Palm has released the latest edition of its operating system but has not included the ability to sync with iTunes. That may spell an end to a back and forth battle between Palm and Apple to control whether the feature works on the phones.

Google has paid $750 million in a deal which will see it become the biggest player in the mobile advertising market. It will also greatly expand its presence on iPhone screens.

It’s well-established that the vast majority of cellphone applications offered for sale make a pittance. But some firms are pulling in a genuine fortune with the potential for even more thanks to an Apple policy change.

The Federal Communications Commission is investigating claims that Google’s Voice service is breaching regulations by blocking some calls to rural areas. It’s reopened the debate about the way traditional phone networks and those which carry voice calls over data connections are regulated.

In a change of policy AT&T will now allow iPhone applications to use its data network for voice calls. The decision, possibly influenced by regulatory pressure, could cost it as much as $20 a user each month.

Although Apple turned down the Google Voice app, it appears the firm isn’t opposed to all attempts to avoid using AT&T’s services. It’s approved an app which allows cheap rate calls via the voice connection as well as over the internet.

New rules on the way firms prepare their accounts could lead to a much rosier picture for smartphone providers. While the new-style figures will arguably become more realistic, it could lead to an artificial boost for profit numbers in a couple of years.

The Federal Communications Commission has officially confirmed it is to investigate competition issues in the wireless industry. It’s looking specifically at whether the current competition between companies leads to innovation and investment in wireless technology.

Whereas most electronic devices get nothing more than a model number, mobile phone producers like to create a memorable brand name which conveys the handset’s image. Here are some of the best examples of how they did it… and the times they failed.

Microsoft has told mobile app developers their products are worth more than 99 cents. It’s a clear knock at the pricing structure of Apple’s App store.