Palm just got official with its new webOS platform, running on the new Palm Pre. According to the company, anyone who knows CSS, HTML and XML will be able to develop for the OS without having to learn any new languages -- sounds kind of like it's a jacked up browser with memory management, like Google Chrome. The UI itself is simple and touch-based, with flick scrolling through lists and gesture support that goes "beyond the screen." The launcher comes up over apps without leaving them, and you can quit apps by just swiping up -- multiple apps and windows are managed using a "deck of cards" metaphor. The Synergy sync system automatically manages your contacts -- all you have to do is log into Facebook, Google, and Outlook. You also get consolidated IM from multiple services -- so, so sweet. Typing on the keyboard brings up an instant search which pulls up apps, contacts, and even web queries. All apps have access to an Android-like popup notification system, and urgent messages pop up, causing running apps to automatically resize so you can see everything. There's also a dockable control area that any app can use for persistent controls -- Palm's using it for its music player, for example. More pics after the break!
Update: The press release is now live.
posted January 8th 2009 1:58PM
These seems like a really stupid idea to me...
but nobody cares bout your ideas
Wow Palm Pre .... sorry .. but it's 2009 iPhone
You sir, are an idiot!
no
Well I got a hand it to old Palm they aren't just gonna roll over and take it. Shame that Android will probably end up being the nail in the Palm coffin.
Let's hope this will turn things around for Palm.
Verizon please?
"You sir, are an idiot!"
I agree but I think you mean iDiot. ;)
idiot or not as nice as the ui is, this is a browser OS, thats not goona be fast or powerful....i.e. will it run doom?...when you re-write it in javascript lol
"You, my friend,....are stupid."
Doom for Flash, anyone?
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/470460#
yes, definitely...its just an iPhone rip off. I mean, you use your fingers and you swipe and move with your fingers! Its a TOTAL RIP OFF!
I mean what's next...is Apple going to suddenly make an OS that is meant to be inuitive and easy with a bunch of icons all aligned on the main screen so you don't have to dig through a lot of clicks to get right to your applications...
http://www.geekpedia.com/pics/PalmOS/PalmOS.jpg
Ohhh....wait, I guess they would.
iPhone was essentially a very aesthetically pleasing Palm OS optomized for Touch.
YOU LOSE!, GOOD DAY SIR!
Welcome back Palm finally pulled something good out your ass
At least it's pretty...
Remember when Apple's solution for writing iPhone apps was HTML, CSS, and Javascript? Is this really going to cut it as a developer platform?
Yea but with the iPhone these "apps" were hosted in the cloud. With the new palm os these apps will be run locally (or at least thats the impression I'm getting). That would mean that running the app does not depend on a data connection. Its just that instead of writing the app in c, vb, java, etc its written in hmtl, css, and xml.
For your use of the phrase "the cloud", you are hereby banished from engadget for life.
The rest of your comment is good though.
Would you prefer "remote server"?
I prefer "Apple dungeon"
looks great!
Hey, I'm impressed. I was honestly looking forward to the HTC Touch Pro coming down in price, but I think I may go with this phone if it comes with Sprint. I've always liked Palm stuff, even if they were behind the times. Quality is always better than cutting edge...unless they happen at the same time, which it looks like this phone will accomplish. I currently have the Palm 800w and I want a phone that has a bigger screen but doesn't ditch the keyboard, like the iphone.
dude that sounds like my exact dilemma. i currently use a Treo 700wx (since it's the newest Treo Verizon has) mainly because of the touchscreen and full keyboard. i also like the WinMo platform but if this new OS accomplishes the openness of WinMo and is still as easy to use with all my other Microsoft devices/apps then i would have no problem making the switch. this thing seems like the perfect for me. it seems to have everything. consider me excited.
they should of made the keyboard slide out horizontal then the way it is now, it would give more room and slightly bigger buttons, i cana never type on those small ass keys when i play with them in the store.
As an owner of a 700p I have to say having a vertical keyboard is the best way to go. With a vertical keyboard one can type one handed (which is why I shied away from htc QWERTY phones). Also from the degree of the angle in the hinge, I don't think it will be too flimsy to hold one handed because all the weight will be transferred back to your palm (pun not intended).
Hardware out of the way, WebOS is a really great way for palm to think 'outside of the box'. Before anyone shoots me down for that statement I just want to say it is an innovative approach to a problem. How do you rapidly build a developer community around a new platform that faces staunch competition from the iPhone/WinMobile/Android/Blackberry communities? Most developers worth their salt know basic html; ergo, you use W3C standards to reach out to as many as quickly as possible.
I think this is the phone I've been waiting for the replace my nearly 3 year old 700p. I was scared there for a second that I'd have to jump ship like some of the weaker treonauts.
i'd say the keyboard is personal preference. personally i like the horizontal keyboards.
@Elais - Maybe they will force the html to be valid WC3 for it to render...so maybe a few "web developers" will actually learn how to write valid code!
I think it has potential to succeed.
it also has potential for Palm to REALLY screw itself over. Again.
lol @ Micheal Bluth.
:)
Lawl. Good eye. GOB would have been funnier, but it's still a freebie.
I want to know if the pre retains backward compatibility with garnet, even through an emulator. Throw that in, and have the keyboard slide down in landscape instead of portrait and I'd be all over this.
Don't forget the Blue Man Group!
Its too little too late for Palm, imo.
You got to be kiddin!
that's because you live under tha see
suck mi webos
Shocking. Has Palm pulled itself back from the brink of extinction?
Has aimbot function for targetting and haxing your pockets
Love Palm's Arrested Development reference in there.
Not a Palm fan but man this looks pretty slick. Go Palm!
Obviously an improvement over a Treo running GarnetOS, but hardly worth years of development.. I have to say what so many Palm fans don't want to here, but it's true... It's a FREAKING IPHONE!
Other than not running on AT&T, (although Sprint is certainly no Verizon) Why would I want to have this phone versus an iPhone? Particularly if development is limited to a glorified client-side web application?
Well just two things off the bat, a keyboard and Micro SD support which MOST Palm phones use so I'm certain this one will have it as well. You can't really make the bold judgement you did since you don't know enough about this phone yet.
Remember the Palm Pilot? That device that Palm created with a full screen icon driven keyboardless user interface?
So this phone has ripped of Palm...oh wait...
Wow, this is certainly more than I'd thought they'd pull off, but I'm curious just how powerful and slick an app you can really develop using HTML, CSS, etc. And will there be some kind of emulator or something for legacy Palm apps? Or are they pretty much left out in the cold?
Also, in this day and age, I was really hoping more companies would start putting higher resolution screens in their devices. My Dell Axim x50v is full VGA resolution, which seems much more useful to me.
I develop WebApps for a living and believe me when I tell you , there is no end to what you can accomplish with these basic of tools. It is extremely easy (although javascript can get messy very quickly) and is platform neutral to a certain extent.
I second that, Arnie. Those who say this is an iPhone rip off, imo they're just judging the book from the cover.
I also develop web applications for a living, working on both the client and server side, in addition to working on desktop applications.
Although you can accomplish quite a bit with javascript and HTML, a browser platform is NOT a legitimate replacement for a real software SDK. I'm sure developers will create many unique internet-centric applications for this device, but you will not see things like:
- Games
- VNC/RDP/remote desktop
- Telnet/SSH/terminal emulators
- Applications that require OpenGL rendering like medical visualization tools, chemistry apps/molecule viewers, and other specialized apps
- Image and video editing/manipulation/special effects
- live video broadcasting
- etc
While at this point in the evolution of mobile applications it may not seem to be a deal-killer, I worry that as software gets more advanced, Palm will be left in the dust by Android and iPhone OS.
I think has potential but lets not judge it until it comes out i guess the price its going to be important anything over 200 and its doom
thats going to be the most important thing i think now. it seems pretty obvious that they have a hit in terms of design and direction, but if they try to charge an arm and a leg for it, it'll all be for nothing.
here's hoping this becomes Sprint's $200 flagship phone. all the other carriers already have theirs in place.
AT&T - iPhone
Verizon - BB Storm
T-Mobile - G1
and hopefully Sprint - Pre
any videos of the UI and stuff?
What's the word on backwards compatibility with the older Palm OS library? That's always been one of their big assets, but surprisingly no mention at all of being able to run older Palm OS apps. The lack of a stylus might seem to indicate that backwards compatibility isn't in the cards.
Also, will there be other development models besides HTML/CSS/JavaScript? I'm wondering whether or not that will limit things compared to what devs can do with WinMo, Blackberry, iPhone and Android.