Palm pre which was able to sync with Apple’s iTunes 8.2 version and used the iTunes library to sync itself up by posing as an iPod to Apple’s iTunes, would be able to work with previous versions of iTunes.

Apple was soon able to figure out a security hole in the iTunes and announced in June that “does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players” and warned that “newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality” with them.

The hole has now been fixed by Apple,which was pretty much expected. Apple stated in the release of 8.2.1 that “also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre”.

However Pre’s response stated that if Apple chooses to disable media sync in iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience.Pre is also thinking of taking other third party applications to sync Pre in place of iTunes or it would enable a direct drag drop to transfer media files.

Apple might have taken a step to wipe out Pre’s one of the advanvantages but Pre has more advantages which Apple iPhone cannot beat, certainly the multitasking and the lower usage cost the difference comes to about $1200 between an iPhone and a Pre as per usage taken in a span of 2 years. The recent addition of Mojo SDK for Pre is another window which Pre might be looking at to increase  participation and give a healthy competition to the iPhone.

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The latest entries to this list are
iTunes Folder Watch[Freeware] keeps a track of your iTune synced folder and lets you automate the process of adding files to your iTunes folder.Runs effectively with Radiotracker [ $35]..Download

“Adding music to the iTunes library can be tedious, but you can automate that process with a free utility called iTunes Folder Watch. You can work it into your usual ripping routine, or combine it with a service like Radiotracker. As you record songs, iTunes Folder Watch will import them to iTunes.

–Zack Stern[read more on PCWorld]“

Dupe Eliminator: This is really useful in eliminating duplicate entries in your iTunes folder,this problem magnifies when one owns multiple PC’s keeping the same library.

“Launch Dupe Eliminator and it immediately scans your iTunes library, showing you every track–and every duplicate–in an easy to read interface. One more click, and all your identical files are trashed.Dupe Eliminator swiftly and straightforwardly cleans up your library, saving you hard drive space, hassle, and headaches. The only question is the hassle and headache of the price.” –Steve Horton[read more on PCWorld]

However a major drawback with the application is that it has only one single use and for that matter a $35 cost is on the Higher Side.

Download Dupe Eliminator Demo which only for 3 trials and after that asks you to restart the application.

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