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Palm WebOS


Palm webOS is a smartphone operating system, powered by a Linux kernal. Anyone familiar with HTML, CSS and Javascript can take advantage of the Mojo SDK immediately since the application framework is based on familiar web technologies. The SDK provides sample code, the Palm webOS emulator, command-line tools and an optional Eclipse plug-ins; everything to get started.
 

Palm Pixi

 
  • Palm webOS™ platform
  • EvDO Rev A

  • 2.63-inch touch screen

  • with a vibrant 18-bit color

  • 320x400 screen resolution

  • Sub-HVGA display

  • Physical QWERTY keyboard
  • E-Mail

  • Integrated IM, SMS, and MMS

  • Built-in GPS

Palm Pre

 

 

 
  • Palm webOS™ platform
  • EvDO Rev A
  • 3.1-inch touch screen
  • Vibrant 24-bit color
  • 320x480 resolution
  • HVGA display
  • Physical QWERTY keyboard
  • E-Mail
  • Integrated IM, SMS, and MMS
  • Built-in GPS
  • 2 megapixel camera with LED flash
  • Ambient light, accelerometer, and proximity
  • Audio Formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, AMR, QCELP, WAV
    Video Formats: MPEG-4, H.263, H.264
  • Image Formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP
  • Bluetooth® wireless technology 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support

  • 8GB (~7GB user available) & USB mass storage

  • MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed

  • 3.5mm stereo

  • Includes aggregation for Facebook®, Google™, Microsoft® Office Outlook®, LinkedIn®, Yahoo! Mail, Google Talk™, AIM Instant Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger.

  • Searches user's applications, contacts, dialing information, and web.

  • Third party and ROM applications accessible as movable, multi-view cards.

  • Includes over-the-air backup, restore, remote erase, and software updates.

  • Palm Touchstone™ Charging Dock Compatible

  • Dimensions

    Width: 55.0mm (2.17 inches)
    Height: 111.0mm (4.37 inches)
    Thickness: 10.85mm (0.43 inches)

  • Weight: 99.5 grams (3.51 ounces)
  • 3 megapixel camera with LED flash
  • Ambient light, accelerometer, and proximity
  • Audio Formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, AMR, QCELP, WAV
  • Video Formats: MPEG-4, H.263, H.264
  • Image Formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP
  • Wi-Fi 802.11b/g with WPA, WPA2, WEP, 802.1X authentication Bluetooth® wireless technology 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
  • 8GB (~7GB user available) & USB mass storage
  • MicroUSB connector with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
  • 3.5mm stereo
  • Includes aggregation for Facebook®, Google™, Microsoft® Office Outlook®, LinkedIn®, Yahoo! Mail, Google Talk™, and AIM Instant Messenger.
  • Searches user's applications, contacts, dialing information, and web.
  • Third party8 and ROM applications accessible as movable, multi-view cards.
  • Includes over-the-air backup, restore, remote erase, and software updates.
  • Palm Touchstone™ Charging Dock Compatible

  • Dimensions

    Width: 59.5mm (2.3 inches)
    Height: 100.5mm (3.9 inches)
    Thickness: 16.95mm (0.67 inches)

  • Weight: 135 grams (4.76 ounces)

 

Getting Started with WebOS Application Development

 

Creating programs that run on webOS phones is just as easy as writing web apps for the desktop.  Follow the steps on this page and you'll have a running webOS application.

 

Get the Tools

Create, Build, and Run an Application

  • After downloading the SDK, the Hello, World! tutorial is a great place to start learning the Palm webOS application framework.
  • Do you have an exisitng Java script app? Porting older apps is also another method for learning webOS as recommended by the excellent webOS community driven wiki, webos-internals.org

Tutorials

 

Here are few tutorials for you to jump start - Thanks to Palm and the webOS community.

Downloads

Reference: Learn more at Palm's developer portal

Develop

 

Developer Code Signing

 

To install and test applications on a webOS device for development purpose, you need to enable Developer mode on the device. (No developer certificates or codesigning is needed). Note: Locking the phone with a PIN does not protect data on the device in Developer mode. When Developer mode is enabled, it is possible to use tools such as novaterm to access the device through the USB even if the phone is locked.

 

To Enable Developer mode:

  • In Card view or in the Launcher application, type the following: upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
  • Tap the resulting Developer Mode Enabler icon.
  • In the application, move the Developer Mode slider to the On position.
  • Tap Reset the Device.
  • When reset is complete, Developer mode is enabled.

Technical Articles and Documentation

  • Additional webOS information can be found at the API Reference site.
  • The forums at palm developer portal, and precentral are also sources to find help. Feel free to hold discussions with webOS community at any of the three webOS IRC channels. There is also the possiblity of finding a local webOS programming group nearby by visiting http://predevcamp.org/

Best Practices

Test

 

Best Practices

Release - Palm's App Distribution

 

As a part of the Palm Developer Program, a number of distribution methods will be available by the end of the year for distributing webOS app. To register for a Palm Developer Program visit developers.palm.com; there will be a $99 yearly registration fee. But note the $99 yearly registration fee can be waived, more details on this below. Palm is essentially offering two methods for app distribution: web distribution and an app store (App Catalog). Developers will be able to fully distribute their application over the air using either of these methods. The differences between the two methods is promotion and application discovery. Both free and paid apps will be able use either distribution methods, which paid applications entitles the developer 70% of revenue.

 

Palm App Catalog

 

The most targeted distribution method to webOS customers is the Palm App Catalog, it is available on every webOS device. The Palm App Catalog is a branded channel that requires application review to ensure quality. Applications submitted to the Palm App Catalog are subject to approval according to Palm User Interface Guidelines and the Palm Application Content Criteria; the same qualifiers for self-certification.

Each application submitted to the Palm App Catalog will be charged $50. The Palm App Catalog is a valued distribution channel as well as a friction point to control the flow of apps, the $50 charge recognizes this. This fee will cover the lifetime of the application, including new revisions of the application. In the case the app is rejected, Palm has made a promise to provide information specifically on the reason why the app was rejected.

Priority placement opportunities will also be available within the Palm App Catalog. These placement will allow developer applications to gain more visibility than the standard app submission. Palm wants to provide developers a venue to invest and grow their businesses. Once these priority placement opportunities are available, they will be priced at market value through an auction mechanism with open transparency.

 

Web Distribution

 

When an application is submitted to Palm, within hours a unique URL linked to the application will be returned to the developer. The developer is free to share and distribute the URL through blogs, social networks or through whatever medium they see fit. These links will provide the ability for over the air downloads without having to go through any review process. The only request Palm has is that the application be self-certified, meaning the application meets the Palm User Interface Guidelines as well as the Palm Application Content Criteria.

 

Waiving Registration Fee for Open Source

 

If an app is open source, Palm will waive the $99 yearly registration fee. The source of the app must be licensed under a commonly accepted licenses (BSD, Apache, GPL, MIT, etc). Open source projects will have their own registration process as well as developer accounts that only have open source projects associated with them.

 

The Payout

 

Paid applications are included in both of Palm's App Distribution methods. The developer of the paid app will receive 70% of the revenue generated. In order to receive payment, the developer will need to setup a Paypal account. Customers will be able to purchase applications using a MasterCard or Visa.

 

Registration
  • Register for a Palm Developers Program at developer.palm.com for an annual fee of $99.
  • The annual fee is waived for open source applications licensed under the commonly accepted licenses (BSD, Apache, GPL, MIT, etc).

App Catalog
  • $50 fee per application. Fee covers the lifetime of the application, including future versions.
  • Applications are promoted through the Palm App Catalog, which is included in every webOS device.
  • Application are reviewed and approved by Palm. They are subject for approval according to the Palm User Interface Guidelines and the Palm Application Content Criteria
  • Applications are download over the air.
  • Application are reviewed in the order they are received and in a timely fashion.
  • Rejection information will be provided to assist with revision and app resubmission.

  • Priority Placement

    • Application charged for placement value based on market rate.
    • Application placed at limited number of high visibility, priority placement

Web distribution
  • No fees for application submission.
  • Applications are self-promoted. e.g. Web Sites, Blogs, Social Networking, etc
  • Applications are self-certified to adhere by the Palm User Interface Guidelines and the Palm Application Content Criteria
  • Applications are download over the air.
  • Application URL created within a few hours of app submission.
  • No fees for application submission.
  • Applications are self-promoted. e.g. Web Sites, Blogs, Social Networking, etc
  • Applications are self-certified to adhere by the Palm User Interface Guidelines and the Palm Application Content Criteria
  • Applications are download over the air.
  • Application URL created within a few hours of app submission.

Payment
  • Developer receives 70% of revenue generated by app.
  • Paypal account required to receive payment.
  • MasterCard and Visa are accepted for app purchase.

For more specific details on Palm's App Distribution refer to the Palm App Distribution article at developer.palm.com

Code Samples

  • Coming Soon

Videos/Webcasts and Blogs

Reference: Learn more at Palm's Developer Portal

Cool Stuff

 

Featured apps

 

 

Pandora on the Palm® Pre™ is your own FREE personalized radio now available to stream music on your Palm® Pre™ phone.

 

Already a Pandora user? Even easier. Just log in. Pandora on the Palm Pre is fully integrated with Pandora on the web.

 

How to get it:
To download the Pandora app, visit the App Catalog on your Palm Pre phone and search for Pandora. Learn more : http://www.pandora.com/palm

 

Want to see your App featured here? Please send your request to us.

 

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