Hot on the heels of Palm’s major update to WebOS last week, they are now pushing a much smaller update, WebOS 1.2.1 to Palm Pre users.  So, what does this one do that the previous update missed?  Sure, there are a few minor bug fixes in there, but the real reason for this update is buried somewhere in middle of the list of updates.  It is a one line bullet, and you would be forgiven if you missed it:

Resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (9.0.1).

Of course, the issue with iTunes syncing this one resolves is that Apple keeps intentionally breaking it, requiring Palm to continue “resolving” the issue.  Personally, I have never been much of a fan of iTunes, and never tried syncing my Palm Pre with iTunes at all.  But that does not mean a lot of you will not welcome this update.  

So, in the on-again, off-again tale of Palm Pre-itunes syncing, it looks like we are now on-again.  I suggest you sync quickly if you plan to do so, because I am sure iTunes 9.0.2 is on its way, and you can bet Apple will fill whatever gap Palm has exploited this time. 

Oh, but in case you are interested, here is the complete list of updates in WebOS 1.2.1:

• Resolved an issue where after installing the 1.2.0 webOS update some customers running Exchange 2007 could no longer synchronize with their Exchange account for Email, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks.
• Resolves an issue preventing media sync from working with latest version of iTunes (9.0.1).
• Media sync now synchronizes photo albums, maintaining the album structure in the Photos app.
• Media sync now allows for synchronizing photos without requiring the full-resolution originals. This provides faster display of high-quality full-screen images and enables users to store more photos on the phone.
• Resolved an issue where if a user tried to play streaming music or video, the media stream might drop out or have a long delay before starting.
• Addresses a security issue encountered by webkit developers. This issue did not impact end users.

Individuals interested in contacting Palm to report suspected security issues can find more information at palm.com/security .

After their first swing and a miss last week, palm finally released WebOS 1.2 for the Palm Pre today.  Let me tell you what I love about Palm.  When they release a new update, there are no complicated procedures to follow, no danger of danger of “bricking” your device, and best of all no need to wipe all your data.  All you have to do is head over to the Update icon on the last app page and let your Palm Pre check for updates.  WebOS 1.2 will be automatically pushed to your device when you tap download.

Now for the bad news.  This is an almost 80MB program, so it will take some time to download.  Once downloaded and installed, I think you will find the wait was well worth it.  This update features an awful lot of upgrades, both large and small, many of which were requested by the users themselves.   You can see all of the new features over at Palm’s support page, but here are a few highlights:

• Significant updates to Synergy Sync, including syncing with LinkedIn and Yahoo messenger.  Alas, still no sync with Microsoft services.
• Amazon MP3 downloads can now be performed by Wi-fi or 3G networks.
• Significant upgrades to the app Catalog, including the much anticipated paid apps.
• Much more effective cut and paste options.

There are dozens of other updates, upgrades, and new features touching almost every aspect of WebOS.  Sadly, there was one feature I had been hoping to see which has still not been included with the WebOS package.  Specifically, tasks are not included in the Synergy Sync.  I hope this will be included in a future version of the operating system.  How about you?  Is everything you expected included in this latest version?  Are there still features or improvements you would like to see/  Leave your opinions here in the comments, or send them to Palm.

All I can say is…WOW.  If you are in the market for a palm Pre, then today is your day.  To put this into the proper context, when the Pre was initially released over the summer, I paid around $200 for the opportunity of using one.

Our story begins earlier this week, when Amazon announced a Palm Pre price cut to $99.99.  Not to be outdone, Wal-Mart stepped up to the plate with a price reduction of their own, selling the Palm Pre for a limited time for only $79.99.  A nice $20 under the Amazon price.  Of course, this deal is not without limitations.  First of all, it is not a true price cut, but a mail in rebate.  You must purchase the Palm Pre, with a newly activated two year Sprint service contract, and then mail in the rebate form for a $100 rebate.  In the end, this gives you a $200 phone, for only $79 (plus the cost of the data plan, which can run you $80-$100 per month).  Oh and this rebate expires Monday, September 28, 2009 (so better hurry to take advantage).  Check out the details on the Wal-Mart wireless website.

Hot on the heels of this news comes an additional discount.  Just use this coupon code at checkout:  25RAFPCVER1 to receive an additional $25 off the price of the phone when you purchase it from Wal-Mart thanks, Gear Diary for the tip).  For those of you keeping track at home, that is a $179.99 phone-$100 mail in rebate-$25 coupon code.  That leaves you with a $54.99 price tag.  Not too shabby for that phone which I paid $200 for only a few weeks ago.  Just to make this one even more attractive, using this coupon code will also get you a free carrying case, Bluetooth headset, and car charger. 

For some of you, though, $55 for one of the best new phones around, a bluetooth headset, carrying case, and car charger is just not enough.  So, by the end of the day, the folks at Precentral found a way to knock off even those last $55 and get the whole Palm Pre bundle absolutely free!  Apparently, the folks over at phonecashback.net will toss an additional $54.99 rebate at you.  This second rebate expires on Wednesday, but to get the free Pre, you need to make the purchase from Wal-Mart Monday. 

OK.  So, let’s recap.  Here is what you need to do in order to get your FREE Palm Pre (with included accessory bundle)/

1. Head over to Wal-Mart wireless today!
2. At checkout, get an instant $25 discount by entering the coupon code 25RAFPCVER1
3. Complete the rebate form at http://www.phonecashback.net/sprint-cashback/ to receive a $54.99 rebate
4. When you receive the phone, follow the instructions included in the package to claim your $100 mail-in rebate

That’s it.  Total cost of the phone, headset, case, and car charger is $179.99.  Total savings on the whole package: $179.99.  Final cost FREE!!  Now that is a deal to get excited about.  Like I said, though, better hurry because the whole thing will evaporate within hours when the Wal-Mart deal expires.  And don’t forget this deal does require a new two year contract, but if you were in the market for a new phone, then this one is certainly worth the price of admission.

OK.  So, it isn’t WebOS 1.2.  Heck, it isn’t even the all new and improved App Catalog, or the flood of apps we were expecting.  But there is a little love from Palm as the trickle of new apps continues with 14 news app finding their way into the catalog today. 

What impressed me the most was how many of these apps came through the Homebrew App Catalog.  There were a lot of familiar apps here, and I think it is fantastic to see some of these developers getting the recognition they all deserve.

The new apps include:

• m:Vampire
• m:Mafia
• Golf Pin Finder (Demo)
• Guitarist’s Reference
• YPmobile
• Greeting Card Messages
• bWeather
• snake
• Go To Tool Lite
• Tic Tac Toe
• FreeWeather
• Photo Fun – Spot the Missing Pieces
• Photo Fun – Spot the Differences
• TMaps-Philly

For the record, according to PreCentral, the new WebOS and App Catalog updates should be here next week.  As an added bonus, it looks like the new WebOS 1.2.1 will also fix the iTunes sync problem.  So…at least you all have that to look forward to.

Today is September 24.  The mythical Palm Day.  This is the day we were all supposed to look back on and remember with awe.  A near national (nay, international) holiday for Palm Pre users.  Today was the day we were going to see the new Operating System, WebOS 1.2, with a whole slew of updates and new features.  More importantly, however, was the coming of the official launch of the App Catalog, with so many hundreds of new apps that Palm had to go and hire at least three new people.

Well, here it is, 9:00 at night (EST), and after checking all day, my Palm Pre has yet to find any updates…either to the Operating System or the app Catalog.  Granted, the last bell has yet to toll, but it is not looking good for the September 24 release.  Then again…I have always been a big fan of Friday…