Palm releases WebOS 1.1 for Pre; brings back iTunes syncing
(Credit:
Screenshot by Bonnie Cha/CNET)
This post was last updated July 24, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. PT.
Oh, snap! Things just got a little more heated between Palm and Apple. On Thursday, Palm released WebOS 1.1 for the Palm Pre, which, among other things, brings back iTunes syncing even with version 8.2.1, which disabled the feature. The news was posted on Palm's blog where it listed the new features and enhancements of the software update and nonchalantly added at the end:
Oh, and one more thing: Palm webOS 1.1 re-enables Palm media sync. That's right--you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes (8.2.1, for Windows and Mac).
Further, in a statement to All Things Digital, Palm spokeswoman Lynn Fox revealed that it has taken the issue to the USB Implementers Forum:
Palm believes that openness and interoperability offer better experiences for users by allowing them the freedom to use the content they own without interference across devices and services, so on behalf of consumers, we have notified the USB Implementers Forum of what we believe is improper use of the Vendor ID number by another member.
Bold move, Palm. Bold move. It'll be interesting to see how Apple responds, and do you suppose the use of the phrase "one more thing," a phrase that Apple CEO Steve Jobs often uses to introduce a new product at the end of his keynotes, was intentional or am I just reading too much into this?
Aside from the media syncing features, WebOS 1.1 also delivers more enterprise-friendly features, including more additions to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support. The Pre now offers remote, PIN/password requirements, inactivity timeout, improved certificate handling, and more.
In addition, you can now use emoticons with text, multimedia, and instant messages and set "person reminders" in the Contacts app. Sprint's NFL Mobile Live app is now supported on the Pre, but that's the only new app that was added to the smartphone with this update.
The full list of WebOS 1.1 features is posted on Palm's support site so check it out. The update, like all other updates, will be delivered to the Pre over-the-air. We just checked our review unit and sure enough, it's there waiting for us, so we're off to update it now. Let us know about your experience below.
Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie. 
I love how it says "this will take a few days to download"
I mean, if the programmers are going to spend all their time chasing Apple and not improving their phone, then why bother?
it probably didn't take them too much time to beat the security on itunes... after all it was in the "Oh, one more thing" section... lol
How is you have claimd previously to own an Apple dual G5, an iPhone, and MacBook.... and NOT have an iTunes account? Just curious. It's very possible you do not- it's not required to have an account to use iTunes.
Note that I'm not attacking Apple's right to update itunes to break outside functionality...it's their product and they have every right to, it'll just cost the customers. But most of Apple's business model has been to use the stuff they're good at (OS, then ipod) to subsidize the stuff people wouldn't otherwise overpay for (slower, pricier, non-upgradeable computer hardware) by locking them together. More power to them, I just won't be a customer.
the new Apple iPalm with Apple webOS
After a while, Palm Pre customers will just give up.
It's not just the number of engineers (Apple v. Palm) working on this. Apple controls the entire ecosystem.
As far as your statement about Palm ?not developing other features for the phone's OS?, the article clearly states that the new WebOS upgrade also provides better Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support, remote PIN/password requirements, inactivity timeout and improved certificate handling. I have all owned all three models of the iPhone and have used iTunes for years. I evaluated the Palm Pre and prefer my iPhone over the Pre, but I am not an Apple fanboy that sides with Apple every time they make a decision. As an owner of a lot of Apple shares, I think that Apple is bringing unwanted and unfavorable attention to the company with this iTunes/Pre back and forth. Not only is Apple expending a lot of resources trying to prevent the Pre from synching with iTunes, it is providing a lot of ammunition to both US and EU regulators who are already scrutinizing the iTunes/Apple-device exclusivity. The Pre?s ability to sync with iTunes is not so important as to give generate material for the French Competition Council, the Norwegian ombudsman and the Melanie Tuckers of the world.
And let's not forget the cost of retooling/reprogramming to make all the new iPods/iPhones run on firewire connections and repackaging without USB logos, if the USB board agrees with Palm.
Disclaimer: I own an iPod Touch and a Palm Pre.
http://www.precentral.net/palm-os-hotsync-coming-classic
Even though I'm a diehard Palm fan, I do wish both sides would stop this nonsense. I don't agree with another blog comment that Palm should have just asked permission to enable this feature on Pre in the first place and that would have taken care of everything. As if Apple woud have really just said, "uh...ok". NOT!
However, from the Apple side of things, what's the big freakin deal? Whichever Pre folks out there that care enough about iTunes to still need to sync are still paying for the songs - or at the very least have already paid for the songs. So, that's money in Apple's pocket. Why be so vindictive as to try to prevent them from syncing on a new device?
Even though it was a LITTLE underhanded for Palm to add this feature to the Pre, I really feel that Apple has taken it beyond where it needs to go. Typical Palm users are much more concerned about the functionality of their devices than they are about being able to sync media files. And, of course they're smart enough to get around any lockouts. So, if Apple thinks they are going to convert Pre fans just because they will no longer be able to sync, they're sadly mistaken. It's much more likely that Pre fans will become turned off from iTunes before they would ever consider give up their Pres... Seems like bad business to me.
I avoid any Apple software.
the pre has copy and paste, not perhaps a very useful one, but is there. at the very least say (fix the copy and paste) i give it to you in the others, but still 3rd party apps will take care of that just like the did for the iphone's first 2 years
This is an unprofessional game that Palm is playing and eventually they need to do what everyone else in the industry has done - put a little time and thought into making their own media market place over which they have ongoing control.
I think they are hoping that Apple will just look like a bad guy, but they haven't thought of the fact that they themselves just look like schoolboy pranksters rather than a serious phone manufacturer.
You're on your own here.
I guess the rules have changed. Protecting ones own interests are now seen as breaking anti-trust laws.
So I guess the next step would be to toss out all the patents and let everyone develop their own stuff and lets see where the chips fall. That should make for some interesting devices.
Apple is making money, true enough. But being the the company that brought the fart apps to telephones is hardly something to cheer about. So keep playing with the gadgets apple fanboys -- and if you get around to it try getting some work done.
As for Apple, the simple fact that they are the big tech headliner consistently, and are making money hand over fist says it all.
What would happen if apple ended up with millions of pre's using itunes? Apple would be forced into truly supporting all 3rd party devices with no profit for all their work. Business is business.
All Pre owners will buy music and videos from iTunes instead of buying them at another palce.
I don't understand what is the problem with letting other cell phones to use iTunes. More people buying music from Apple store means more revenues for Apple.
And the big problem is that iTunes is the biggest music store today. Closing it to non-apple cell phones is problematic.
their instict wants you to work like this IF ipod then itunes
IF itunes then mac
IF mac then iphone
....
they dont want IF mac then pre
You feel me? thats were the problem is.
They are not going to make nearly as much money with a pre phone compared to the iphone to whom they could not only sell music, but also farting apps and a host of other unnecessary *******
don't anyone ever have that issue? several cell with different app and u have to manage all that crap on a whole bunch of software just because "u have a different app for a different cell"? (family member cell btw, not that "I" have several cell...)
Even after all the Palm's efforts, some people will be stuck using iTunes which is a bloated POS.
I wonder if people can use Windows Media Player to sync to Palm Pre, since Pre shows us as mass storage device
- by massalo July 24, 2009 7:23 AM PDT
- Itunes allows other mp3 and phones to connect to it as a drag and drop device, but ipods and iphones have the ability to seamless sync with itunes. Its apples right to do it like that because its their software. They aren't saying you cant use itunes without ipods or iphone just that its not as seamless as it would be.
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- by zyxxy July 24, 2009 7:39 AM PDT
- Commonly referred to as 'crippleware'. Which describes iTunes beautifully.
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- by SoCalHampshire July 24, 2009 9:40 AM PDT
- Massalo, Apple doesnt have to "support" the seamless syncing of other devices to its iTunes software. The difference here is they are actively disallowing syncing whatsoever. Our economy is NOT 100% laissez-faire; that is, the government steps in when unhealthy business practice occurs ie non-competitive behavior (a la Microsoft in the 90's...and Apple now).
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- by Nataku4ca July 24, 2009 10:40 AM PDT
- @zyxxy
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Showing 1 of 3 pages (111 Comments)lol, that was good reference