Palm Updates WebOS

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Palm Pixi

Palm pushed out a new webOS firmware and the latest software includes boosted enterprise features, but does not appear to restore the ability to sync with Apple's iTunes.

Mobile professionals may appreciate that the 1.3.1 version of webOS improves the calendar functionalities by adding Yahoo synchronization support. Palm has also fixed a few bugs so calendar notifications no longer reappear after being dismissed, and an event's location now has improved formatting.

Mobile messaging has also received a boost, as Yahoo Instant Messenger is now available, and messaging notifications show the contact number of the sender. Palm has also expanded the list of mail types available in setup, and this now includes Google Apps and Yahoo small business domain e-mail accounts. Users with Exchange 2003 can now select an alphanumeric password even if the server does not require this type of password.

Palm also said the firmware includes various security updates, and users can now set the time interval for when an idle phone locks. The YouTube application has also been improved, and Palm has added browser cookies to its backup service so users can continue to access sites needing log-ins without having to re-enter credentials.

Palm did not say that the 1.3.1 update restores iTunes functionality, which could mean the game of cat and mouse with Apple is over. Palm's webOS originally could use iTunes to manage and sync multimedia files, but this was killed by an Apple software update. Palm and Apple have been going back and forth with firmware to restore or block this capability, but the USB Implementers Forum said Apple has the right to block Palm from using iTunes in certain ways.

Palm Pre users can download the 1.3.1 update over the air from Palm's site, and the firmware comes preloaded with the Pixi smartphone, which was just released by Sprint Nextel.

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