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Apple Keeps Fighting the Bad Fight; Locks Pre Out of iTunes Again

Ryan Whitwam — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:49:53 -0500

Apple is all about controlling their products and services. So it’s no surprise that they have locked the Palm Pre out of iTunes again in the new version of the software. The 88.5 MB update, v9.0.2, added support for the new version of the Apple TV software, but for those Pre owners that didn’t investigate fully, it also broke their syncing capability.

Apple and Palm have been playing this game since the Pre came out back in June. Palm knew from the start that Apple could continue issuing updates forever, but they hoped to get some support from the wider tech community. After having their complaint to the USB Implementers Forum thrown out, Palm was also told that their practice of faking Apple’s USB ID was unacceptable.

There are numerous ways to sync music with a Palm Pre, but Palm seems only to be interested in iTunes. There’s an argument to be made for Apple here: It’s their software, and they can do what they want. Would it be nice if they let the Pre sync? Sure, but it probably isn’t going to happen. In the meantime, Palm just isn’t providing their customers with a reasonable syncing experience. Should Palm just get over it? Should Apple take the high road and stop the patch battle? Let us know in the comments.

Palm Pre Shuns iTunes and Embraces Amazon

Pulkit Chandna — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:45 -0500

After the USB Implementers Forum reprimanded Palm for using Apple’s USB Vendor ID to re-enable iTunes sync on the Pre – Apple had blocked Palm’s Vendor ID, Palm was left with little choice but to abandon the practice. With the release of webOS 1.2 for the Pre, Palm has grudgingly abandoned its fixation with iTunes and opted for Amazon in its stead. Users can now download their favorite tracks from the Amazon MP3 store using either WiFi or WAN. But iTunes aficionados, who own a Pre for some reason, can use third-party alternatives like double Twist and iTunes Agent to enable iTunes sync on their own.

Image Credit: Gadgetsteria

How to Get the Palm Pre for Free (If You Act Fast)

Paul Lilly — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:58:30 -0500

With a two-year service agreement, you can already snag a Palm Pre for just $80 from Walmart, which we said was the price to beat. Well guess what? Someone beat it. With a coupon code and a cashback request, LetsTalk.com and PhoneCashBack.net have collaborated to offer the Pre for free, but you have to act fast.

Here's how you can get it:

Use this link to head over to LetsTalk and buy a Pre (you have to use that link for this to work).
During checkout, punch in coupon code 25RAFPCVER1 to knock the price down to $54.99 after mail-in-rebate. You'll also receive an accessory bundle (car charger, screen protector, Bluetooth headset, and clear case).
Use this link to fill out PhoneCashBack.net's 'Sprint Cashback' request form and they'll send you a check for $54.99!

PhoneCashBack.net promises to "get your cashback out to you before the mail-in-rebates arrive," but you have to submit your request by 5PM PST on September 30.

Anyone intend to jump on this? Tell us in the comments section below.

Palm Pre Drops to $79.99 at Wal-Mart

Justin Kerr — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:10:39 -0500

Trying to compete with a $99 iPhone is no easy task, but it is even harder when you’re more expensive than the competition. Palm was recently able to bridge the gap by reducing the price to $99 on Amazon, but Wal-Mart is obviously looking to sell a boat load of Pre’s by offering them for a mere $79.99 with a two year contract. Unfortunately this price can only be reached using the ever so sneaky mail in rebate approach, but if you’re on the market for a Palm Pre, it looks like Wal-Mart has the price to beat.

It will be interesting to see how pricing changes on the Pixi given how inexpensive its bigger brother now is. Is this the price you’ve been waiting for?

(Image Credit Engadget)

The Pre's Downsized Brother Gets Full Spec Sheet

Paul Lilly — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:05:30 -0500

Representing sibling rivalry at its best, the new Palm Pixi retains much of the same functionality as its bigger brother (Palm Pre) in a smaller form factor and lighter design, the latter of which is partially attributable to not having to slide out a keyboard.

Built around the Qualcomm MSM7627 chipset, the Pixi boasts two ARM cores -- 1.6GHz applications processor with floating point unit and L2 cache, and a 400MHz modem processor -- integrated into a single chip, support for both CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A and UMTS HSDPA 7.2Mbps/USUPA 5.76Mbps, a 320MHz application DSP for multimedia supporting full 30fps WVGA encode/decode, 200MHz hardware-accelerated 3D graphics core with support for Open GL 2.0, a high-res camera, integrated GPS, and more.

In other words, it's a worthy successor to the bigger and somewhat more powerful Pre. Gizmodo, who has logged in some hands-on time with the Pixi, notes that "there wasn't a huge difference in speed between the two devices," though you'll have to make do without WiFi and 80 less pixels on the smaller display.

Image Credit: Gizmodo

The Palm Pre gets a Little Brother - the Pixi

Pulkit Chandna — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:29:22 -0500

Palm is expecting another webOS-based child. Mommy Palm announced on her blog Tuesday that she will soon be delivering her second webOS-based handset, called the Palm Pixi, in a leaner form factor than its elder brother. “Palm Pixi -- due on the Sprint network in time for the holidays -- is Palm’s thinnest phone ever,” the company announced on its blog.

The Pixi will feature a full QWERTY keyboard, EV-DO REV A, built-in GPS, a 2.63-inch capacitive display with a resolution of 320 pixel by 400 pixels, a 2MP camera with LED flash, and 8GB internal memory. Palm appears to be saving vital details regarding the Pixi’s price and launch date for a later date. Phone-cover connoisseurs will also be able to purchase stylish back covers in the "Palm Pixi Artist Series.”

Image Credit: Palm

Palm Used USB Trickery to Re-enable iTunes Sync on Pre

Pulkit Chandna — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:01:29 -0500

Palm managed to re-enable iTunes sync on the Pre barely days after Apple had managed to block it using iTunes update 8.2.1. The said update had ephemerally pulled the plug on the ability of non-Apple devices to sync with iTunes by rejecting all Vendor IDs apart from Apple’s.

Palm soon responded with an ingenious solution, the legality of which may be probed in coming days. Palm chose the WebOs 1.1 update to deliver its riposte. The WebOs 1.1 update changes the USB Vendor ID associated with the Palm Pre to the one assigned to Apple. This hoodwinks iTunes into treating the Pre just like a legitimate Apple device.

Palm is very serious about its role as the archpriest of “openness and interoperability.” It reckons that it is in fact Apple that is misusing its Vendor ID number and has notified the USB Implementers Forum about the same.

“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.” Palm told AllThingsD.

Image Credit: EveryJoe

Palm Pre Drops To $99 at Best Buy

Justin Kerr — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:53:22 -0500

The palm pre has been locked in a heated struggle against Apple over iTunes sync capabilities, but everybody knew they still had larger obstacles to overcome, namely price. When Apple reduced the cost of their iPhone 3G to $99 at its last WWDC, many described it as a game changer. The Palm Pre is a great device, but given the maturity and runaway popularity of the iPhone, the debut price of $199 for a Pre was clearly a problem.

The good news for Palm fans that have been holding off on upgrading, is that you can now pickup a Pre for only $99 on a two-year contract. It remains unclear if this price cut will be permanent, but it should at least help spark sales temporarily and get more Pre’s into the market.

Is this the price point you were waiting for?

Edit: Best Buy marketing manager John Bernier has reported via Twitter that the Pre is in fact still priced at $199 and that the "error is being corrected."