palm webos

Wow, what a difference a week makes!

Last week saw the release of several highly anticipated games for webOS. Rovio’s Angry Birds, by some counts the most popular game on the iPad, has made it’s webOS debut. Filled with crazy pig defeating action, it has already wasted countless hours here at Palm HQ. Astraware also released their highly anticipated Sudoku and OddBlob apps. Go go webOS games!

Angry Birds and Pixi Dust are still dominating the top spots while the 50k tier has seen some back and forth jockeying for position. Galcon had slipped into #4 for a bit, but is back up to #3. On the free side Glow Hockey FREE came out of no where and zoomed straight to #2 in just a week. Clearly there’s demand for great new webOS apps.

Lower down in the rankings we are seeing a ton of movement.
Last week we had a few empty spots on the free side, but no more. Don’t think it means you can’t compete, however. We’ve still got a month left and every day a few more apps go from nothing to be right in middle of the pack. We’ve gotten an influx of interesting music & sound apps, including Drummer, Tonal Pool,
Mini Piano, Dog Whistle, and the always handy Service Bell.

On the Fast Mover’s side we can see that Angry Birds and Glow Hockey top the chart, no surprise, but further down there are a ton of interesting new apps popping up; such as The Billy Goat Brain Academy and puzzler Sigma from BigStack Studios.

Oh, and one more thing. webOS 1.4.5 shipped for the Verizon Pixi Pluses last night, which means there are even more phones out their waiting to buy your Hot Apps. Time to get to hackin’ on more apps!

Wow, what a difference a week makes!

Last week saw the release of several highly anticipated games for webOS. Rovio’s Angry Birds, by some counts the most popular game on the iPad, has made it’s webOS debut. Filled with crazy pig defeating action, it has already wasted countless hours here at Palm HQ. Astraware also released their highly anticipated Sudoku and OddBlob apps. Go go webOS games!

Angry Birds and Pixi Dust are still dominating the top spots while the 50k tier has seen some back and forth jockeying for position. Galcon had slipped into #4 for a bit, but is back up to #3. On the free side Glow Hockey FREE came out of no where and zoomed straight to #2 in just a week. Clearly there’s demand for great new webOS apps.

Lower down in the rankings we are seeing a ton of movement.
Last week we had a few empty spots on the free side, but no more. Don’t think it means you can’t compete, however. We’ve still got a month left and every day a few more apps go from nothing to be right in middle of the pack. We’ve gotten an influx of interesting music & sound apps, including Drummer, Tonal Pool,
Mini Piano, Dog Whistle, and the always handy Service Bell.

On the Fast Mover’s side we can see that Angry Birds and Glow Hockey top the chart, no surprise, but further down there are a ton of interesting new apps popping up; such as The Billy Goat Brain Academy and puzzler Sigma from BigStack Studios.

Oh, and one more thing. webOS 1.4.5 shipped for the Verizon Pixi Pluses last night, which means there are even more phones out their waiting to buy your Hot Apps. Time to get to hackin’ on more apps!

When webOS 2.0 lands later this year, it’s going to bring with it some major enhancements to Universal Search. So major, in fact, that Palm is changing the name to Just Type to reflect that there’s more to it than just search. So what exactly does that entail?

As we surmised earlier this month, app developers will now be able to build plug-ins for Just Type that will enable users to search just about anything. Not only can search queries be added for websites (as we’ve seen done through homebrew), apps can now register with Just Type so that users can launch a search of info in that app directly from the webOS card view. Be it checking a medication in ePocrates or looking up a friend’s Facebook profile, the possibilities of extension of search in Just Type are wide open.

But like we said, search isn’t all there is to Just Type in webOS 2.0. The other, and if you as us more exciting, addition is that of Quick Actions. This is the reason behind the name change, and it’s one that will change a lot of user behaviors. Quick Actions allow users to trigger actions other than search from Just Type. As a hypothetical example, one could punch up a 140-character pithy comment and post it to Twitter without even opening an app. Or you could jot a quick note-to-self and add it to your Tasks list, all from Just Type.

More so than the expandable search options of Just Type, Quick Actions blows open the doors for a new level of seamless multitasking... essentially Quick Actions in webOS 2.0 will allow you to do things in apps without ever having to launch the app. We could go on all day about the possibilities of Quick Actions (compose email, set alarms, create calendar appointments, Facebook status updates, Foursquare check-ins, send text messages, update your blog, etc), but we won’t. Think of it this way: if it’s something you have to type to accomplish, then Quick Actions could enable you to do it faster than ever before.

There’s something else interesting to note about Just Type: a search box has been added to card view in webOS 2.0 (it says simply “Just Type”). This new permanent placement serves one very defined purpose: it drastically increases discoverability. Many of us can attest to running into a normal webOS user that wasn’t even aware of the just start typing existence of Universal Search (or the just start typing search in any manner of apps). By putting the Just Type search box in such a prominent position, Palm is ensuring that one of the best features of webOS doesn’t go unused by those who would benefit the most.

There’s a second and more intriguing possibility behind the permanent placement, and it’s something we touched on in our overview of webOS 2.0’s newly announced features: “just start typing” is impossible if your device doesn’t have a keyboard. While we would love for Palm to figure out a way to release a webOS slate with a keyboard, we aren’t too optimistic of that actually happening. Without a keyboard, the aforementioned slate would have no way to launch a Just Type search if there weren’t a search box to tap on and trigger the appearance of a virtual keyboard.

Enough speculation, let’s get down to it. Just Type with Quick Actions is poised to change the way we use our phones, and most certainly for the better. We want to know: what searches do you want to see added to Just Type, and just how do you see yourself using Quick Actions?

When webOS 2.0 lands later this year, it’s going to bring with it some major enhancements to Universal Search. So major, in fact, that Palm is changing the name to Just Type to reflect that there’s more to it than just search. So what exactly does that entail?

As we surmised earlier this month, app developers will now be able to build plug-ins for Just Type that will enable users to search just about anything. Not only can search queries be added for websites (as we’ve seen done through homebrew), apps can now register with Just Type so that users can launch a search of info in that app directly from the webOS card view. Be it checking a medication in ePocrates or looking up a friend’s Facebook profile, the possibilities of extension of search in Just Type are wide open.

But like we said, search isn’t all there is to Just Type in webOS 2.0. The other, and if you as us more exciting, addition is that of Quick Actions. This is the reason behind the name change, and it’s one that will change a lot of user behaviors. Quick Actions allow users to trigger actions other than search from Just Type. As a hypothetical example, one could punch up a 140-character pithy comment and post it to Twitter without even opening an app. Or you could jot a quick note-to-self and add it to your Tasks list, all from Just Type.

More so than the expandable search options of Just Type, Quick Actions blows open the doors for a new level of seamless multitasking... essentially Quick Actions in webOS 2.0 will allow you to do things in apps without ever having to launch the app. We could go on all day about the possibilities of Quick Actions (compose email, set alarms, create calendar appointments, Facebook status updates, Foursquare check-ins, send text messages, update your blog, etc), but we won’t. Think of it this way: if it’s something you have to type to accomplish, then Quick Actions could enable you to do it faster than ever before.

There’s something else interesting to note about Just Type: a search box has been added to card view in webOS 2.0 (it says simply “Just Type”). This new permanent placement serves one very defined purpose: it drastically increases discoverability. Many of us can attest to running into a normal webOS user that wasn’t even aware of the just start typing existence of Universal Search (or the just start typing search in any manner of apps). By putting the Just Type search box in such a prominent position, Palm is ensuring that one of the best features of webOS doesn’t go unused by those who would benefit the most.

There’s a second and more intriguing possibility behind the permanent placement, and it’s something we touched on in our overview of webOS 2.0’s newly announced features: “just start typing” is impossible if your device doesn’t have a keyboard. While we would love for Palm to figure out a way to release a webOS slate with a keyboard, we aren’t too optimistic of that actually happening. Without a keyboard, the aforementioned slate would have no way to launch a Just Type search if there weren’t a search box to tap on and trigger the appearance of a virtual keyboard.

Enough speculation, let’s get down to it. Just Type with Quick Actions is poised to change the way we use our phones, and most certainly for the better. We want to know: what searches do you want to see added to Just Type, and just how do you see yourself using Quick Actions?

Apple Insider
WebOS 2.0 beta ready for developers
Computerworld
Palm launched Palm Pre and Palm Pixi smartphones based on the first WebOS version, and HP said it will continue using WebOS in smartphones, ...
Palm unveils webOS 2.0, SDK available to developersApple Insider
Facebook for Palm webOS updatedMobile Burn
Palm releases webOS 2.0 beta to developersTuscaloosa News (subscription) (blog)
Erictric -PC World Magazine -GigaOm (blog)
all 78 news articles »

Gather.com
Cellular - new smart phone plan with mandatory usage fee
Gather.com
Right this moment, if new customers buy a Palm-Pre from Verizon Wireless, it costs $50, provided they swear to a two-year contract (and accept the penalty ...

 

We've covered the new features (that we know about) coming in webOS 2.0 from a user-perspective with a side of development. But the real focus of today's announcement is the webOS 2.0 Beta SDK availability. This new SDK is a Big Deal for two reasons:

• webOS is even more compatible with web-technology
• It's easier than ever to create differentiating features that can only happen on webOS 2.0

The former is a big deal for bringing more developers into the fold. The latter is a big deal for any developers who want to see webOS succeed. Read on for our thoughts on what opportunities for cool apps and features can be found in the new APIs coming with webOS 2.0.

read more

 

We've covered the new features (that we know about) coming in webOS 2.0 from a user-perspective with a side of development. But the real focus of today's announcement is the webOS 2.0 Beta SDK availability. This new SDK is a Big Deal for two reasons:

• webOS is even more compatible with web-technology
• It's easier than ever to create differentiating features that can only happen on webOS 2.0

The former is a big deal for bringing more developers into the fold. The latter is a big deal for any developers who want to see webOS succeed. Read on for our thoughts on what opportunities for cool apps and features can be found in the new APIs coming with webOS 2.0.

read more

Verizon Wireless is thinking to offer prepaid Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus? That’s what I heard from a number of news/rumor sites. $45 will cover voice and $30 will let you have unlimited emails and web. Only $5 more than a comparable post-paid plan. Too good to be true? Not really. Right now you can have a month-to-month plan if you choose to pay retail price of a new headset. The minimum monthly fee will set you back $39.99. And since you are paying a full retail price for the phone, you are not required to sign up for any data plan. If you don’t want to be locked into a 2-year contract and don’t want to pay a full retail price for a new mobile phone, pay as you go plan is a good solution. However, a prepaid Palm Pre Plus will be probably cost you somewhere between $300 and $400 vs. $100 or even $0.00 with post-paid plan. Which one to choose? You decide.

Verizon Wireless is thinking to offer prepaid Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus? That’s what I heard from a number of news/rumor sites. $45 will cover voice and $30 will let you have unlimited emails and web. Only $5 more than a comparable post-paid plan. Too good to be true? Not really. Right now you can have a month-to-month plan if you choose to pay retail price of a new headset. The minimum monthly fee will set you back $39.99. And since you are paying a full retail price for the phone, you are not required to sign up for any data plan. If you don’t want to be locked into a 2-year contract and don’t want to pay a full retail price for a new mobile phone, pay as you go plan is a good solution. However, a prepaid Palm Pre Plus will be probably cost you somewhere between $300 and $400 vs. $100 or even $0.00 with post-paid plan. Which one to choose? You decide.

DailyTech
Verizon Wireless to Offer Pre-Paid 3G Smartphones
Erictric
However, a newly-leaked document suggests that the pre-paid plans offered by the mobile carrier will extend to other 3G smartphones such as the Palm Pre ...
The smartest phone for youBoston Globe

all 289 news articles »

 Ok, we're totally not taking credit for this one - but a matter of days after we held a Sprint Palm Pricing Intervention, the Sprint flavors of the Palm Pre and Pixi have dropped down to their proper price over at HP Wireless Central: Free with activation.

Of course, the deals for other carriers are still slightly better - with deals like free activation, free touchstones, or a $30 credit tossed in. Yes, Sprint themselves are still selling the Pre for $149.99 after 2 year contract and a $100 mail-in rebate and the Pixi at $49.99 on the same terms.

Still, nice to see a little sanity come to these prices in their home base.

Source: HP Wireless Central; Thanks to everybody who sent this in!

 Ok, we're totally not taking credit for this one - but a matter of days after we held a Sprint Palm Pricing Intervention, the Sprint flavors of the Palm Pre and Pixi have dropped down to their proper price over at HP Wireless Central: Free with activation.

Of course, the deals for other carriers are still slightly better - with deals like free activation, free touchstones, or a $30 credit tossed in. Yes, Sprint themselves are still selling the Pre for $149.99 after 2 year contract and a $100 mail-in rebate and the Pixi at $49.99 on the same terms.

Still, nice to see a little sanity come to these prices in their home base.

Source: HP Wireless Central; Thanks to everybody who sent this in!

Set your clocks, kiddies, because tonight at 8 PM is when it all goes down. That's right, PalmCast Live is back after last week's fun with HP's Rahul Sood, and this week we've got some big news to discuss: webOS 2.0. It's not out for your phone just yet, but we still learned plenty of newness about it today, and we want to talk about it, darnit!

Even with all this news, we've still got emails to respond to with our voices (it's amazing how it works, really) and we do that thing where we answer your Twitter queries that you tagged with the #palmcast hashtag. And maybe some other stuff, you never know. It is live, after all!

So join us tonight at 8 PM Eastern time for all the Palm talk you can handle.

Set your clocks, kiddies, because tonight at 8 PM is when it all goes down. That's right, PalmCast Live is back after last week's fun with HP's Rahul Sood, and this week we've got some big news to discuss: webOS 2.0. It's not out for your phone just yet, but we still learned plenty of newness about it today, and we want to talk about it, darnit!

Even with all this news, we've still got emails to respond to with our voices (it's amazing how it works, really) and we do that thing where we answer your Twitter queries that you tagged with the #palmcast hashtag. And maybe some other stuff, you never know. It is live, after all!

So join us tonight at 8 PM Eastern time for all the Palm talk you can handle.

webOS 2.0 is due out later this year and Palm has dropped some serious details about what's coming in the new OS to us. In addition to lots of goodness for developers in the form of new APIs and a SDK Beta download available today, we have the details on some user-facing features. Here's the short version:

• Palm's multitasking 'card' metaphor is getting a refresh with Stacks
• Universal Search is getting majorly beefed up with 'Quick Actions,' will be opened to developers, and rebranded as Just Type
• Apps can have custom Touchstone at-a-glance views with Exhibition
• Synergy is opening up to developers
• HTML5 and Javascript support is much improved
• Hybrid PDK/SDK apps will be fully supported

Palm's announcements today are primarily directed toward developers, so much of what you're going to see is about frameworks and not features - the killer user-facing features will come from webOS developers and (hopefully) from Palm themselves in future announcements. There's still plenty to dig into with the above features, though, so join us after the break as we get a peek into what Palm has planned for webOS 2.0.

read more

webOS 2.0 is due out later this year and Palm has dropped some serious details about what's coming in the new OS to us. In addition to lots of goodness for developers in the form of new APIs and a SDK Beta download available today, we have the details on some user-facing features. Here's the short version:

• Palm's multitasking 'card' metaphor is getting a refresh with Stacks
• Universal Search is getting majorly beefed up with 'Quick Actions,' will be opened to developers, and rebranded as Just Type
• Apps can have custom Touchstone at-a-glance views with Exhibition
• Synergy is opening up to developers
• HTML5 and Javascript support is much improved
• Hybrid PDK/SDK apps will be fully supported

Palm's announcements today are primarily directed toward developers, so much of what you're going to see is about frameworks and not features - the killer user-facing features will come from webOS developers and (hopefully) from Palm themselves in future announcements. There's still plenty to dig into with the above features, though, so join us after the break as we get a peek into what Palm has planned for webOS 2.0.

read more

OnlyGeek
Palm unveils webOS 2.0, SDK available to developers
Apple Insider
Expanding the cards concept from the first version of webOS, found on the Palm Pre, the new feature will group related cards in stacks, reducing clutter. ...
Palm Releases WebOS 2 DetailsPC World
Palm's webOS 2.0 SDK Heading to Some Developers TodaySlashGear (blog)
Palm give sneak peak to webOS 2.0OnlyGeek

all 15 news articles »

According to the internal screenshot pictured above originating from deep within the bowels of Verizon, it's looking like Big Red is looking to bring more advanced devices, such as 3G smartphones like the Palm Pre and Pixi and even the Motorola Droid, into the prepaid fold.  There's no word on what these devices would be priced at, but a $45 monthly voice plan and $30 unlimited data add-on could make this a very attractive option indeed, so long as handset pricing isn't exorbitant.

So does this put a damper on those rumors that the Palm Pre Plus would be end-of-life'd on on October 21st?

Via: Engadget; Source: Android Does; Thanks to everybody who sent this in!

According to the internal screenshot pictured above originating from deep within the bowels of Verizon, it's looking like Big Red is looking to bring more advanced devices, such as 3G smartphones like the Palm Pre and Pixi and even the Motorola Droid, into the prepaid fold.  There's no word on what these devices would be priced at, but a $45 monthly voice plan and $30 unlimited data add-on could make this a very attractive option indeed, so long as handset pricing isn't exorbitant.

So does this put a damper on those rumors that the Palm Pre Plus would be end-of-life'd on on October 21st?

Via: Engadget; Source: Android Does; Thanks to everybody who sent this in!