Palm brings iTunes back to WebOS

Palm has posted an update to its WebOS mobile software platform which once again allows its devices to sync with Apple's iTunes player.

The company issued the WebOS update late Thursday, providing the update to users of its Pre smartphone. The latest version of the Pre software includes support for Exchange ActiveSync as well as new messaging features and a new reminder feature.

Most notably, however, the update includes a fix which allows the Pre to once again sync with the latest version of iTunes.

"Oh, and one more thing: Palm WebOS 1.1 re-enables Palm media sync," wrote Palm vice president of business products John Traynor, adopting the catch phrase of Apple chief Steve Jobs.

"That’s right -- you once again can have seamless access to your music, photos and videos from the current version of iTunes."

Upon its initial release, several users had noted that the Pre had the ability to sync itself with iTunes, a feature earlier believed to only be available to Apple hardware, such as the iPhone and iPod.

While Apple has yet to take any legal action against Palm for the feature, the company did disable synching for the device with the iTunes 8.2.1 update. Spokespersons for Apple have confirmed to reporters that the move was made on purpose and that the Pre was attempting to fool iTunes into thinking the device was an Apple product.

Apple has long stated that it does not take responsibility for unsupported devices connecting to iTunes, and software updates have had a history of disabling or causing conflicts with unsupported devices such as modified or 'jailbroken' iPhone handsets.