Wireless iPhone sync software rejected by Apple from App Store
Apple this week rejected "Wi-Fi Sync," a third-party application that allows the iPhone and iPod touch to sync wirelessly with iTunes.
The developer, Greg Hughes, has instead turned to the unauthorized source for iPhone software, Cydia, which is available only on "jailbroken" devices that can run software not approved by Apple. Wi-Fi Sync is available to purchase through the Cydia Store for $9.99.
Hughes told Engadget that an Apple representative told him over the phone that the application was not specifically in violation of the terms of the iPhone OS developer agreement.
"While he agreed that the app doesn't technically break the rules, he said that it does encroach upon the boundaries of what they can and cannot allow on their store," the developer said. "He also cited security concerns."
Wi-Fi Sync allows an iPhone or iPod touch to wirelessly transfer data such as music to the device without tethering it to a computer via a USB cable. It is not supported on the iPad. The current application works with Mac OS X and requires separate, free software to be installed on the machine running iTunes. Hughes said a Windows version of the desktop application is forthcoming.
The developer first introduced the application in late April.
Apple has maintained tight control of the ability of its devices to sync with the iTunes desktop client. Last year, the iPhone maker was engaged in a well-publicized sync spat with rival Palm.
Originally, Palm's WebOS mobile operating system identified itself as an iPod to allow the device to sync with iTunes by default. But Apple released numerous iTunes updates that killed the functionality. The back-and-forth battle continued for months, until the USB Implementers Forum sided with Apple and warned Palm that its actions were in violation of the organization's rules.
The developer, Greg Hughes, has instead turned to the unauthorized source for iPhone software, Cydia, which is available only on "jailbroken" devices that can run software not approved by Apple. Wi-Fi Sync is available to purchase through the Cydia Store for $9.99.
Hughes told Engadget that an Apple representative told him over the phone that the application was not specifically in violation of the terms of the iPhone OS developer agreement.
"While he agreed that the app doesn't technically break the rules, he said that it does encroach upon the boundaries of what they can and cannot allow on their store," the developer said. "He also cited security concerns."
Wi-Fi Sync allows an iPhone or iPod touch to wirelessly transfer data such as music to the device without tethering it to a computer via a USB cable. It is not supported on the iPad. The current application works with Mac OS X and requires separate, free software to be installed on the machine running iTunes. Hughes said a Windows version of the desktop application is forthcoming.
The developer first introduced the application in late April.
Apple has maintained tight control of the ability of its devices to sync with the iTunes desktop client. Last year, the iPhone maker was engaged in a well-publicized sync spat with rival Palm.
Originally, Palm's WebOS mobile operating system identified itself as an iPod to allow the device to sync with iTunes by default. But Apple released numerous iTunes updates that killed the functionality. The back-and-forth battle continued for months, until the USB Implementers Forum sided with Apple and warned Palm that its actions were in violation of the organization's rules.
Comments
Wow, did we all buy our iPhones or are we just renting them from Apple? Even if I rented a laptop, I'd still have the freedom to put software on it.
If you think Android is open, you're wrong!
This is why jailbreaking is the only way to have a iPhone.
Nope. This is why sophisticated users prefer Android. No bullshit.
Nope. This is why sophisticated users prefer Android. No bullshit.
Android market is not good enough for developer. People also want the apps are free like the OS.
Nope. This is why sophisticated users prefer Android. No bullshit.
lol @ sophisticated users...
I mean, the sync is deep down in the system, isn't it? So how did he manage to fool the system and make it work, because the way I understand it, the sync is the same as when done over the usb cable?
I'm actually surprised Apple have not introduced something like this themselves (maybe they are planning to).
Wow, did we all buy our iPhones or are we just renting them from Apple? Even if I rented a laptop, I'd still have the freedom to put software on it.
You have that freedom now, you just can't download it from Apple. If the app store doesn't meet your needs, by all means find an alternate. I can't tell Apple what apps to sell, and Apple can't tell me what I can do with my devises.
Nope. This is why sophisticated users prefer Android. No bullshit.
are all 'sophisticated' users trolls like you?
It's selling for $10 on cydia.
Apple was right on this move. See the demo first, then reply.
Apple needs to come to terms with the disadvantages of using a 20+ year old programming language that has seen little modifications (properties, closures) over that time.
I see the trolls are out in full force today. I bet if this gets popular, Apple will implement it anyway in a later update. But the real question is, even though wireless syncing is cool, what happens if you just want it to charge and transfer data fast at the same time? Sometimes wires are still better than wireless. I mean, you'd still have to plug in a wire for power anyway, so it might as well be the wire leading to your USB port.
I don't transfer content on my device regularly anyhow. And since I have to charge my device via USB, that's also when I do content transfer if any is required.
Besides, aren't there apps which allow complete access to all your media wirelessly without having to be physically stored on your phone?