Update handle in a product

Question

I am trying to call an update layout handle in a product design custom layout update by inserting this code

<update handle="my_handle"/>

but nothing appears, if I put the content of that handle it shows up correctly or if I put this code in my xml

<default>
    <update handle="my_handle"/>
</default>

it works fine so my handle should work.
Is there something that loads those handles before calling the product custom design update?

Answer 1

Unfortunately these are merged in a separate cycle and do not have access to any file-based layout update handles. Sucks!

The alternative strategy is to use the PRODUCT_[id] handles in your layout XML. I personally do not like using arbitrary entity IDs in multiple media (i.e. using arbitrary DB-generated values in the filesystem) but this will do the trick.