Palm webOS 1.1 now available, fixes iTunes 8.2.1 syncing
Time to update your Pre, Palm's just released webOS 1.1.0. Quite a bit of changes here, but most importantly, the patch notes say that it "resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (8.2.1)" -- that issue, of course, being a blockade put in place by Apple just one week ago. Oh yeah, it's on. In addition, we've got emoticons and Exchange support now, and its 31st app, NFL Mobile Live for watching games and audio from the device. There's also talk of a new gesture, swiping left to right to move forward through web pages, but really it's no different that scrolling the browser up in landscape mode. Everything else is pretty boring by comparison -- looks like that leaked update list was dead on. So when should we expect to see iTunes 8.2.2, eh Apple?
Here are a few things we've noticed after playing with the update for a little bit:
Anything else you guys are seeing? Tell us in comments! Also, PreCentral has an extensive list of undocumented features.
Here are a few things we've noticed after playing with the update for a little bit:
- Scrolling through long lists (like contacts) seems improved. We're seeing a lot less loading, and only the occasional hiccup.
- Push email now seems to actively delete (and represent the count properly) in the background.
- Folder orders for IMAP Gmail accounts are now correct. Previous versions of the software had them totally out of whack.
- The email alert sound is different -- softer.
- App load times seem a bit snappier. In fact, the whole device feels a little snappier.
- Maybe we're crazy, but there seems to be a new animation for the drop-down menus.
Anything else you guys are seeing? Tell us in comments! Also, PreCentral has an extensive list of undocumented features.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill @ Jul 23rd 2009 7:38PM
in your face, apple! go ahead and continue working on itunes to block, and palm will keep doing this to unblock. somehow I think we as consumers will suffer from Apple's actions. Hope I'm wrong though.
MatthewJ @ Jul 24th 2009 5:52AM
The patch that Apple applied to this must have been incredibly poor if it was undone again so soon. This story, combined with the recent news about the exploits in the iPhone Push messaging system and comments on the 3GS's encryption have left me severely doubting Apples ability to actually repair security holes in their hardware and software. I guess this comes from years of not having to bother with it, whereas someone like Microsoft has had years of experience dealing with bugs and holes, so they're pretty good at rapidly and properly dealing with them.
Russ @ Jul 23rd 2009 7:50PM
Palm need to make there own software and stop piggybacking on other people! or do us all a favor and DIE!
JimboJones @ Jul 24th 2009 12:47PM
I'm actually glad they don't come up with their own app and utilize existing apps and you can choose iTunes, WinAmp or Songbird.
I'm seriously sick of Apple forcing me to use iTunes in order to upgrade my iPhone OS.
troyboytn @ Jul 23rd 2009 8:06PM
how funny that the all superior apple and almighty Stevie Jobs will be playing this chess game with Palm probably for some time to come. give it a rest Apple....many consumers will thank you instead of loath you in the end
Freddy.cloud @ Jul 23rd 2009 8:13PM
How does this hurt Apple? More people use iTunes, possibly attracting more customers ... what's the problem? Is it principle? Is it personal? Why not let ANY device sync with iTunes?
uwbradley @ Jul 23rd 2009 8:19PM
Apple still does make hardware, you know.
JDUBB @ Jul 23rd 2009 8:27PM
I Love it Palm, this is hilarious! Im downloading the update now!
joshT @ Jul 23rd 2009 8:49PM
What's matter with Palm? They are shamelessly hacking to sync with iTunes? I guess when you're a copycat that's all you do! No doubt Apple will keep slapping their face with next upgrade!
Devin @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:10PM
iTunes came out several months before the iPod and several years before the the iPhone specifically for Mac users. Up until that point Mac users had to use 3rd Party software. iTunes was supposedly supposed to make it easier for Mac users to manager there music and what not. Why must Apple try and hassle us? I mean I already bought the Mac, (Well several Macs plus a slew of iPods) Windows users have Windows Media Player which works with anything, so why can't I use iTunes with whatever MP3 playing device I want, especially if Palm is doing all the work to get it to work? This just pisses me off to no avail because I'm the one who shelled out the money for their computer. I'm sure Apple would rather be slanging Macbook Pros then iPhones and iPods. OK iTunes is out for Windows now but as a Mac user I would like to use the bundled program that came with my computer to manage my music not Palms. I mean isn't a computer as well as iTunes meant to make it easier for the end user? Apple is just greedy and needs to sell as many crappy products as they can (i.e. iPods and iPhones), Talk about quality problems, Who on earth has gotten an iPod to last more than 1.5-2 Years,
Coke @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:21PM
Yay. New version of iTunes is coming next week. Good luck Palm! :)
Galen20K @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:27PM
Ahahahaaa
Apple is Ridiculous! Its soooo Funny, I think Palm is just doing this to Annoy Apple and of Course like a Spoiled Brat Apple will DEFINITELY Take the Bait because they're just so retarded and arrogant.
I Find this all Very Comical.
Aaryn @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:39PM
HAHAHA suck it Apple!!! Go Pre
msafin @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:43PM
This air supply won't last because Apple will cut them off shortly. Let's see how long the air supply will last..
Hoop @ Jul 23rd 2009 10:17PM
This clearly shows Palm's live is in Apple's hands. Remind me of the mp3 vendors that eventually fold.
Aaryn @ Jul 23rd 2009 9:48PM
I'm sure Apple will issue another update but then So will Palm. That's one of the perks of having brought a big name over from Apple I'm sure he knows what codes they use and how to make the Pre sync again
Chevy @ Jul 23rd 2009 10:26PM
Apple is going to keep slapping their face till it turns purple color. :) :)
TU_MADRE @ Jul 23rd 2009 10:47PM
HAHAHAHAHHAHAH LMAO GO PALM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Riz @ Jul 23rd 2009 10:48PM
Just finished updating. Better exchange support, faster camera, smoother animations...nice stuff. And all just a few weeks after the last update. Glad to see they're still hard at work making a great device even better. And anyone against opening up iTunes to cover more devices is only outing themselves as a blind fanboy.
Apple: I WANT to use your software. Quit being a douche.
LandMineHare @ Jul 24th 2009 5:35AM
Uh, no, actually. It's not being a blind fanboy. I paid for Hardware A, so I should get to use Software A with no hassle. Hardware B purchasers should have to use Software B, not Software A. It's like Sony making the PS3 compatible with Xbox360 software (Dashboard or the games) without paying a licensing fee.
Palm really just needs to make their own software because they're only screwing their consumers. Apple breaks connectivity (their right, their software), Palm users are in the dust until Palm releases an update.
Angus @ Jul 24th 2009 12:06AM
Why does everyone find this so amusing. Palm's behaviour is pathetic. They are providing a service through a hack, making Pre pretend to be an iPod. It's break and enter. So unprofessional it ridiculous. And regardless of how much Pre owners might like iTunes syncing, I would to, why on earth do you feel Apple is obliged to provide you that. Nothing wrong with asking Apple to support it, but you have no right to expect it. If you buy into Apple's system then feel hard done by when they don't allow something that they clearly did not offer in the first place - that just makes you look thick.
Nokiapro @ Jul 24th 2009 4:09AM
I TOTALLY agree with Angus on this one! Palm's behaviour IS pathetic. At least, unprofessional.
Creating the worlds best mobile os/ui, and don't follow trough with matching sw for computers. Just the fact that you need yet another sw to locally sync pim tells us someone at Palm haven't thought this through - yet.
Drew @ Jul 24th 2009 4:58AM
The company is about to fold! So professionalism is the last thing they have in mind I'm afraid. Apple sent them a strong message publicly which includes naming the company and yet Palm is begging for mercy.
AXP @ Jul 24th 2009 9:27PM
Honestly I don't see why Palm bothers. I tossed iTunes and the crApple ipod years ago. There are tons of open-source programs far better than iTunes palm could suggest.
Dell Ibedaboss @ Jul 24th 2009 2:31AM
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW!! GO PALM!!! Yea, I knew something was afoot when Palm brought over Jon Rubenstein, the mastermind behind the ipods. HA! This about to become a very ugly war indeed. I have a feeling Mr. Rubenstein has a very nasty plan to rival Apple in the coming years, and this is just the beginning....... Palm and Pre FTW!!!!
Desperate @ Jul 24th 2009 4:09AM
Looks like Palm is getting desperate! Numerous people are reporting that the return rate is very high and sales are rapidly declining since it was released. Probably 6 to 12 months for Palm to live if this turns out to be true.
Chris @ Jul 24th 2009 4:05PM
Sales declining....So it can't be launch day every day?
sting @ Jul 24th 2009 7:12AM
This is awesome. But imagine if this was Microsoft instead of Apple. People would definitely be bashing microsoft a ton more
will54880 @ Jul 24th 2009 7:21AM
I hate the new notification sound! Bring the old one back!!!
As for the iTunes stuff, I have already started to migrate my music library to Media Monkey, where I can sync it to any device I want.
Kesando @ Jul 24th 2009 11:05AM
Yeah the new notification sound does suck. The phone moves very fast however
Martin @ Jul 24th 2009 7:36AM
Apple is just losing customers of iTunes if they keep trying to block the Pre. Seriously, they make way more money off of the mp3s sold than the precious ipods, especially the iPhone. These tactics are just going to turn more people towards other download services (I have already moved on to Amazon) even though all the sync is doing is handing Apple even more cutomers to purchase their mp3s. This is also a huge slap in the face to current itune loyal customers and Mac owners!.
Zulu @ Jul 24th 2009 7:59AM
Bull shit! Apple spent tremendous amount of money and effort to build the iTunes infrastructure for iPod and iPhone users (Windows or Mac users). It never said or claim that third party mp3 players or other mobile phones are supported. It is well known that Zune, Sandisk, etc. don't sync with iTunes. You don't see MS or other MP3 player vendors pulling this sort of crap. Palm just trying to get a free ride from Apple. Nothing is free in this world you know! I hope Apple continues to slap their face and humiliate them publicly.
BrenBeers @ Jul 24th 2009 10:40AM
Actualy Apple is a HARDWARE company and makes more money selling computer, ipods, iphones ect. Incase you need proof, Apple made $3.34 billion dollars last through sale in iTunes. This is nothing compared to the $9.15 billion in ipod sales alone. http://blogs.eweek.com/applewatch/content/corporate/apple_fiscal_2008_by_the_numbers.html
alan @ Jul 24th 2009 9:41AM
the software is there, and syncing with a 3rd party device doesnt harm the sw, so whats the big deal.... i simply feel that apple shouldnt actively break the functionality. this world is about money, and apple should shut up and be happy that palm users are more willing to buy itunes music since they can sync with itunes.
if apple continues to break the sync, with the sole purpose of REDUCING FUNCTIONALITY, then all they are doing is creating resentment....
as it works for me: i own a iphone, and my bro owns a pre. we both use the same pc for mp3's and vids. does that mean i should have to bloat that pc with more than one sync software? imo i should be able to use the software i want in the way i want, as long as it doesnt harm anything.
and for those saying palm is piggybacking - then you might as well say that they should make their own pc's too, because no one specifically said that a computer is used for specific devices. thats just a bad arguement. palm's the one making it work and not asking for apple to support the issues with sync, so...no harm no foul.
Angus @ Jul 24th 2009 11:55AM
Apple's software is their property. Not yours, not mine, not Palm's. Apple is not breaking or removing any functionality - to do that it would have to have existed in the first place. It did not. Palm created it by fraudulently misrepresenting their device to iTunes. They had no right to do that, and any Pre owner who expects to retain that hack function is dreaming. I don't deny their is plenty of resentment among Pre owners, but Palm has created this resentment, not Apple. Palm offered Pre owners something it should not have, unless it was done legitimately. And those people let greed override common sense, so they were happy to take what they knew very well was not Palm's to give.
Your logic is flawed when you say Apple should let Palm do whatever they want because of the money they will make from iTunes users. There is absolutely no obligation or guarantee that iTunes users will purchase media from Apple. I only recently started buying music from iTunes store now that it is available at a quality level I'm happy with and without DRM. But for years I have managed my CDs ripped into iTunes. Or you could be buying music from numerous other sources, or downloading it from BT.
I'm really amazed that so many people are using the defense that they should be able to use the software however they want. You absolutely do not have that right and you agreed to use iTunes under Apple's terms when you installed it and clicked on the EULA checkbox.
I really don't follow what you are arguing by suggesting we may as well be asking Palm to make their own PCs. There is no restriction by Apple on connecting a Palm Pre or any other device that I'm aware of to a Mac or a PC - or even accessing the iTunes database or non DRM media. That has nothing to do with the restriction on syncing externally via iTunes.
I don't believe it would necessarily be that simple for Apple to open iTunes to third party players. Maybe it is, maybe it is not. I don't think anyone here should presume to say it is unless they are qualified to do so. Palm obviously has an advantage over other third parties, with key staff that used to work at Apple. It's not so surprising that they managed to get syncing working, where others may have issues. iTunes is a much more complex ecosystem than when they first had third party syncing before the iPod. Frankly I bought iPods/iPhones because I like the stability and predictable nature of the hardware and software relationship. But there is no shortage of alternatives that are more open already.
My advice to all the whiners is to do something constructive. Petition Palm to apologise to Apple and it's Pre customers, and start working on a legitimate method of getting what you want. And petition Apple to support third party sync. Demanding that you deserve something for no other reason than you want it is something that 4 year olds do.
I think the Pre looks awesome, it's not for me, but I wish it every success. Hopefully Palm corrects this silly mistake before it goes any further.
Nachiket Mehta @ Jul 24th 2009 7:06PM
Go Pre! I don't own either one of these phones but loving this anyway.
Funny how NOBODY is even talking about WinMo! LOL
stayinClassy @ Jul 24th 2009 12:33PM
Palm needs to develop some software of their own. they can't just keep ripping off Apple's... but while they are developing their own software i suppose using Apple's isn't too bad. Props to Palm... level the playing field!
JimboJones @ Jul 24th 2009 12:51PM
Incredibly poor as any other security patch. Are you surprised?
kentawilson @ Jul 24th 2009 2:01PM
So let me get this straight? Pre users THINK they are entitled to use iTunes even though it was made for iPod/iPhones? If you all want to use iTunes so bad then buy a gotdamn iPod/iPhone. This is funny reading comments from people who actually support Palm.
brad @ Jul 24th 2009 3:24PM
Anyone else have anything to add besides the synching with itunes feature? Does the overall phone actually feel more responsive? Any other new features?
hank94jp @ Jul 24th 2009 6:44PM
I didn't really mind THAT much when Apple first blocked the iTunes sync. Sure, it was a minor inconvenience, but I wouldn't have a huge fit over it. That's what drag and drop is for. But I find it absolutely, hilariously awesome that Palm did this. It's about time somebody stuck it to Apple and their draconian policies. I'm no economist or business professional, but what is Apple really losing by having Pres sync to iTunes? I doubt there is a single Pre owner out there who would not use Palm's hardware just because it won't sync with Apple's software. They're just limiting people's options in the end. IMO, of course.
Shawn @ Jul 24th 2009 8:07PM
I totally agree with you. See my post 2 bellow you. Apple isn't doing themselves any good by not allowing other devices to sync with itunes. Although for anyone who isn't a noob, they will find other methods of transfering tunes to the Pre. Winamp, drag and drop, any other media syncing program probably. Its a minor inconvenience, I just like it that Palm has the balls to face Apple directly. Palm FTW!
Shawn @ Jul 24th 2009 8:04PM
I always feel so giddy when a new update comes to my phone! hehe! Can't wait to see it! Installing it now as I type this. As for the Itunes sync fix; in yo face Apple! Palm FTW!!!! WOOT!!!!!! I have an iPod Touch 2nd gen as well as my Pre and being able to sync both of them in itunes is a plus. Why doesn't Apple just allow any device to sync with itunes? It will be beneficial for them as a business model to allow "third party device support." Additional itunes purchases anyone? Larger user base? More market segment? Is Apple TRYING to prevent these beneficial factors from itunes? Are they that stuck-up to not allow other devices to use their media syncing software? I don't know about you, but I love Winamp and Winamp is just looking like a better option every day! As an owner of both ipod and Pre, and previous owner of multiple WinMo devices, I can truely and honestly say that my greatest user experience has been from the Pre. Apple has NOTHING on the Pre and WebOS when it comes to Enterprise users now that WebOS supports the advanced Exchange security features such as remote wipe, etc. WebOS multi-tasks CIRCLES around the iPhone OS....my two cents.
Shawn @ Jul 24th 2009 8:26PM
Oh I found a couple other changes that no one mentioned yet that I have seen. The 5 icons on the home screen in card view have changed slightly. There is now a clear bubble-like hue surrounding the 4 icons other than the application launcher icon. Was this here before? Also everything is A LOT snappier. And I do mean A LOT. Seems like the entire OS just moves faster in general. And honestly, one thing I do not remember seeing before as an option for the email app is to have gmail sync "As items arrive." Maybe it was there before but I was pretty sure it wasn't. I could be wrong about that. Definitely like the new Exchange support!