Palm Pre owners, rejoice: iTunes sync is working again. Until the next round, that is.

The backstory, in case you missed it: Palm, upon the launch of its cute, pebble-like Pre phone, had a somewhat cheeky idea that allowed the device to sync with iTunes: masquerade as an iPod. Apple, predictably, rejected the idea of an iPhone competitor piggybacking on its popular software: iTunes upgrades repeatedly broke the sync function. Unwilling to give up without a fight, however, Palm appealed to the USB Implementers Forum, which sets guidelines for the use of the USB devices. Apple, Palm claimed, was violating the USB-IF Membership Agreement by consistently breaking the sync. The USB-IF not only disagreed, but their response informed Palm that they may be the ones violating the rules:

<img src="http://www.neurosoftware.ro/programming-blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-o-matic/cache/266b1_palm_pre.jpg" class="alignright" alt="Palm Pre Image"

I attach for your information the USB-IF’s adopted and published policy regarding Vendor Identification Numbers (VIDs). Under the Policy, Palm may only use the single Vendor ID issued to Palm for Palm’s usage. Usage of any other company’s Vendor ID is specifically precluded. Palm’s expressed intent to use Apple’s VID appears to violate the attached policy.

Please clarify Palm’s intent and respond to this potential violation within seven days.

Today the WSJ’s Digital Daily blog reports that -yup! – Palm’s WebOS 1.2.1 update once again enables iTunes syncing. The release notes explain that the update “Resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (9.0.1).” As if to rub salt in the wounds, the update also adds an additional feature: syncing of photos, adds Digital Daily’s John Paczkowski.

While it’s tempting to frame Palm as the underdog fighting for consumer choice, the company has now defied objections by both Apple and a regulating body. What do you think: should Palm abandon this fight?

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