Is Apple Cutting Linux Users out of iPod?


iPodMinusiTunes reports that the latest iPods no longer work with Linux tools like Rhythmbox, gtkpod and Amarok, which allow Linux users to access their iPods without iTunes.

The block appears to be the iTunesDB file, which keeps track of all the songs and playlists in an iPod. This file expanded to encompass video and album covers, as iPods' (and iTunes') capabilities grew. But this is the first time that the iTunes database is locked to a particular iPod. So when connected up to a Linux box, the iPod reports '0' songs.

There will be hacks and revisions to existing tools to make it work again, but the question is - did Apple do this deliberately? Or was it forced upon the company by DRM strictures? There seems to be no real reason to lock out what must be a fairly small base of iPod users who employ Linux as their primary OS for interfacing with their iPod. The point is, Apple doesn't have to support Linux, but it doesn't hurt to let other *nixes in.

After all, Macs can be Linux boxes too.