Apple to remove the 100 song cap on iTunes phones?

We don't have a ROKR hanging around the office right now to try this out, but Evan DiBiase may (or may not) have come across upon a rather important feature in iTunes: an upgrade for iTunes phones to remove the infamous, dreaded 100 song cap. We can definitely confirm that the above image / dialogue shows up in iTunes (snap taken from iTunes 6.0.1.3), but it's still not exactly the least oblique language in the world, we can only assume here. Still, we kinda figured this would be coming sooner or later -- if Apple wants any future in musicphones, removing that iTunes cap is absolutely completely necessary.

Update: Well, it was fun while it lasted. We've just received word from Apple that the 100-song cap is staying in place. Eddie Cue, the product manager for iTunes, spoke to Engadget's Ross Rubin, and confirmed that the upgrade screen exists for non-US customers, some of whom initially had caps as low as 25 songs, and brings their phones up to the 100-song limit. Of course, the very existence of the upgrade system raises tantalizing possibilities for the rest of us, but for now, that's all that's being raised.

[Via TUAW]

iTunes link

[Jordan @ Feb 16th 2006 8:48AM]

Oh man, I've got to try this with my SLVR! iTunes updated last night through Apple Software Update, but I haven't sync'd my phone since then. Now I'm stuck at work with no way to try it! :(

[Paul McGreaves @ Feb 16th 2006 9:45AM]

How is this feature Accessed?

I have just upgraded iTunes to the latest version, however there seems to be nothing new.

[Can0Spam @ Feb 16th 2006 9:45AM]

I have 6.0.3.5 and a RAZR V3i w/iTunes (From Vietnam). I haven't seen this message.

[Can0Spam @ Feb 16th 2006 10:15AM]

After reading the article this link was in the text...

itmss://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/upgradePhone

This opens an update window in iTunes. It then updates the phone.

[dave @ Feb 16th 2006 10:20AM]

Doesnt seem to do anything on my SLVR either - it's via the itunes music store...says connect your phone, click ok, you see it 'accessing music store' but doesn't seem to be doing anything to the phone...usually you will see 'do not disconnect' when the phone is updating...Must not be activated yet..

[sma @ Feb 16th 2006 10:37AM]

it seems that this might be something available in the future. apple probably doesn't have the firmware/software available for download yet.

[Bob Aman @ Feb 16th 2006 11:23AM]

Not that I care since I'm personally a fan of Samsung phones, but what's stopping some random hacker from modifying the upgrade code to allow a large number, like, say, 10000? If they can crack OSx86 and make it run on normal PCs, surely a quick modification to iTunes would be within the realm of possibility? (I have no idea what I'm talking about, however. Grain of salt.)

[sbono13 @ Feb 16th 2006 11:42AM]

I don't see what the big outcry is all about. 25 songs is plenty... I can only fit about 13 on my 64 MB flash player.

[Rudolf @ Feb 16th 2006 11:48AM]

What the hell is the point? God damn, why should anyone want Apple to gain a semi-monopoly in the musicphone market as well?

[Ben @ Feb 16th 2006 12:01PM]

But you can get a MicroSD card with capacity's of up to 1 gig .... thats at least 200 songs you could fit on a phone.

Kinda sucks really ...

[matt weeder @ Feb 16th 2006 12:19PM]

Just tried the update with my roker and the amount of songs is still at 100. Did not seem to do much at all. Oh well another product that has so much pontential... wasted.

[derek @ Feb 16th 2006 1:15PM]

That stinks... the slivr looks like a cool phone. I'll stick with my old phone/ipod combo for now

[Matt @ Feb 16th 2006 1:30PM]

Good job staying anti-competitive, Apple.

[00011000 @ Feb 16th 2006 1:38PM]

anyone know where i can get the itunes software. I have a SLVR, bought it in Ireland with Vodafone, but didn't come with iTunes. Is there a way to get it on there?

[APPLE SUCKS ITS FOR FAGS @ Feb 16th 2006 2:04PM]

why do those stupid idiots put a limit on the phone anyway? to force people to pay more for a new phone?

I hate apple so much... I really really really hate that company.

[Diggie @ Feb 16th 2006 2:04PM]

I dont get why it matters, it can only hold up to a 512MB memory card? Not much more songs than 100 can be held anyways

[Christian @ Feb 16th 2006 5:02PM]

Hack the limit: Not possible, becuase the limit is hardware encrypted in addition to a software key that is needed.How many people are going to hack the hardware; not many!

Why limit is bad: 1GB transflash cards are availible and I would really like to carry more music with me to select from even if i can't realistically listen to more than 100 of the 300 songs (8 hour day) I could fit in that much disk space.

#14 People have tried to Flash iTunes onto non itunes version phones (V3i and SLVR) and it is believed to currently not be possible unless you bought a prototype phone, becuase non prototype models have hardware based encryption that will not allow you to simply flash the phone with the itunes software. The harware and software keys work together on non-prototype phones to enable itunes and that 100 song limit.

The prototype phones lack the hardware encryption, so if the back is stamped engineering sample, your in luck otherwise forget about it.

[epp_b @ Feb 16th 2006 5:11PM]

I've never had any experience and know very little about this. But, from what I understand, there's a "fake" limitation to 100 songs for no good reason? That is stupidity on a whole new level.

[ScottE @ Feb 16th 2006 6:04PM]

# 7

I couldnt have said it better myself.

[x23 @ Feb 16th 2006 6:15PM]

"13. Good job staying anti-competitive, Apple. "

last time i checked apple had plenty of competition. did they buy everyone out and force them out of the market? i must've missed that press release.

just because the competition lacks the ability to gain consumers doesn't mean there isn't any competition. it just means there isn't any *viable* competition. that is hardly apples fault.

[Gordy @ Feb 16th 2006 10:51PM]

Again, when would you listen to 100 songs on a phone? It's a fuckin' phone! This complaint is so stupid.

[Tim @ Feb 17th 2006 10:03AM]

You're right, Gordy. Who would ever need more than 100 songs to listen to? I'm amazed anyone wants these DAPs that hold 60GB. 256mb is the way to go.

[Greedyguts @ Feb 18th 2006 3:00PM]

Give me a car adapter for a factory or aftermarket head-unit and I'll show you EXACTLY when you're going to listen to more than 100 songs, charge your phone, and use your phone in a better manner while sharing the road.

It's not like you're going to listen to 60 gigs of music without plugging in some power. Unless you're out in the wilderness, in which case you should be heads down hiding from VP's and not wearing bright orange, you will most likely encounter another computer or audio reproduction equipment (stereo...say that word because you might forget it and confuse people when you say you need a RF-TN 4ur HT-HU+HDMI. Ok...you won't confuse people, but some marketing company will trick you into paying $100.00 US for a 6ft coax cable with different letters on the bag and a little bling to show your wall.

As to the horrible way to buy? I must have completely missed the part where they stopped you from putting songs on as many ipods as you own. What's up with that? Why would they do that... OH they didn't!. Just like not buying up the competition. in fact:

" Burn songs onto an unlimited number of CDs for your personal use, sync music to an unlimited number of iPods and play songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store on up to five Macs or Windows PCs."

http://www.apple.com/itunes/music/

Guess some people don't know the 5 real friends rule, fail to understand that drug friends aren't real, or don't trust their friends at all.

I'd want to remove the 100 song limit. If the 25 song limit could be removed then logic, with a couple of best guesses, dictates that the 100 song (not a comp-sci number) limit can also be updated to a higher capacity. Let's not forget that the hymn project had a run on itms decryption until version 6. This is a matter of snooping the update on a limited phone and some deep digging. Apple will probably allow sooner or later and the first offer might be to only allow it on unlocked phones (come into a store, get it unlocked, drool at that new slvrverevverar while you're in there HINT HINT).

[wise @ Feb 20th 2006 2:15AM]

Motorola E398 and E1 Rokr is almost the same phone except that Motorola added a little more feature to E398 and name it ROKR. It is a decent cell phone for the price but unfortunately many people in US want clamshell phones. Other then that it is a very good phone with many features for the price. The unlocked version of it is being sold by Romeohifi.com and 1worldgift.com for very reasonable prices. For more information check out this link.
http://www.romeohifi.com/gsmworldphones.html

[paolo @ Feb 23rd 2006 4:24PM]

Haven't you ever realized Apple is always having monopoly or owning an independent part of market yet ?

[dan @ Feb 25th 2006 9:27AM]

Keyword here, "PHONE", if you want to hold 1GB worth of music, then buy an MP3 player

[Hans @ Feb 27th 2006 6:27AM]

The ROKR i just bought has a 50-song limit. so now Apple wants me to pay $44.95 to upgrade it to be able to put 100 songs?!!! this is unbelievable!

[WGIII @ Feb 27th 2006 1:30PM]

The first mistake you all made was buying into Motorola's/Apple's iTunes BS.

Being an owner of a Sony Ericsson K750i, I have no song limit, aside from the size of memory card used. Currently have a 1 gig which holds my songs, pictures and videos. I don't need to use iTunes with the SE in order to put songs onto my phone. I use Bluetooth connection and transfer the songs from my pc to the SE. I can even tranfer songs to my friends cell phones via BT.

Not to mention the K750i is a 2 Megapixel Camera comparred to the Motorola's inferior vga camera.

It pays to do your research.

[D @ Mar 1st 2006 10:41PM]

Are you saying I shouldnt invest in a Motorola SLVR, and do you have to really pay to download the music onto the phone? Please let me know, before I make a mistake getting it.Thanks D

[karim @ Mar 8th 2006 11:48AM]

I bought a vodafone SLVR (german model) and it does not come with itunes. Is there a way i can add itunes to it??

[randy @ Apr 19th 2006 11:08AM]

ummmmm.... im kinnda having the same problem with karim. but i do know, that if you get a unlocked slvr it will not have the itunes software. im not sure if this is a dumb question,but can if somehow or anyhow still get itunes even when your phone is unlocked?
if you have any answer please tell me. i will aprreciate it a lot. thanx!

[Al Hu @ May 7th 2006 3:29AM]

I bought a German SLVR and it came with an MP3 player that has no limits on numbers of songs. Why is it that I need a hobbled iTunes on my phone when I can get a simple mp3 player...

[hunter @ May 19th 2006 3:32PM]

what is the maximum memory capacity of the ROKR E1 is 512mb the max or it can be upgraded to 1gb, also i have a ROKR and i don't use Itunes, just put your mp3 on your phone instead of using Itunes. and where can i get skins for my ROKR.