Palm responds to NaNplayer rejection: "We are happy for it to continue life as homebrew" until APIs are complete
By Nilay Patel 
posted Sep 10th 2009 6:02PM
posted Sep 10th 2009 6:02PM
[Thanks, Joe]
Please note: If you're a current Engadget commenter, you do not need to re-register. Simply login and you will be prompted to select a username.
u guys won't be so happy when developers all left the room...
I just don't get it, the most important issues with web os is that they don't have enough developers working on creating new apps. Have they ever considered the consequences of annoying the community? As a pre owner and a potential developer, I am extremely disappointed with this decision.
why? all Palm is doing is not allowing you to use unfinalized code. Its not like they are rejecting it because it duplicates functionality like apple does. And the nod towards homebrew is nice
But I mean, the other option is to have an app in the App Catalog that they know for a fact is going to break in a future update... that doesn't sound too good either.
Umm so helping the developer get it on to a better supported API is a bad thing? Com'on guy! At least Palm will give you a HELPFUL explanation and have expectations of your App returning while allowing an alternate way of having your App on the platform in the meantime. Try getting help/answers from Apple after app rejection even remotely close to this... oh wait.
makes sense, I hope they get those APIs out soon
Well ok, since I won't be syncing with iTunes any time soon.
Quite a different attitude between the two companies, I would say.
"We rejected this in our online store, but you're more than welcome to side load it."
Versus
"If you use the rejected apps the terrorists win!!!"
SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CELL PHONE TOWERS!!!
Arrg.. Too often Palm fanboys whine about the iPhone apps that get rejected. How about that
Palm fanboys? :)
HYPOCRITES!
not the same thing. apple rejected a goddamn DICTIONARY because it had objectional words in it (that you had to type out COMPLETELY to get them to show up).
this is an app built on un-finalized code... when the code is finished and the app is based on that (so that the app won't break on someone's phone) they're going to allow them to re-list it.
not even close to the same thing.
yes, we get it, you have an iphone and you're a big fan.... I have one too, but you don't see me with my head up my ass. grow up.
Prokanda, you deserve the internets of the day award.
dcoaster @
You meant the Hypocrite award of the day?
What goes around comes around.
ridley182@ said "What goes around comes around."
Now this is truly the Internet award of the day!
No one in Cupertino is taking notes cause we unfortunately continue to feed them despite their inconsistencies and their super secret knowledge of what I REALLY want (lack of cameras and bluray to name a few). Go PALM!
They'd be taking notes in Cupertino, but they can't run Notes and Safari at the same time...
sheer greatness !!
You, sir, win the internets for today.
Win.
Best comment I've read on Engadget all day...
EPIC win
LOL best comment I've read all day!
Have all the internets been given away yet? Because I'm tired of that joke
Well whoever gave the internet away, get it back and give it to this guy!
+1
...and this is why apple's time is limited. that, and steve's the only reason it floats at all. the only reason why charging significantly more for the same product actually works.
Typed from my iPhone...
but I would like to trade it in for something like an android, something more relaxed, something not apple
Thank you Palm! Excellent way to handle this situation. +1!
The difference between Palm and Apple on this is public relations, nothing more.
So Palm said it's fine to run as a homebrew app, while Apple says nothing.
Yeah, like i need their permission.
And.. you know... actually telling the devs exactly why they rejected it. Oh, and the fact that it was rejected for using an unfinished API that would make the app likely to completely break when it's actually finalized. I take no sides in the Pre vs. iPhone battle(G1 owner here) but seriously, use your head.
The fact that WebOS allows sideloading without jailbreaking, and iphone does not is PR?
NOTHING? READ THIS POST AND THEN GOOGLE SOME.
"insky @ Sep 10th 2009 6:08PM
Quite a different attitude between the two companies, I would say.
"We rejected this in our online store, but you're more than welcome to side load it."
Versus
"If you use the rejected apps the terrorists win!!!"
If Apple could win legally, hacking community would never been allowed for iphone in the first place. Oh but they tried. They mentioned that due to hacking there is chance that ATT towers will be hacked as well etc. Its the point where Apple lawyers just say no to Jobs and give him Apple cedar to calm him down otherwise Jobs would just sue Palm, European Union, Hacking Community and Chinese government just to have iphone the only better phone in market. Did you guys even listen to him when he was talking to Pogue about Ebooks, Amazon and why he didnt have camera on Itouch? By god people!
@mark
Both your comments are wrong
1.Apple tells the developers why they reject an app. It may be for a stupid reason but they tell them.
2.Apple had similar situations with unfinished APIs and told developers that it was the reason for rejecting an app.
@skrew
What? I didn't know Web OS comes preinstalled with homebrew apps.
Oh wait
http://www.precentral.net/right-now-install-homebrew-app
@titanium man: The Pre comes pre-"jailbroken" - Rooting is poor terminology. You can take a Pre out of the box, type the Konami Code into it to activate Developer Mode, and plug it into a computer and open a terminal with root access immediately - no hackery or subversion required. The Pre may not come preinstalled with homebrew apps, but it is utterly trivial to install them onto any Pre, especially thanks to the efforts of the community to create great installer apps on both the desktop and the device itself.
@Libb
"The [device name] may not come preinstalled with homebrew apps, but it is utterly trivial to install them onto any [device name], especially thanks to the efforts of the community to create great installer apps on both the desktop and the device itself."
Which device am i talking about?
oh but you do need their permission or else they will come and get you
This is a QC judgement call. They are opting not to fully open shop yet until the OS is in a more stable development state. Now I understand better why they only allowing apps based on web scripting languages for the time being.
All I know is, I would hate to work for Apples App store team, 75000 apps? Thats alot of fine tooth combs. Sure, Apple could say "have fun jail breaking your iPhones" but what difference would that make?
I love how people feed the media, despite their inconsistencies and their super secret knowledge of what I people really want...
WIN
And we have Apple calling jailbreaking "illegal."
A fun addendum. Precentral just posted that just as NaNplayer gets rejected due to unofficial API use, the App Catalog just added gDialPro. The Google Voice app long available via homebrew is now in the App Catalog.
http://www.precentral.net/app-catalog-gets-google-voice-app-and-much-more
Caveat: the homebrew version uses Synergy for Universal Search, the App Catalog one only search Google Contacts. This is, again, because the Synergy API used in the homebrew version is not yet approved.
And here we have a good clean enviroment for designing apps. Problem solved. Take a clue, apple.
Quick! Get yourself highly ranked!
All you have to do is, come up with some subjective, arbitrary and totally crap reason why it is OK for Palm to reject apps and never ever OK for Apple to reject apps!
Just look at all the subjective, arbitrary and totally crap reasons people have already come up with!
How's your sophistry?
Quick try to manufacture outrage that somebody else other than Dear Leader is deciding not to sell a program in their online store...just because they wrote their program wrong. I mean you can still install the program on your phone, because ummm, their online store is not the only way to get programs on your phone, but ummm...oh yeah Grrrrr. Ignore the fact that I've never once gotten upset at "Dear Leader" for banning programs for absolutely idiotic reasons like "Duplicating Future Functionality" or that"If you look in all the right places and try really hard and actually go out of your way, you could potentially read a dirty book" and that I can never ever get those programs onto my phone now. Ignore the fact that I have vehemently defended every banning that Dear Leader has doled out. This REALLY REALLY makes me upset....do you believe me yet guys?
NOBODY was upset when Apple dumped a ton of apps that were written before the API's of the Appstore were written. Few people get upset when a minor iPhone update kills an app forever. In fact everybody wants Apple to ban the apps that don't adhere to the API's. That was supposed to be the extent of the Appstore reviewal process. People DO get upset when Apple bans apps for completely ridiculous reasons. "Duplicates Future Functionality" "If you download it you could read the Kama Sutra" "Replaces iPhone dialer". MANY MANY people would complain less if Apple let you install programs outside the Appstore. Unfortunately because of Apple's controlling nature you get to use only the software they choose for you to use.
With Web OS you can install any program written for it no matter if Palm hates it.
It's cute and all that you're trying to act like you're truly outraged, but if you can't see the difference between "this" and when Apple bans an App because it competes in some minor way with a service they offer or may offer, then you really are too far gone.
I certainly hope Apple is taking notes. Palm has taken the underdog position that Apple used to hold and I'm sure it wouldn't take too much for Palm to create a huge following like it used to have. Though, I would like to see Palm release a single LINE WebOS phones like Apple has done with the iPhone instead of taking the generic cell phone manufacturing approach and producing a bazillion different handsets.
I have seen screenshots of this thing already. The app is butt ugly. I would rather use my nano for music than my pre anyway.
Apple is taking notes.
"Note to self: make sure that your phone's music functionality is good enough when it gets out the door that no one cares enough to build an alternative audio playing tool."
I applaud Palm for being pretty upfront with the developer and users for having the option to side load, but, after using a variety of Palm devices, and even the Pre itself, it's pretty clear Palm hasn't learned their lesson as to why someone would pick up an Apple or RIM or WinMo device over theirs in the first place.
If you need FREEDOM OMG FREEDOM on your device, then your device sucks.