Palm Pre gets virtual keyboard, not official

You can now get a virtual keyboard for the Palm Pre and not have to slide open the phone every time to type on the cramped physical keyboard. Now you can also type in landscape mode. Take a look at the video for a brief explanation by precentraldotnet.

To install the patch, follow the steps that PreCentral posted on its blog. To install WebOS Quick Install, follow the steps in its forum.

Source

Palm Kicks and Screams, Reports Apple to USB Compliance Organization

Well, it seems like Palm is pouting over the fact that they didn’t invent iTunes, and now can’t use it. Today they released Web OS 1.1, and with it, a new mechanism to sync the Pre with iTunes, which was previously broken by Apple.

“Palm has released webOS 1.1, which, along with offering more robust EAS support for business users, re-enables Palm media sync,” said company spokesperson Lynn Fox. “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.”

However, the USB Compliance Organization might be in favor of Apple here:

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.”

But isn’t it Apple’s right to keep iTunes exclusive? How long have they been developing it, keeping it available, free, and working on iPod/iPhone features? One of the iPhone’s major selling points is that everything syncs with iTunes. Is it really Palm’s right to claim that they are an “iPod” and use iTunes, which they had no part of developing?

If you developed iTunes/iPod/iPhone, would you let Palm use your software FOR FREE? Without your permission?

Why is this even an argument?

iTunes Breaks the Pre, and Microsoft’s Revenge

Turns out Apple decided to break the Palm Pre’s ability to sync with iTunes today in their update 8.2.1.

Heres 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.”

A major selling point of the iPhone and iPods is that iTunes can sync all you media with the devices, and iTunes is also the leading provider of all kinds of media. Over the years, Apple has worked hard to expand the iTunes store (recently making it all DRM free and of the highest quality) and to keep it FREE. To let Palm duplicate an iPod and use iTunes is just wrong.

And in other news, Microsoft has confirmed that it will be setting up shop next to Apple stores. COO Kevin Turner confirmed the plans at the Worldwide Partner Conference in New Orleans yesterday, saying the stores are due to open this fall, and that some stores will sit right next to an Apple store. Here’s the pic provided:

I’m sure the people will look just like that, and not be some fat cheeto-eating snorting employee. Right? Right.

Hey, You’re Not Getting Ripped Off! +New Rumors & Updates

Well, it looks like Apple may be economically friendly after all! iSuppli, the leader in…uh… tearing things apart and deducing how much they really cost, has just torn apart the new iPhone 3GS (the G and S no longer have a space between them) in it’s 16GB form. The device only cost’s about $180 to build, which is only a $20 difference from the $199 subsidized price! Way to go!

Also making the rounds today it the “iPod 3,1” place holder in the 3.0 version of Apple’s SDK. The new iPhone was proven to be marked by place holders like this, so a new iPod Touch is likely.

iTouch But in more important news,/iPhone owners can control their Apple TV a new way, and wirelessly charge it too. Apple has updated Apple TV’s (streaming box for computer/online to TV) firmware to 2.4, which allows it to use the newly updated “Remote” app from Apple (available for free on the App Store) which features touch gestures (like swiping) to control Apple TV. This is a great use of an app considering that using the Apple TV remote can sometimes be painful. iPhone users can also charge their phone wirelessly just like those evil doers (just kidding) who carry a Palm Pre with their “TouchStone” charger. “WildCharge” is allowing iPhone (3G and 3GS included) and iPod touch users to order a WildCharge Skin along with a WildCharger Pad in order to bring wire-free charging to their smartphone. Just snap on the skin, plug the pad in and put the handset down on that pad. One downside however: it’s $34.99 for the skin, or $79.99 for the skin and pad.