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What's specifically proprietary about the Apple dock? Does apple prevent (or extort money from) others from creating MP3 players with the same dock and messaging protocol?

There is a licensing programme for manufacturers who wish to support the iPod dock. Apple have it tied up in various ways, plus it's probably impossible to buy the connectors without their consent.

The terms are reasonable though.. but obviously not to anyone wanting to use it for a competing MP3 player!

Rob