apple on the
>> matter of syncing with iTunes. Apple does have monopoly-level power in
>> digital music, and therefore should be denied the use of bundling to
>> further that monopoly power.
>
> Apple publishes an API suite for syncing with iTunes, both on Mac and Windows, specifically for third-party vendors.
>
> Pre does not use those APIs.  Instead, Pre spoofs Apple's USB Vendor and Device ID codes.  In effect, Pre says "Hi! I'm an Apple Product".  Palm is (or was) using Apple's Vendor ID and Product ID codes in violation of it's own agreement with the USB-IF.  Apple's response to Palm's abuse is entirely reasonable in this particular case.
>
> http://www.usb.org/developers/vendor/

I know the technical details. And I don't care. The only way to provide 
a seamless experience with iTunes is to pretend to be an Apple device. 
And because of Apple's monopoly position in digital music, other 
companies should be allowed to provide such an experience, no matter 
what they have to do to achieve it. Antitrust considerations trump 
normal contract law in this case.