News
Report: Apple to open up FairPlay DRM to accessory makers
By LC Angell
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Wednesday, January 17, 2007
News Category: iPod Accessories
Tech.co.uk claims that Apple will open up its FairPlay copy-protection technology to licensed iPod accessory makers. Apple is “expected to make two announcements this week—the first will be to allow streaming of protected AAC content via USB; the second will be to licence its Fairplay DRM to the company’s Made For iPod licensees,” the Tech.co.uk article says. “This will have the effect of enabling you to play songs bought from the iTunes Store through third party devices like hi-fis using digital connections. It may also mean that devices like iPod docks will be able to display more information—artwork and other track info, for example—which is stored alongside the protected audio.”
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1
sweet =]
Posted by Edgar on January 17, 2007 at 8:09 AM (PDT)
2
A very smart decision by Apple!
Posted by Galley on January 17, 2007 at 8:14 AM (PDT)
3
This is awesome!
Posted by Michael on January 17, 2007 at 8:17 AM (PDT)
4
Could this lead to iTS video streaming to devices other than the AppleTV? I’ve got an Elgato EyeHome that I’d love to use for my iTS videos.
Posted by Cool Cat on January 17, 2007 at 9:25 AM (PDT)
5
Yeah riiight. I’ll believe this when I see it.
Posted by urbanslaughter on January 17, 2007 at 10:16 AM (PDT)
6
seems kind of risky. it seems like this is going to make it easier for someone to get their hands on it and reverse engineer it to figure out a way to crack the DRM.
not me of course
Posted by 3ntr0py on January 17, 2007 at 10:23 AM (PDT)
7
people are continually reverse engineering Apple’s DRM as well as all the others. The difference is, they’re not selling products that take advantage of that (which would surely get them slapped with a restraining order ASAP). Apple isn’t really opening itself up to anything problems here, although it is surprising to see them take this step just as they are releasing their solution that does the same (AppleTV). That being said, it’s not a big deal either way if you don’t buy music from iTS.
Posted by Brett on January 17, 2007 at 10:35 AM (PDT)
8
EyeHome development is dead, but, that would have been a sweet update.
Posted by Gordy. in Atlanta, GA on January 17, 2007 at 10:59 AM (PDT)
9
They may as well open it up, the DRM is usually broken within a day of update.
Posted by stark23x on January 17, 2007 at 4:16 PM (PDT)
10
This may also be so that Apple don’t get abused for the limited Compatability of the AppleTV with older TVs.
Now they can say “if you have an older TV set, buy a {insert third party product} instead”.
Posted by Dan Woods on January 17, 2007 at 5:13 PM (PDT)