Palm announces webOS SDK availability, Palm OS emulation for Pre, new cloud services
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted April 1st 2009 8:30PM
posted April 1st 2009 8:30PM
In addition to the SDK news, Palm is introducing a new set of "integrated cloud services" for developers (called Mojo Messaging Service) which will use a standardized publish / subscribe system to allow data to be bounced from the "cloud" to devices. Basically, it looks like this is Palm's play for some of that push buzz -- though the indication is that this service can and will be used for bigger tasks as well.
Finally, the company announced that third-party developer MotionApps will be making a Palm OS emulator available for purchase to coincide with the launch of the Pre. The application will be utilize the mass storage mode of the device to allow for drag-and-drop of PRCs, though according to the press release, the emulator "won't be able to leverage core webOS functionality," meaning that you probably can't expect pure bliss across all of your applications, particularly those with roots that go deeper into phone databases and the like. What's interesting to note about this app is that it's being built on more than just the standard webOS SDK -- an event which Palm called "unique." They went on to assure us that this was a one-off to allow for emulation, but we're thinking they might want to reconsider that policy by factoring in the clamor for serious gaming on a device like the Pre. You can check an image of the emulator after the break.
So, no pricing, no release date, but lots of movement on the developer front -- which is big news if you're a company trying to launch a completely new operating system. Still, we're getting a bit antsy with all this waiting... it might be time to throw everyone a bigger bone than that tired "first half of 2009" line, guys.
Read - Palm developer site
Read - MotionApps Palm OS emulator
YES!
And on the application, under the "type of app" menu, there is an option for games!
Hello solitare, minesweeper, tetris, all the old classics!
Who knows what lies ahead? I can't wait to start messing around with the sdk.
That's about as deep as their games will go. Good luck finding something like livefire on the pre. The OS apps are just mainly widgets.
Wow str1f3, why dont you continue to show us how little you know.......
str1f3, I'm actually developing a game for the Pre it can do a lot more than your thinking, expect a few developers to be pushing the device when it comes out. I am going to presume that very few people are actually developing games, it takes a lot more time for game development than applications.
Either way I just hope they start sending out the confirmations to developers as soon as possible.
Templarian, EVERYONE is developing games. Pre is going to be a gaming powerhouse. The only people who think otherwise don't have a single clue.
@phenoum again: please stop talking. You're embarrasing yourself. Not only has engadget admitted as much when it comes to the pre and gaming, but so has palm. So again please save your idiocy for digg.
@Templarian: I hope you're right and I'd be glad to be proven wrong. Competition is always good even though the things I've heard about palm have not exactly endeared me to them. From what I've seen so far is that they are pushing web development toolsfor the sdk. the hardware is certainly more than capable.
@str1f3
You probably don't even know what processor it uses. Here's a hint, it's the same as the Pandora which from demos does a lot more than minesweeper and solitaire. It's called the TI OMAP3430 if you care to look it up.
Now what remains to be seen is if PALM can get the necessary API calls in place for developers to use in their applications. I'm sure PALM is working on it and we will see more and more of the OS' abilities as time passes.
@dubbs again another person who does not know how to read. If you actually read the post I said that the pre hardware was more than capable enough. You don't listen. It is about the software. Palm was on stage talking about using web standards for the sdk such as html5 and javascript with access to data natively on the pre. Now while there is great intergration possibilities, try making a graphically intensive game with that. Palm has never stated anything other than web tools for their SDK (this being the second time they have talked about it). Now while it is possible later on to add this into the API, palm really doesn't have a "later on". It is already getting late for the Pre. The company has been almost broke for the past year with an arrogant asshole for a CEO. Save your drivel for another poster
FINALLY!!!
Looks like the Pre will be here SOON!!!
It's on the back cover of section B of the Raleigh, NC Newspaper USA TODAY (FULL PAGE!!!)
The Newspaper USA TODAY in Raleigh, NC. Has a FULL PAGE on section B with the Palm Pre!!!!!!!
FINALLY!!!!!!
Something tells me it will be here SOON!!!!!
Call me super excited. I'm also getting terribly anxious for the release date/pricing/anything at all.
At this point, a limited release of the SDK to only cherry-picked developers is absolutely ridiculous.
Yeah I could care less about stuff like Pandora or Fandago, I want 500 fart noise apps like the iphone on release day!
The Cherry Picking is a disappointment. I suspect that means the API and tools are a bit flaky and so they don't want it widely available. Or, they are still twitchy about keeping things secret, so they only give it to people who can be trusted to keep their gobs shut.
If you don't want Fart Apps, you filter that out on what gets put on your App Store.
This is unheard off. Unless you have heard of Apple and the iPhone sdk. That is what Apple did and I didn't hear any complaints.
Funny, the rest of us heard a ton of complaints early on about that.
No, at this time a "limited release" to a small set of "developers" is known far and wide to just about every developer I know as a betatest. At best.
If you aren't listening to Marketeers who want to spin it differently.
Engadget listens to Marketeers, though.
While I generally agree with you in theory, it may be for the best if they are planning on making system API changes that will break all the code written in the beta SDK. This happened multiple times in the various beta releases of the Android SDK, and it was quite a pain in the ass for most people who were starting development early.
chefgon_ign,
You're exactly right. This is a Release Candidate version of the SDK and they are wanting to limit it to people/companies that are willing to handle changes to an SDK that may only be 90% stable/done.
The Pre is getting closer and closer to being final, but I wouldn't expect the phone to be out until the end of May or a little later. If they are just now releasing the RC of the SDK now, I would imagine they'd give developers a month to go over the SDK and help troubleshoot/finalize the SDK and then start shipping the phones around the country. We're at least two month away.
this figures more blah blah blah blah hurry up and wait
Heck yeah, to all those complainers that say where are the apps. Still it would be nice for some release date info though.
Good on ya Palm! Now give us a damn release date!
lol.,fail!!!!!!!!!no dates .prices terms,etc,,
A very odd move from palm - "here's our phone of the phone, now watch us run some ten year old apps on it".
The pre was expected to be a completely clean break with the past and all of the sounds coming out of the company suggested that they had no interest in doing anything with anyone for POS. I guess that the tanking economy made them think twice about that?
It doesn't mean they will still develop POS. It just means that ppl will have the opportunity to use any POS apps on their pre which is quite nice I think
Oh god, I just realized the abbreviation is POS
:D
It's not called Palm OS anymore... it's Garnet OS.
gah - "phone of the future"
Developers better get that content rollinnn..good luck keepin up with apple
BOOO! Your comment is sucking.
good luck keepin up? there are over 30,000 apps for palmOS already, not to mention the iminant flood coming. i myself will make one. and another guy who commented is going to. So apple is the one who has been catching up, son
Ryan, be realistic here: It looks great, no arguing that, but the Pre isn't even out yet. No one can run one of those 30,000 apps you talk about yet. In this case, the Pre is going to be playing catch up.
It's an interesting move. I hope it pays off.
I like Palm, but I'm not sure they call pull this WebOS thing off. I think it'll be seen in retrospect as the weakness of the device, especially in comparison with other devices.
Something that's even remotely hardware intensive, such as emulation, can't be done with WebOS, as this announcement shows. I wonder how long it is before we hear the games developers complain that games can't be made using WebOS. If we take the iPhone for comparison - the AppStore is its biggest feature right now. It's the number one thing all other OSes are implementing. It's in all the ads. Games make up a majority of all applications on the store. They are certainly extremely popular, and the figures show them as an important feature for consumers. Where games are concerned, the advantage is surely with the iPhone.
I'm not saying Palm's going to fail because of the lack of games, but it's certainly going to make it a lot harder for them. The Pre looks nice, but I'm not sure the decision to base a consumer-focused phone on a web operating system was a good idea.
The Palm OS emulation for Pre is Swift development now .I hope hvea one,
http://www.jb-electricbikes.com/
yeah - and how much freedom did crapple allow when the iPhone was released? shut yer trap
Apple had an SDK involving web applications. They failed because people wanted to use the hardware. In fairness, Palm is apparently letting developers take advantage of multi-touch, GPS and the accelerometer, but not the graphics interface.
I hope Palm didn't opt-out of building a powerful phone under the hood, because when the cries for native apps get loud enough, they're going to have to enable them or admit a design limitation of the hardware, pushing developers to their competitors.
DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS! DEVELOPERS!
I wasn't thinking it, but I am now
Sweet! Just signed up!
Yet another "Cry Wolf", getting those who are anxiously awaiting release date and pricing information hyped up, only to give us no useful information at all.
Palm is walking a very thin line with this. On the one hand, stringing potential customers along heightens the emotions around the release of the device, generates hype, and attracts attention. On the other hand, Palm in its financially decimated state cannot afford to lose the interest of the potential customer base by frustrating interested would-be buyers and withholding information.
Come on, Palm. Give us the phone, stop playing games.
I'm losing faith in Palm's ability to pull this off. While I can understand not talking pricing information until it's closer to teh launch date, It's long past time they started getting more firm regarding availability.
This is the second time of crying wolf....promises of big announcements, with a failure to deliver. This big whoop about emulation for apps build for an ancient OS, and release of the SDK could just as easily been done via press release.
I think I'm now in the "I'll believe it when i see it" camp.
This was a big announcement. Just because you can't wrap your brain around that does not make it untrue for other Palm Pre news followers.
This is NOT a big announcement. Everyone already knew that there was an sdk coming and they say that they will "cherry-pick" developers. They shouldn't announce anything if the sdk isn't widely available. The cherry-picked people should have had their hands on the sdk before an announcement. They are going to have a hard time getting developers with this tactic and they're almost broke. The mms intro shows that they're having issues with battery life on the pre. I once thought about getting a pre but the pre looks as if it will be technologically inferior to the iPhone by the rumors of hardware 3.0.
Another thing is with this mojo messaging service. Seriously does palm have to copy every step that apple makes? First it's multitouch, then they base the design of webOS off safari mobile tabs and os x, and now they mimic the push notification service! It has been known for a while also that palm is actively trying to hire apple engineers away from apple. They currently have about 10 apple people working on the webOS. They are worse than the Chinese knockoffs of the iPhone!
Seriously palm, get your nose out of apple's butt. All you're becoming is an iPhone with a keyboard and a shallow OS. I expected to see something new today and not roads that apple has already traveled.
@ str1f3
Yeah, ok - So Pandora and Amazon didnt have SDK info before this announcement? that's how they were able to write their apps right?
As for copying Apple - how many patents of Palm's has Apple ignored? look it up - a good read from your friendly engadget staff.
Go back to TUAW and stop being a doof
@phenoum or whatever: I am well aware of that column. I am well aware also that palm took stuff from the newton. I don't have a problem when companies take technologies from another company as long as they make it their own. I have no problem with microsoft mimicking the dock from osx. They added a lot more features that didn't exist in apple's dock, this improving on something. I have no problem with apple taking what they learned from the licensing agreement for exchange and implementing their own features into MobileMe.
Let me explain something to you since you don't sound too bright. Palm has brought over the chief designer of what is the webOS from apple. Palm currently has a standing offer for any apple engineer to pay them 25% more than what they are currently getting paid. Palm currently has 10 former apple engineers (that worked on the iPhone) working on the webOS.
Palm, as stated previously, has designed the whole idea of cards from the safari mobile tabs. The whole design resembles osx? Do you think that is a coincidence? When apple finally announces their pns, palm announces their own with no level of improvement.
When these things occur in such a way it wreaks of pure theft. There is untold code when you hire engineers away from other companies. These things do not take place between google,apple,ibm,and microsoft because there is a level of respect that they have for each other which palm seems to lack.
When sdk is fully available that is news. It is not news that they are cherry picking certain developers to give their sdk to. So what if amazon or whoever has it first. That's not the point. That's not an annoucement, they are merely giving you an update. If there is no freely downloadable sdk then it is if nothing happened. It is the day before except they gave the developers a sign up form. That's all.
So save it with your little idiotic remarks. You know nothing. If you had bothered to actually read the post, I probably would have got a pre. It is palm's practices that I do not respect and makes me still looking for a smartphone. So why don't you go back to digg and talk to the other zit-faced jerkoffs.
APRIL FOOLS!!!
we're releasing the device tomorrow.
thanks
What did I say, this phone will not come out the summer.
Well i guess if it is released before june 21, then you are right since that would be before summer and not during ;)