I was preparing to upgrade an iPod Touch to IOS 4 but I also had to head to the airport. I connected to iTunes and downloaded the new OS and decided to let the upgrade run while I drove to the airport. When I arrived at the airport the upgrade was complete and I packed everything up and figured I would sync the content when I got on the plane. Here is where the wheels fell off the wagon. I should have suspected this would be an issue but common sense would not let me believe Apple would do this again.
After reaching 10,000 feet I powered up my laptop and reconnected the iPod Touch to begin syncing. I was quickly prompted with an error that a connection could not be made to iTunes. Just like the iPad, the iPod Touch needs to be activated before you can start using the device. If I was at home or near an internet connection, this would be a non issue. I do not understand why Apple requires these devices to connect to an online service to become functional.
I never register my devices with iTunes but I have to wonder if this initial activation action somehow links the devices to my iTunes account. I don’t register the devices as I don’t think Apple needs to know how many devices I have purchased over time, and maybe it is my little privacy thing. I already dislike iTunes as it is a very heavy (and stodgy) app that has performed poorly with my large media library. Forgetting all of that, I was stuck at 10,000 feet with a non functional device requiring connection back to the mother ship for no real technical reason.
I could understand Apple saying this device needs to be connected to iTunes and Apple online in order to play or to install protected content like movies or games, but for non-DRM content, the device should be functional. I returned the iPod Touch as I have had enough of the Apple games. Do you feel like I do, that this need to CONTROL evidenced by Apple has just become too intrusive and gone too far?