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Stanza iPhone app crippled at Apple’s request
February 2, 2010 | 7:02 pm
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By Paul Biba
Stanza used to allow users to transfers books to the iPhone using a USB cable and WiFi via an accompanying desktop application. The latest update to Stanza removes the ability to sync books through USB, but leaves the WiFi ability alone. The version notes say “Removed ability to share books via USB as required by Apple.”
More info here and here.
Update by Chris Meadows: Ars Technica points out that the iPad’s OS 3.2 will have a provision for “an on-device shared storage folder” to be accessed as a USB drive in much the same way as most e-book devices’ on-board storage, and is optimistic that the iPhone will gain access to that capability as well.
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Comments:
Goodreader, the terrific app for reading large pdf’s, has likewise been crippled, and for the same reason.
Not upgrading either app until/unless forced to do so by a ‘push-out’. I only read professional and scholarly articles on my iPod. Not strictly necessary for my life, but a convenience I don’t surrender willingly.
(btw: thanks for posting this about stanza. seeing that there are *2* updates at the app store, and that one of them is for goodreader is what moved me to check.)
(iirc) Some version of the iPhone SDK (3.0?) added a public API to allow access to devices attached to the iPod dock. (the same API covers Bluetooth, I believe.)
I don’t have the documentation in front of me but I could have sworn that actually using this API required some license (or a specially licensed chip for a custom cable or some limitation like that.) just like regular iPods have required for years.
And it isn’t free.
I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong about the above (and I don’t THINK this is covered by some Apple NDA.) but that could explain it if the Stanza developers tripped over that license issue.
That would cover still allowing WiFi data transfer.
Or maybe (conspiracy theory – though I don’t normally subscribe to the ‘Apple is Evil’ meme that’s so popular in the blogo-sphere.) it’s because Stanza is now owned by Amazon and Apple is suddenly enforcing some iPhone SDK license issue they’ve been ignoring until now.
Or maybe we can blame the iPad and its upcoming iBookstore (everyone else is blaming the ipad for things, why not this one?).
Funny thing, but for quite some time now I’ve been aware that Apple did not allow third-party software to use USB syncing. I honestly never thought to check to see if Stanza or GoodReader supported it, because I just assumed they wouldn’t. I’m surprised they got away with it for this long.
Of course, since I jailbroke, I could theoretically use some third-party USB sync software. For that matter, I could even use scp to copy files directly into my iPod Touch’s file structure.
Except I’ve never been able to figure out where Stanza keeps its e-books…
Now I realize why there is no USB port on the Ipad. To prevent from being sued by the stupid DMCA laws. DMCA should have NEVER existed in the first place.
Instead of people pointing the finger at Apple and putting a negative spin on the Ipad, put the blame where it really belongs. And that’s on the government and big name corporations that control the government.
As Chris pointed out, the facility for all apps to have file transfer to/from their own area when connected to the host computer is part of the 3.2 SDK. so fear not, it will be possible to transfer stuff in a consistent ways to all apps, instead of sneaking content in via the camera app.
BTW, hardly “crippling” the app, IMO.
Apple are protecting their asses, plain and simple. They’re crippling the transfer ability to prevent piracy, and to keep their business ventures intact. It’s a smart move on their part, however it does disadvantage legitimate users…
Still, it’s not the end of the world. I wonder how long it will be before the iPad is Jailbroken?
Thanks for bringing this to our attention Paul,
Anthony.