RSSNo more 'on again:' Palm webOS update does not revive Pre's lost iTunes sync
By Tim Conneally | Published September 28, 2009, 5:21 PM
Palm and Sprint today began rolling out an over-the-air update for the Palm Pre's webOS. While version 1.2 includes a number of noteworthy improvements, the iTunes sync feature broken by Apple's update to iTunes 9 was not fixed, summarily ending the cat and mouse game between Palm and Apple.
Many were anticipating iTunes syncability to return with the webOS 1.2 update, but an intervention from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) may have ultimately caused the end of the feature in the Pre. Palm had originally contacted USB-IF to report Apple for improperly using its own Vendor ID to specifically block the Pre, but the Forum saw Palm as the guilty party.
In the forum's response to Palm's letter, it said, "Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm's usage. Usage of any other company's Vendor ID is specifically precluded. Palm's expressed intent to use Apple's VID appears to violate the attached policy."
iTunes sync aside, the 1.2 update features the first signs of an improved App Catalog to compete with Apple and Android in the lucrative mobile app business. Now, a user can enter credit card data and save it to his Palm Profile for when paid apps start to appear. Also, a new "share" button lets users send links to a particular app's page in text messages and emails, encouraging direct marketing among Pre owners.
Also, in-browser downloads and text copy/paste have been added, Amazon MP3s can now be downloaded over the mobile network instead of only Wi-Fi, calendar entries can be tied to the Dialer and Google Maps. LinkedIn's profile data, like Facebook's, can now be included in Contact info.
Palm provides a complete changelog on its Site, detailing all of the update's minutiae.
Does anyone know if Windows Media Sync works on this like a thumb drive? I know on Windows Mobile it likes to shrink the pictures too much and then the pics wont fill the screen. Not sure if it Palm Pre does the same thing...
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|why are you complaining about Apple protecting it the hard work that goes into itunes store and let an outsider take avantange for free. Now if Apple say sure you can use itunes store here are my usage fee but I betcha palm would say nah don't wanna pay. SfBjFcXu7 pleae look up the definition of monopoly.( situation in which a single company owns all or nearly all of the market for a given type of product or service.) Apple have plenty of competitors in the mult function cell phone devices. Palm users are crying since they can't get something for nothing. if you wanted something as good as the iTunes store then palm needs to get one going themselves.
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Protecting it from what? People using it?
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|Not sure what that means either PC_Tool. Apple has publicly available specs as to how to integrate with all the music in iTunes. Oh, and they are free (as in zero cost) to use.
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|Think, dimwit (for once):
OP states Apple is protecting itself by disabling the Pre's method of access.
"Apple protecting it the hard work that goes into itunes store and let an outsider take avantange for free."
Protecting itself from what?
What effect did the Pre having access (regardless of method) to iTunes have *other* than having more people using the iTunes store?
None. Zero. There was nothing to "protect" against...especially since, as you mention, they could access it regardless via other means. OP states Pre was trying to get in "for free"...and yet you yourself know better than that....they could get in "for free" regardless, using the spec provided.
Getting real tired of having to explain this stuff to you, fathead. Simple logic eludes you so easily...
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|Perhaps, giving iTunes users access to their library on another but non-Apple device. This could open the possibility of a person never using Apple equipment with the software. I know the poor workaround is available but hardly seamless.
It would be appreciated that Apple not be so stubborn. We all know that iTunes is there to push people to buy an iPod. They know that we get their method/madness. Unfortunately, it will take something like Songbird, which isn't as capable in integrating to dislodge iTunes.
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|apple = monopoly
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|...for those who know not the meaning of the word, "monopoly".
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|Yep, just like i said. Eventually they would stop. It was a very effective marketing campaign though, and cost them next to nothign. All the "news" sites picked it up and had Palm all over the place for several months.
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|fatty, you are a genius!
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|I'm on it. And i'll be using another media manager for music and photos and uninstalling Itunes.
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|http://www.precentral.ne...ly-easily-transparently
Oh and you can use to above to sync your photo's videos and music ITS FREE and it works very much like Itunes. You can even uninstall Itunes alltogether!!! F*%k Apple!
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|The headlines for Palm Pre continue to report on this 'Itunes issue'. I hope journalists realize at some point that a major reason many of us have the Palm Pre is so we can avoid Apple products.
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|if this was microsoft and not apple they would be sued and fined 1 billion by EU
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