Palm releases webOS 1.3.1 without iTunes syncing capablities

In a surprising move by Palm after its many “cat-and-mouse” games with Apple, the company has not included iTunes syncing capabilities in the latest version of its smartphone operating system. Palm’s webOS has been syncing on and off with iTunes since the release of the Palm Pre earlier this year by presenting itself as an iPod in order to trick iTunes into recognizing it as a valid syncable device.

However, Apple has made several attempts to break the Pre’s ability to sync media with iTunes through software updates, Palm has countered right back with updates to its webOS, and this cycle has repeated quite a few times for several months now. iTunes 9.0.2 was the most recent release of the software that had broken the syncing capabilities, and it seems Palm may have actually given up.

Still, you can believe that Palm tried quite hard to get its way in this feud, and even complained to the USB Implementers Forum, alleging Apple was improperly using the Vendor ID number in the USB standard to prevent non-Apple devices from syncing with iTunes. However, the USB Implementers Forum ended up siding with Apple and countered back at Palm, notifying the company of their own failure to use their Vendor ID appropriately in their products.

Neither Apple or Palm have given any further information or comments on the issue, and only time will tell whether Palm will continue to add iTunes syncing capabilities to its webOS and smartphones.

Read [blog.palm.com]