[gamble]

Palm should ask themselves whether flaky on-again/off-again integration with iTunes is really better for their users than writing a standalone sync program like Blackberry.

I don't really get Palm's reluctance to write good sync software. They've been avoiding it since the 90s.

[mrkurt]

Well, there's no need. Windows comes with good media sync software. Most Palm data syncs with web services.

What's missing is a quality experience with iTunes, particularly on OSX. Emulating an iPod seems like a quick and easy way to provide an optimal user experience. Plus, they get publicity when Apple pulls the dickhole move that makes them seem like a big, abusive corporation.

[gamble]

It's quick, but what about the Pre owners who don't follow Gizmodo daily and don't know what's going on when their phone suddenly stops syncing after an iTunes upgrade?

This episode is reminiscent of what I went through working as the 'integration guy' at an educational web startup in the early 2000s. We were in Palm's position, trying to pull data out of systems created by companies that were either indifferent or hostile to our product, so the integration tended to break frequently and without warning. It's not a good way to satisfy your customers. They don't care that you're striking a blow against the establishment - all your customers care about is that your product broke without warning.