iTunes 8.2.1 brings Pre’s music syncing capability to a halt (updated)

Palm itself had warned that the Pre’s iTunes sync functionality could be broken at a moment’s notice (and at Apple’s whim), but we’re pretty sure no one expected it’d happen this quickly. We’ve been able to confirm that version 8.2.1 of the software prevents the sync from working, meaning that you’ve got to add music the old-fashioned way — the Pre functions as a USB drive, too — until Palm gets around to patching the hack (if they decide to patch it, that is). This could end up being a protracted game of cat-and-mouse, which is entertaining to watch but nightmarish for the consumers down in the trenches actually trying to use this stuff. Funny thing is, Apple’s straight up saying in its release notes that the update “addresses an issue with verification of Apple devices” — in other words, they weren’t being verified before, and now they are, thank goodness. Peaceful sleep is once again within our reach.

Update: Apple’s now gone beyond the “verification of Apple devices” phrase, calling out the Pre by name in a statement issued to BusinessWeek: “It also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre. As we’ve said before, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with unsupported digital media players.” In other words, “we told you this was going to happen, and it did.” For its part, Palm appears to have re-issued the same statement it made a while back, saying that Apple’s move is a “direct blow” to its users. Words are one thing, but here’s the real question: is there a quick counterstrike fix planned from Palm’s side?

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iTunes 8.2.1 brings Pre’s music syncing capability to a halt (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: iTunes 8.2.1 Breaks Pre Syncing

We just confirmed it on our own machines: iTunes 8.2.1 breaks Pre syncing. Apple warned that they may cut off the sync, and Palm said it would be a direct blow to their users. Direct Blow, she is a’here. Updated

Obviously if you’re a Pre user you should not update to the latest iTunes. Not, at least, until Palm strikes back with some kind of firmware update to enable syncing again. It’s not like 8.2.1 has all that many new features either, so you don’t really need to update. [Pre Thinking]

Update: Here’s Palm’s official statement:

Palm’s media sync works with iTunes 8.2. If Apple chooses to disable media sync in iTunes, it will be a direct blow to their users who will be deprived of a seamless synchronization experience. However, people will have options. They can stay with the iTunes version that works to sync their music on their Pre, they can transfer the music via USB, and there are other third-party applications we can consider.

Update 2: Here’s Apple’s official statement to Businessweek:

iTunes 8.2.1 is a free software update that provides a number of important bug fixes. It also disables devices falsely pretending to be iPods, including the Palm Pre. As we’ve said before, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with unsupported digital media players.

Video: New Palm Pre ad takes serene approach, just goes with the flow

When we last saw this fair-faced Pre spokesperson, she was sitting on a rock in an otherwise open field playing choreagrapher to a sea of robed individuals encircling her. This latest ad takes a decidedly simpler approach reminiscent of the vibe set in the Meet the Pre series, though we can’t say for sure her if her followers aren’t just waiting off-camera for the next directive. Also, interesting choice of onomatopoeia for sliding through the webOS cards, we imagine there’s a certain, Redmond-based company out there delighted by the subtle (and probably unintentional) reference. See the ad for yourself after the break — and in case you’re wondering, that song that’ll be stuck in your head all day is “Doot Doot” by Freur.

[Via Pre Central]

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Video: New Palm Pre ad takes serene approach, just goes with the flow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pre hacked and running on Verizon

It’s not the fabled GSM Pre, but PreCentral forum member Cleanser has apparently managed to unlock his Pre’s CDMA radio and get voice and SMS service on Verizon — data’s still a no-go, but he’s working on it. Other devices have been flashed between the networks for years, so we’ve no doubt that this is possible, but we doubt it’ll ever be super-easy — according to Cleanser, the hardest part was getting someone to add his device’s MEID to the system, and that’s always gonna be tough, regardless of VZW’s big talk about open network access. Still, it’s heartening to see a webOS device on another carrier — Palm, you want to maybe do this up official sometime? Video after the break.

[Via PreCentral]

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Palm Pre hacked and running on Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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webOS 1.1 rumored to be on the way to Pres shortly, sounds boring so far

If you were hoping for more system sound configurability, better notification control, or an equalizer in the music player (heck, we’ll settle for bass and treble), your wait might be nowhere close to over — but the good news is that it appears there’s some sort of update on the way for Pres in the field that’s significant enough to justify a 0.1 bump in webOS’ version number to 1.1. Corporate types will get all fired up over better managed Exchange policy integration with support for device wipe after failed PIN attempts, auto PIN lock, minimum password complexity, and a bunch of other things that your average Pre owner isn’t going to give a flying iPhone about. Perhaps more interesting to everyone else is the claim that additional built-in apps are a possibility for 1.1, though there’s no detail there — it could be best-of-breed stuff culled from the App Catalog, new first-party apps, or a combination. PreCentral’s hearing “within 30 days” for the release, so go ahead and get your firmware upgrade pants on now just in case.

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webOS 1.1 rumored to be on the way to Pres shortly, sounds boring so far originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sprint no longer selling Pre over the phone

We’ve just received word from Sprint that starting tomorrow, July 8, folks will no longer be able to call into telesales to order a Pre over the cold comfort of the phone. We’re told the move is being made so that the carrier “can focus inventory in sales channels where customers have the best opportunity to experience Ready Now, and we can deliver the best purchasing experience,” which can be interpreted a couple of ways: either telesales are hurting Sprint’s ability to properly stock local stores, they’re not happy with the out-of-box experience new customers are getting without the in-store VIP treatment, or a combination of the two. Feel free to continue calling Sprint if you just want to chat or talk about how your barbecue went on the 4th, of course — just don’t expect to get a Pre out of it.

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Sprint no longer selling Pre over the phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pre official on O2 and Movistar in Europe, launch “in time for holidays”

It’s official, Palm just kicked out a press release saying that the UK, Ireland, and Germany will have access to the Palm Pre exclusively on O2 while Spain’s Pre will be offered exclusively on Movistar — so it’s all Telefonica, all the time. Unfortunately, launch timing was only narrowed down to “in time for the holidays” which is just another way of repeating Palm’s European-launch mantra of before the end of the year. Palm also doesn’t provide any prices and chose not to list the radio frequencies for the HSDPA/UMTS with EDGE/GSM version of the Pre. See the 1,260 word press release posted after the break that says almost nothing.

Update: Seems as if O2 Germany has word that it’ll be launching the GSM Pre in October.

Update 2: Hmm, seems as if O2 Germany has swapped out banners to show “Fall” availability. Make up your mind, won’t you?

Continue reading Palm Pre official on O2 and Movistar in Europe, launch “in time for holidays”

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Palm Pre official on O2 and Movistar in Europe, launch “in time for holidays” originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GSM Palm Pre makes exclusive first appearance on Movistar

There it is, the first official press shot (see that HSDPA icon?) of the GSM version of the Palm Pre. The “more information” link isn’t working at the moment but it’s clear that Movistar has exclusive rights to the Pre in Spain. Of course, Movistar, like O2 in the UK, is owned by Telefonica which so far seems to have clinched exclusivity throughout Europe. We’re still waiting for all this to get officially official sometime this week, if not today.

[Thanks, Enzo]

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GSM Palm Pre makes exclusive first appearance on Movistar originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm Pre cameo on Dutch carrier Hi’s website much ado about nothing, says spokesman

Alright, move along folks, nothing to see here. Remember that Palm Pre support page that showed up on Dutch provider Hi’s website? Seems like that’d indicative a possible future collaboration, but according to a spokesman for KPN (of which Hi is a part), it’s all a misunderstanding. While not meant for public viewing at this time, the page in question was apparently intended to explain what settings you’d need for using a Hi SIM card, whether you got the device from them or via another provider. Still seems fishy, if you ask us. Of course, he added the company is very interested in the Pre (as if we thought otherwise), but that nothing’s been announced at this time anywhere in Europe. Let’s just hope that rumored UK announcement pans out this week, and maybe the rest of the continent will follow suit.

[Thanks, Wesley]

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Palm Pre cameo on Dutch carrier Hi’s website much ado about nothing, says spokesman originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How would you change the Palm Pre?

You knew it was on deck, and at long last, here it is. Your one and only shot (okay, so maybe that’s a gentle stretch) to tell the world — and Palm, since it’s a part of the world — exactly what you think about the Pre. Since going on sale to the general public just under a month ago, some analysts have suggested that some 300,000 or so units have been moved. We’re quite confident that at least some of that bunch have their eyes peering at this here post, so we’d like to formally ask for your opinions in comments below. Is there anything you’d like to see changed on Palm’s Pre? Is the build quality up to snuff? Is webOS everything you thought it’d be (and more)? Is the QWERTY keyboard doing it for you? Do you wish it supported something that it doesn’t? Unleash your wrath below — we’ll keep your true identity a secret. Maybe.

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How would you change the Palm Pre? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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