By now everyone knows that the Palm Pre has iTunes support. But Pre’s identity to its host system when connected via USB has confirmed what was already suspected. The method that it uses to hook into iTunes is…questionable.

The Pre identifies itself as an iPod in Media Sync mode, but only on the system’s mass storage interface. The root USB node still comes through as a Palm Pre. Apple could, if they wanted to, easily block it. Would Apple do that? It would certainly help grow their user base to let it be.

Eli Harari, CEO of Sandisk, recently admitted what has become very obvious. That Apple rules them all when it comes to the portable media player market. Everyone else is just trying to keep up. In a recent Fortune interview Harari admits that “you can’t out-iPod the iPod.”

SanDisk is a distant second place in the sector, and its flash memory is used in all kinds of PMP devices. They can admit that Apple rules in that sector, because flash memory chips are Sandisk’s primary product, not PMPs. Still must have been hard to actually say it.

When you design phones while on crack, there are bound to be some bad results. The iPod Water phone, despite it’s name, isn’t waterproof and it doesn’t even look like an iPhone. These knock-off companies are really slipping lately. I’m very disappointed. I thought the idea was to make your thing look like the other more desirable thing.

The specs are also disappointing, featuring dual band GSM connectivity, a 2.2″ display, audio and video playback, Bluetooth support and a built-in digital camera of unknown megapixel count. It also has an integrated FM tuner to help you keep radio alive.

You might remember the Paul Frank iPhone cases that we featured previously. Well, here are two new versions that are available, if you like to accessorize with the famous monkey.

There’s the new Paul Frank Dots Julius Silicone Case, which features your monkey buddy as well as the Paul Frank Sugar Skurvy Silicone Case, which is red and features a skull and crossbones design. Both Paul Frank iPhone 3G cases are available from the Apple store for $29.99 each.

As we approach WWDC ’09, more leaks are leaking. According to Engadget, a “trusted source” says that you will soon have a choice of 4, 8, 16, and 32GB iPhones. The source claims that the iPhones have been approved by the PCS Type Review Certification Board, which certifies models for use with some carriers.

It lends some credence to the rumor that Apple will be releasing two new models. Will this pave the way for a sub-$100 model? As usual, we will know very soon whether or not this rumor is true. It’s looking likely.

Belkin has unveiled two more TuneBases for your Apple devices. The TuneBase Direct and TuneBase FM can route audio from your Apple devices to the vehicle stereo and charge simultaneously thanks to the 12-volt port.

It features a flexible neck so you can arrange your iPhone in the best viewing position. That way, you can make calls with just a tap. The $70 TuneBase Direct uses a 3.5mm port, while the $80 TuneBase FM does it’s thing through a free FM channel, automatically scanning the frequency with the least interference.

This rumor, if true, may be a sign that Apple wants to compete with netbooks or that in this economy, they don’t think that consumers will continue to pay a premium for the Apple name in the longterm. Either way, Apple may push the cost of the MacBook Air down while extending its feature set. Unnamed sources for SiliconRumors claim that an entry-level model will push the price down to between $1,300 and $1,500, or at least $300 less than the current model. Whether this would be a smaller model or just a price cut isn’t clear.

The same tips say that Apple will add at least an option for built-in 3G for wide-area wireless and may make solid-state drives standard on all models instead of a high-end option. GPS to locate the Mac is an option but “less likely.”

Somebody is always cloning an Apple product. I guess Apple should take that as a compliment. Here’s a fake iPod Shuffle 3G that appears to be large enough to be an iPod nano. We aren’t sure what’s actually inside as it weighs just 14 grams.

Well, we do know that it has an integrated FM tuner with audio recording, a phone book, and an e-book reader. Which is quite a feat as it has no screen. If you want to know more, I suggest you drop the necessary $23 and try to use it with ebooks.

Microsoft made the official announcement late Tuesday that the Zune HD, the next generation of the Zune media player, would indeed be hitting the market in the near future. The Zune HD packs some new features including built-in HD radio, high-def video out, OLED multi-touch screen, WiFi and an included internet browser.

Today Alpine announced the launch of its first 2-DIN ScrollView touch control Digital Media Station, the Alpine iXA-W404R 2-DIN iPod Digital Media Station. The Alpine iXA-W404R is an iPod controller that offers the choice of control by using either the double-action rotary button or the 4.3-inch QVGA color touch-screen.

The device features an AM/FM radio, a USB port and is compatible with any Apple product. It can also be connected with an Alpine GPS navigation system and a Bluetooth Interface Module. The Alpine iXA-W404R 2-DIN iPod Digital Media Station is priced at 499.99 GBP.

Well, what can you say about a product like this one? I had no idea that there was a market for such a pair of ear buds. Had I done my market research, I’m sure that I would have learned that there are hundreds of people who have wanted nothing more out of life than to put a weiner dog in their ear.

This bizarre pair of headphones has the weiner dog in two sections, so it looks like there’s a long weiner dog going through your ears, ready to lift it’s leg on your earlobe.

Ralph de la Vega from AT&T has confirmed that the company has in fact been looking at lowering the cost of data plans. Instead of cutting the cost of unlimited access, the company plans to introduce lower priced plans with limited bandwidth.

“Right now we continue to study what is the best thing that is available, not just from an iPhone point of view, but what you can do to stimulate additional demand,” said de la Vega, adding, “[w]e view Apple as a strategic partner for us, a very good partner to have now and into the future.”

The Apple App Store is so massive that there are apps for just about everything an iPhone owner might want to do. If you want to lose weight, there is an app for that. If you want to keep in touch with friends there are apps for that and many other needs.

Golfers have a new app that can help them analyze their golf game just like the pros would. The application is called Golfshot and generates tour quality statistics for golfers to share. Among the stats that the application graphs are fairways hit or missed left and right, greens in regulation, recovery scrambling, sand saves, putts per hole and per GIR, scoring averages on par 3, 4, and 5 holes, and scoring percentages.

Looks like price isn’t the only shock that iPod and iPhone users have to look forward to. Apple is advising iPod and iPhone owners to choose to wear natural fibers rather than synthetic materials, install an air humidifier, and avoid touching their PMP, in the hope that it will prevent static electricity shocks. The advice is part of a warning added to the company’s support site this week, where it blames “extremely dry air” for most static build-up, and denies any particular susceptibility of iPods and iPhones themselves.

The static electricity build-up can apparently be caused by low-humidity environments, using an iPod in a windy environment, and repeated removal and replacement of an iPod into a bag or pocket. Apple also suggests that jogging or exercising can trigger such static, as can wearing materials such as nylon.

And here is your daily iPhone rumor. Word is that the next handset will be announced at WWDC. It will feature an OLED display and a glowing Apple logo, and have a launch date of July 17. Many of the provided specifications go hand in hand with past rumors that the device will introduce a digital compass and a video recorder, as well as other features. Here are the specs:

32GB and 16GB storage (up from the current 16GB and 8GB models), $199 and $299 price points to be maintained, 3.2-megapixel camera (up from the current 2-megapixel camera), Video-recording and editing capabilities, Ability to send a picture & video via MMS, Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device, OLED screen, 1.5 times the battery life of the current models, Double the RAM and processing power, Built-in FM transmitter, Apple logo on back will glow, Rubber-tread backing, Sleeker design, Built-in compass, The camera, GPS, compass and Google map combined will identify photo and inform about photo locations, Turn-by-turn directions