Quote:
Originally Posted by sk8bit
its similar to the restrictions you have when taking a random iPod thats been synced with another computer, iTunes will refuse to import the content because "it doesn't know if you got it legally"....
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That's sort of correct. In actuality, this "feature" exists for two reasons:
1.) Obligated by RIAA + associated music labels, to avoid being sued. (Remember, this started in 2001 with the first iPod when Apple was an also-ran in the computer world, not the 800 lb. music gorilla).
2.) Deliberate design decision. Steve Jobs announced, and implemented, a strategy of "Mac computer as Digital Hub", where one's Mac would be the central device to create and manage content across multiple personal devices.
The "hub" stores all content and syncs it to the secondary device (originally, the iPod). Want to edit metadata? Edit it on the hub and it syncs to the iPod. You can't edit meta data on the iPod: the secondary device is supposed to be a mobile version of the exact information from your hub.
Hence, the iPod syncs from one iTunes Library because that's your hub. They're specifically designed not to sync with multiple libraries. Nor is the "hub" synced from the device- the device gets information from the hub, not the other way around*.
Doing it otherwise brings up syncing issues- if multiple versions of the same file exist (A on the original mac, B on the iPod, C on another PC), which is the correct one and how do you adjudicate conflicts? Hub->device simplifies this. The information on the hub is the master, everything else mirrors of it.
The alternative to syncing- sync ensures same info on multiple devices- is just copying: "Gimme the file, I don't care what it says." That would make the iPod nothing more than a personal file-sharing device, a mobile Pirate Bay. In such a case, refer to point 1, re: getting sued to smithereens.
So, anti-piracy plays a part, because the RIAA mandated this. Most of the design is due to a carefully thought out metaphor**, not just arbitrary decisions.
(* This changed with the iPhone 2.0, obviously, but only in regards to purchasing music on the device and adding it to the hub. One the hub has the data, it becomes the master again.)
(** A metaphor admittedly designed to add value to a Mac by making it the hub, on which to create and manage data. As a hub, the Mac would be indispensable and people would continue to buy them. It's a sales strategy, but selling based on adding functionality. Many of Apple's products- such as iPhoto and iMovie- are best understood as parts of the "hub creates, secondary device displays" strategy.)