Palm Pre Shows As iPod Clone To Play Nice With iTunes?

Palm unveiled more of the Palm Pre's functionality at the D: All Things Digital Conference in California this week. One of the most interesting features is its ability to work with iTunes.

The Palm Pre, as demonstrated by Palm's Jon Rubinestein, is presented to Windows as a DRM-free device so you can literally throw whatever music you want to on the device that doesn't include DRM. It also tells the desktop that it's an "iPod" essentially making it very easy to integrate into Apple's iTunes software.

Palm's Executive Chairman Jon Rubinsten said he "wasn't worried" about what Apple might think or do when questioned about the Palm Pre walking on Apple's turf - in regards to the Palm Pre's integration into iTunes.

It seems like a good strategy to me, use iTunes because its one of the most widely used music management software in the world. Why reinvent the wheel?

If Apple doesn't like the idea, they could probably come up with some ways to block the Palm Pre from accessing iTunes in later versions of its software. It may also open a lawsuit against Palm among other things.

I think one thing is clear, the Palm Pre is a more 'open platform' where Palm wants the device to be as universal as possible.

The Palm Pre will be launch June 6th for $199 after a $100 mail-in rebate and 2 year commitment, if you can find one!