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
In other words, Palm is copying Apples every move. Except for WebOS, which will be a huge failure. LOL
...... i have nothing to say to you.
I don't think anyone really does. For me it's just a source of laughter. I have his profile as a bookmark just for the fact that each and every one of his comments gives me, at the very least, a good chuckle. Sometimes it's downright hysterical.
A word against the pre. Blasphemy.
Mojo Messaging Service? That doesn't make a confusing acronym at all.
Jesus, I was SO hot on this phone 6 months ago... but after not hearing about release dates or a price for months and months, I've pretty much given up on it.
Uh, January you mean? I guess it feels like 6 months..
This IS big news.
What good is a $250 or $299 phone it it has no applications to run.
In all likelihood this thing isn't being released till June. Meaning that by allowing Developers to start coming on board NOW in April instead of releasing the SDK 3 weeks before launch IS a huge thing. It gives Palm the possibility to have 50+ apps available in their App Store right out of the bat.
Is that competing with Apple's thousands of apps, many of which are copies of another app for the most part? No. But its ludicrous to expect Palm to compete with where Apple is 3 years after release on their first day. However, having a good foundation of developer apps from Day One will be huge for them and a big benefit. This IS a major announcement.
So is the announcement of POS. There are more POS programs out there then there are iPhone programs. There are thousands upon thousands of people that have Palm OS software and were hoping that said software just doesn't go completely obsolete. By giving emulation they allow those people to still use those programs, and others to have access to a large amount of programs, till such point that they are ported over native to the Pre.
This was a big announcement, as big as they could do besides launch date and price. And if those are all you care about to hear you may as well cover your eyes and ears till the end of April, early May, cause we're not likely to hear it till then.
Plenty of POS programs on the iPhone too.
Oh. That's not what you meant...
Other than contacts, calendar and Avant Go, the primary function of my PDAs have been to track my expenditures in M$ Money. For my Palm PDAs (a Handspring, then Clie) I had a rather pricey app called Palm Money. When I switched to a Dell Axim, I was able to use the free Pocket Money, though it lacked something as basic as a built-in calculator. If they include POS functionality in the Pre, it'd be a neat treat as long as they have some way to sync the Pre with the desktop PC.
> ...This was a big announcement...
No, it wasn't.
It was an announcement that Palm is still betatesting the SDK framework a mere two months before the Pre is deadlined to be released and needs some more betatesters to help their effort.
Just want to know what this emulation software will cost. Why do I have a feeling it will be $50? Wish it came with the phone as a standard feature. Or at least offer a 30 day trial and a discount to unlock.
The truth is that for many $50 is worth it to have access to Palm OS apps.
I, too, now believe the Pre has been indefinitely delayed. :'-(
That's utter nonsense, Palm is simply being smart and not allowing any chance of them having to say that the phone is delayed, since it can't be delayed if there's no real release date.
I'm getting wit thinking about Palm new phones, YES I said PHONES!!!
check this out:
http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2009/04/01/breaking-palm-reveals-new-post-smartphone-still-working-on-pre/
amusing .. but well past April 1st here ..
as I have said before, I want a phone to do what I need it to do out of the box. Apps are not a make or break option for me.
Then I would say there is nothing better than Symbian S60. Out of the box functionality is second to none.
pre comes after wm7
At lasttt !!!!
I keep looking for the (more) link to get to the big news..
Will the developers get to hold the Pre -- or does Palm send someone out each day ..
Footnote in history:
Palm Pre - an ambitious device most noted for simultaneously sinking two formerly large corporations, Palm and Sprint, who unwisely and unfortunately hung large parts of their future on the often delayed and much hyped operating system.
This is the big news, the start of a new platform for developers!
What is the deal with all of the whining? I see no reason AT ALL for disappointment. You guys/gals basically assumed that Palm would be announcing a release date, they didn't, now you think it will never be released??? You gotta be kiddin me. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will stop Palm from allowing me to get rid of my WinMo infested no keyboard (thought that wasn't such a bad thing when I got it) Diamond. So just have a little faith.
WTF?
Is this how we will refer to push services from now on as "cloud services"?? WTF?!
I would have to say that trademarking Mojo is a bit .... mmmmm... what's the word....
Stupid.... nope
Insane.... nope
Waste of money you ain't got.... close
Playing havoc in the public domain..... nearly there...
Asinine .... yep, spot on...
The name has been in public use for so long Palm (as in hairs on...) will never be able to file an infringement suit.
Which is pretty close to how they can make money anymore...
It looks like a lovely piece of hardware
And it looks like it almost is here...
But...
(and a big BUT it is)
The proof is in the putting...
And so far, it has been delays and excuses...
I am waiting for the announcement that the dog ate to only copy of the _________ (fill in as you wish) and then there will be more delays and excuses...
And I was a Palm user for-friggen-ever
Notice the past tense...
Donate to your lol? OK...LOL @ you.
Actually, Palm OS emulation is a very smart - and dare I say - necessary move. This will help fill the void until the WebOS apps begin to appear in volume. Not only that, but a lot of die-hard Palmies miss some of those old apps, some of which have never been equaled. There are STILL apps being made for that OS, believe it or not (you can probably thank the emulator scene - I have one on my E62). In fact, Palm should work to ensure that the Pre can emulate as many OS's as possible. You want games on your Pre? How about Gameboy Advanced titles? While I don't think the Pre will see success anything like the iPhone, that's mostly due to Palm's poor choice of carrier. I can only hope they do like they have in the past and get that thing on every network in the country.
lets not be a smartass...
I just want to point out what was said on the palm blog today:
"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."
http://blog.palm.com/
Which addresses an argument I made earlier on Engadget.
Apps will run natively on WebOS
That's pretty ambiguous wording, I'm not exactly sure what statement you're trying to make. It looks like the blog is just stating that their HTML based applications are installed to the phone instead of being streamed over the internet like a web site, but that's been common knowledge forever.
Now all that needs to happen is to run TealOS in emulation on the Pre - the ultimate in recursion!
I said "Apps will run natively on WebOS"
Palm said "Web applications run natively on the phone"
I think what I was trying to say was pretty clear.
All web based apps... where will my PS1/GBA/SNES emulator run?
To join the Mojo Framework SDK Developer’s Network Community go to http://www.mojodn.com and contribute. This is an important start to the webOS and Mojo community.
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!!!!!
This phone sounds awesome in every way, but what's with this "no access to binary apps" BS? That's the only fly in this ointment.
Just open it up already. The thing has an OMAP3430 - the first phone to ever have that kind of hardware. It has 3D graphics acceleration built in. Why the heck not open it up so developers can tap into that power?
Yeah, going back to Palm!