Palm WebOS update omits iTunes sync

Paul Nesbitt

Plucky Palm issued an update for its Pre and Pixi smartphones that inlcudes lots of useful improvements and bug fixes, but crucially failed to restore the ability of its new generation of handsets to sync with Apple's iTunes.

Palm recently attracted headlines for its decision to give its handsets the ability to sync with Apple's iTunes by masquerading as an iPhone / iPod and fooling Apple's popular program into treating Palm's handsets as one of its own.

A somewhat disgruntled Apple subsequently issued 'upgrades' to iTunes, which prevented Palm devices from syncing with its software.

With this update, WebOS 1.3.1, Palm appears to have given up the running battle with Apple, and decided to abandon what was a key selling point for the Palm Pre, its ability to sync with iTunes as if it were a native Apple handset.

Instead, WebOS 1.3.1 includes updates to Yahoo! services such as contact and calendar sync, as well as Yahoo! IM messenger. Also included is a YouTube application, which supports the playback of videos in a widescreen format.