DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

iPods blocked from synching with Linux

22 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/ipods-blocked-from-synching-with-linux.68333/

gxsaurav
gxsaurav Original post #1
Sep 16, 2007 at 9:35 AM
iPods blocked from synching with Linux

*www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/09/ipodlinux-sync.gif

According to the blog iPodminusiTunes,

Apple has blocked the new iPods from synching with third party applications (i.e. anything that isn't iTunes). The most significantly affected userbase in all this is the Linux community, who've been able to upload songs to their older iPods using free software such as gtkpod and Amarok for a while now. The tweak to the new iPod database files doesn't appear to be incidental either, with a number being added to the front of the database file causing the iPod to be exclusively tied to a single copy of iTunes. Fortunately, the problem isn't beyond a little bit of reverse engineering, so Apple's rather pointless meddling could be reversed given time
There goes my dream of cross platform Drivers, Codecs & IM Clients :mad:
QwertyManiac
Sep 16, 2007 at 9:42 AM
Hm, just wait for a month will you? You'll start dreaming again.

Or rather, try reading the ENTIRE paragraph.

Fortunately, the problem isn't beyond a little bit of reverse engineering, so Apple's rather pointless meddling could be reversed given time
Gigacore
Sep 16, 2007 at 9:51 AM
This is really a sad news for LINUX users........
praka123
Sep 16, 2007 at 9:54 AM
for linux users :( from monopoly in the making?
iMav
iMav #5
Sep 16, 2007 at 10:35 AM
no no this not monopoly ipod is from the company who uses a unix kernel for its core softwares how can anything coming from a company that uses OSS but has never endorsed it how can it be bad ... they arent a monopoly rather they make hardware & software that is locked and under their scrutiny all the time ... how can they do anything bad ... afterall they are the company who made the revolutionary iphone which again they made sure is monitored by them and is locked who whom they see fit ....

This is not and i repeat not the signs of a monopoly ....
Help~Is~Here
Sep 16, 2007 at 7:23 PM
I'm sure rockbox will still work fine! :D
QwertyManiac
Sep 18, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Gx and his words.

*www.engadget.com/2007/09/17/ipods-unblocked-from-synching-with-linux/
iMav
iMav #8
Sep 18, 2007 at 11:37 PM
^^ a snippet form the link
engadget said:
For the time being, that unfortunately still appears to be a somewhat complicated process, although we're sure some less time-intensive solutions will be arriving before too long
QwertyManiac
Sep 18, 2007 at 11:46 PM
That's right, you quoted it yourself, 'For the time being'. If that'd been in the poster's mind, he wouldn't have screamed out.

Amusing to see you defend things.

And must I say the VMWare pain I guess one should take to sync with Zune?
iMav
iMav #10
Sep 18, 2007 at 11:52 PM
for the time being ... dude the whole world changes over time ... for the time being :lol: ... apple's un-willingness to provide support for OSS just goes to show their thirst for absolute market control and there by exhibiting their monopolistic behavior
QwertyManiac
Sep 19, 2007 at 12:53 AM
And Microsoft? Any better? Anyway, happy listening new purchasers, if any.
aryayush
aryayush #12
Sep 19, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Yeah, wake me up the day when it is possible to install Linux on the Zune (does this thing still exist?) or the Xbox.

(I do think that installing Linux on these devices is pretty stupid though.)
din
din #13
Sep 19, 2007 at 11:41 PM
iMav said:
apple's un-willingness to provide support for OSS just goes to show their thirst for absolute market control and there by exhibiting their monopolistic behavior

Why writing this much, I can make this sentnce very short - below ;)

Shows the 'Microsoft' way !!
iMav
iMav #14
Sep 19, 2007 at 11:51 PM
yeah fine with me ... if ur bashing 1 dont forget the 1 who follows ;) and now all of a sudden installing linux has become a feature for the ipod :lol:
infra_red_dude
Sep 19, 2007 at 11:55 PM
installing linux? i thot the thread was about syncing ipod wid linux!
iMav
iMav #16
Sep 19, 2007 at 11:56 PM
u can install linux on the ipod ;) ... ipodlinux .... though i find rockbox better coz i dont need to change or tamper with the file system ;)
aryayush
aryayush #17
Sep 20, 2007 at 12:01 AM
iMav said:
now all of a sudden installing linux has become a feature for the ipod
No, it isn't. It is an unwanted side-effect; a drawback, even. But it just goes to show that for all the bashing, just take a look at what the (non)competition has to offer.
iMav
iMav #18
Sep 20, 2007 at 12:04 AM
y u lookin at the non-competition :?: trying to deviate and save ur companies product :D
din
din #19
Sep 20, 2007 at 8:07 AM
iMav said:
yeah fine with me ... if ur bashing

Sorry man, never meant to bash or hurt. But MS is doing the same thing for the last few years. Monopoly and all related un-ethical stuff.

Anyway, back to topic. Evenif its time consuming or too-technical I think synching with Lin is a good thing.
aryayush
aryayush #20
Sep 20, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Synching is good; installing Linux onto an iPod is not.
infra_red_dude
Sep 20, 2007 at 6:56 PM
^^^ that has always been the case. when ppl can reverse engineer/devise ways and create drivers for hardware from no-where, yeh kis kheth ki mooli hai?
Zeeshan Quireshi
Sep 20, 2007 at 8:46 PM
Well , for the current time being iPosd Cannot sync with linux and that's a fast and you can't really help it !

Apple is at a fault this time and they have to accept it(and the fans too) and it'd be better if they published an Official driver for iPod else people will be forced to Reverse Engineer the iPod firmware :)