Don't know about Palm, but T-mobile USA does exert a lot of influence on what can go in the Google phones subsidized by T-mobile. It is T-mobile that ultimately pushes the firmware updates for their subsidized phones. They have also exerted pressure on Google to restrict what is available in the app store. For example, you can't buy tethering apps in the Google/Android App store if you are a North American customer, though these types of apps are readily available in the stores for customers in other regions.