Tag: Palm

Palm Reports Apple to USB Compliance Organization

Palm has reported Apple, to the USB Implementers Forum for improper use of the Vendor ID used to identify devices Palm Logousing the USB interface.

“Palm believes that openness and interoperability offer better experiences for users by allowing them the freedom to use the content they own without interference across devices and services, so on behalf of consumers, we have notified the USB Implementers Forum of what we believe is improper use of the Vendor ID number by another member.”

This move is a bold statement by Palm given the company’s apparent misuse of Apple’s USB Vendor ID in order to permit iTunes media syncing.

When plugging a Palm Pre running WebOS 1.1, it’s identifies itself with an Apple USB Vendor ID:

Product ID: 0x8002
Vendor ID: 0x05ac (Apple Inc.)
Version: 0.16
Manufacturer: Palm Inc.

Such use of another manufacturer’s Vendor ID is “strictly prohibited” by the USB Implementers Forum:

When you apply for a USB Vendor ID, you sign a form that explicitly states that:

“Unauthorized use of assigned or unassigned USB Vendor ID Numbers and associated Product ID Numbers are strictly prohibited.”

Palm Pre Releases WebOS 1.1, iTunes Media Syncing Restored

Palm announced that it has released WebOS 1.1, it brings an array of new features and improvements to the Palm Pre Palm Preincluding restoration of iTunes media syncing.

iTunes 8.2.1 stopped unauthorized devices from syncing with iTunes but now with the release of the latest WebOS, Palm has enabled it once again. The iTunes syncing is the latest if a series of incidents between Apple and Palm. Palm hired several formed Apple executives and engineers to lead the company’s turnaround, and Apple has issued threats against Palm regarding intellectual property contained in the iPhone, that has appeared in similar forms in the Palm Pre.

The full list of new features available in webOS 1.1 can be found in Palm’s release notes for the update.