The webOS developer community leaps ahead

Today, Palm expanded the Mojo SDK program for webOS, announcing that a broad group of developers will be provided with the software development kit to create applications for the Palm Pre phone (as well as other future devices running webOS).

Speaking at the Web 2.0 Expo, Palm’s senior vice president of Applications Software and Services Michael Abbott also highlighted some of the most exciting aspects of webOS -- including a new branded service that lets developers create apps that push live content across the Internet -- and invited the audience to apply for the early access program at the Palm Developer Network website.

The power of webOS lets developers rethink how they develop for mobile devices -- and creates opportunities for new kinds of apps. Abbott highlighted several key features of webOS that open up new avenues for the creative ingenuity of the developer community:

• a cards metaphor that simplifies multi-tasking
• Palm Synergy to unify information from sources like Google, Facebook, and Exchange
• a user-friendly approach to notifications that ensures the user is up to date without distracting them from the task at hand. 

An often-overlooked aspect of webOS is that Web applications run natively on the phone. They don’t depend on access to a server, and can run even when there is no access to the Internet. But the full power of webOS is unleashed when the device works together with “the cloud” – the combination of all of the Web sites and services that a user interacts with.

Abbott noted that webOS encompasses software that runs both on the device and in the cloud. He also announced that Palm is creating its own cloud service -- the Mojo messaging service -- that will enable developers to have live interactions between users and applications both on and off the cloud.

You can get a taste of several upcoming apps for the Pre -- including Pandora and Fandango -- in a new video on Palm’s website. As the first mobile OS based on standard Web technologies (like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS), webOS is also accessible to developers comfortable with Web development, even if they’ve never created mobile apps before.

Here are a few first impressions from some of the first webOS developers working on apps for the Pre:

Jon Zilber

Comments

[Chuck L.]

I am on my 4th palm product now, the last 2 being Palm Treo's, and my current Treo 750 is failing. I don't think it will last much longer and I have only been holding out getting a new one this past month because the Pre is supposed to be available soon...HURRY UP OR AT LEAST GIVE US A DATE!!
I will be jumping ship if this goes on much longer and joining the Blackberry or other inferior PDA owners...PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME HATE YOU.

Your loving fan...
Chuck

[AC]

how do you know its going to be a sprint phone and not unlocked?? palm pro was unlocked before sprint picked it up!

[jmikes]

we need a release date and we need it now. February 15 and March 15 passed and thats when the last two dates were. I dont think many or any of us are willing to wait until june. If we have to wait until june we might as well get an Iphone 3.0
seriously atleast give us a month! i'd rather have it in my pocket and it be all screwed up and need patches than be percet in 4 months.

[Gloria]

I'm a long-time Palm OS user and have many legacy apps. I need to continue to use them and am glad there will be a Palm emulator. Also, I'm a Verizon client, so wondering when Verizon will see this device?

[Dan]

I just want to know if any of my current Palm 5.0 based apps will run on the Pre. I've got $100s invested in them and will need to take compatibility into consideration when looking at upgrading from my TREO 755P.

[Jon Z at Palm]

Dan -- check out www.motionapps.com/classic for details on the just-announced emulator that will run Palm OS on the Pre. And AC -- well, we know the Pre will be out on Sprint because we heard it on Twitter from @palm_inc, a very reliable source. :)

[Ankit]

Palm - a message for you guys -

I, being an avid fan of apple products, have already tried using iphone. However, the moment I saw Palm Pre, I admit I was completely bowled over. I, like most crazy people in my age-group, have been anxiously waiting for a set date of Pre's release. However, you guys at Palm have just not been in mood to even talk about the fact - let alone releasing the date.
I can only assure you one thing if you guys continue doing this - Apple, Inc. will definitely score over you guys before you'd even realize. So please please please please and a desperate please, give the phone in our hands, lest we abandon it simply out of rage!

[leo]

will it have handwriting like graffiti ?

[Chris]

I'm afraid the lack of SD card support will probably be a deal breaker for me. I need portable storage...and I don't think I'm alone! Could the Pre be connected to a computer via USB then files, pictures, MP3s, etc. could be transferred back and forth that way? I'm quite surprise at Palm's giant step backward!

[Tam]

The Palm OS Emulator is a great news for all loyal palm community:)

I am so happy about that!!!!!

Thank you Palm

Now only the SD card slot is missing on the Pre:)

[eur]

This is a really exciting news!

[LA]

This phone sounds like it has everything. Does it come with some security features. The iphone can't hide private appts or hide personal information ie, credit card numbers, bank account numbers etc. I have a Treo 755 and an instink and I love the treo but hate the instink(yes instink is what I call it) because it does not have any security features. If I let someone use my phone and they happen to walk to the other room, say for a private conversation, and they decide to get nosey, they could just go through my phone and see every thing, but not whith the treo. But more importantly, WHEN CAN I GET IT!!!!!!

[John Thomas]

Why is it only available on Sprint>

[ddss]

is it working with vista 64 bid???

[Templarian]

@Alex H. Would be nice if you guys enabled the comments over on the dev blog, could care less who is linking to your blog posts.

But for real no application developer I've talked to has gotten into this PreRelease program (I submitted my app idea, that's half way completed (mostly due to graphics design), the minute the system went up and no word). Unless you guys are being super picky I find it odd that all 10 people didn't get in.

Also with the rest I can't wait to pick up the Pre the second it's released.

[Rob L]

I was thinking of switching to Nokia N97 when it came out for a future phone BUT- Palm OS emulater has put that on hold! I have been a longtime user of Palm OS and it it's Great!
Rob

[Rob L]

One thing to watch in design please!- the Centro keyboard is very small yet very easy to type on (even more so then my 750 0r 680) However the slight raised lip around the edgehinders the use of the A,alternate key and shift key. This is especially noticable on the left sside because these keys are used more often. The photos of the Pre look like the lip around keyboard is even higher - Please keep it low or flush as the thumbs are in a better position to acess keys with minimal movement and pressure.
Thanks!
Rob

[Ed Altuna]

I have to agree with all the other comments in that it is actually cruel of Palm to withold a release date, for you must surely have a good idea of what month it will be released. I've been waiting since Oct. 08 and here we are in April 09....with no release date in sight. I may as well go for another product...Blackberry or iphone.I don't want to spend big bucks for another product and then have the Pre released... just can't afford it. Also, is Sprint the only phone company that will have it?

[patiently waiting]

I am like everyone else...when's it coming? I have waited patiently to see when I can get one. My guy at the Sprint store promised me the first one, but when is that?? My current palm is nearly worn out. It's not going to last another 3 months.

[Alex H. at Edelman for Palm]

Chris -- much more on the topic of storage from Matt Crowley, Plam product manager, over on Facebook. In short, the web is a pretty large microSD card.

http://www.facebook.com/palm#/topic.php?uid=32915930478&topic=6592

[Alex H. at Edelman for Palm]

Templarian -- the blog comments seem to be enabled over at http://pdnblog.palm.com.

[Alex H. at Edelman for Palm]

Patiently waiting -- thanks for your patience. You must introduce me to your contact at the Sprint store.

[markoregistrado]

Hi...I work in secure areas for courts. I can not get Palm products without a camera any more. This means I have to leave my 700p outside the buildings. Very Frustrating because I miss assignments and my supervisors can not talk to me. With all the security here in the DC area I am surprised you no longer make a smart phone without audio/video recording devices. I have used Palm for several years but will have to change to a Bberry unless you tell me you will come out with a cameraless Pre.

[AJ]

Wow guys you need to calm down with the launch date questions....maybe if you would just go into a sprint store...since sprint will be carrying it.....and ask a rep when the launch date is....they would happily tell you april 19th.....ENJOY!!!!!!

[Kathy W.]

I would love to have this available on more than just Sprint. I have been a Sprint user in the past but never got signal at my home. Very frustrating.

Hopefully you will make the Pre available for all Cell Carriers.....