palm webos

As we saw hinted earlier this month, Palm is bringing a ‘dock mode’ of sorts with webOS 2.0, and it’s not a dock mode like you might expect. Exhibition is a Touchstone-triggered app extension that displays at-a-glance information of your choosing while your phone charges. It’s pretty straightforward: you set the phone on the Touchstone charger, and Exhibition view is launch and your at-a-glance info is displayed.

What makes Exhibition interesting is that developers can build their own modules, and bake them into their apps. A few off-the-top-of-our-heads example: Calendar could display the day’s appointments (agenda view!), your to-do list could be pulled from Tasks, your Facebook photos could be shown in a slideshow, Top Stocks could display the current state of the stock market, or you could have a simple analog clock. Like the other enhancements coming in webOS 2.0, the possibilities for Exhibition are wide open, and while Palm is creating a handful of Exhibition modules, they want to leave it open to developers to truly exploit its potential.

There’s one caveat to Exhibition, and it’s one that has us somewhat disappointed. As of right now, Exhibition only supports one block at a time. This, of course, opens the doors for developers to build the be-all end-all Exhibition app that combines as much information as possible into one at-a-glance Touchstone block. Our hope is that Palm figures out how to have multiple Exhibition modules displayed at a time, either by having smaller/multiple-sized blocks (ala Android widgets), via a gesture-based cards-like row of modules, or some other Palm-brewed magic. Speaking of brewing, we reckon it’ll only be a matter of time before the webOS homebrew community patches things up so that Exhibition can be displayed when charging via cable as well.

Even with that bit of disappointment, we’re still pretty stoked for Exhibition. It’s one thing to rejuice your phone inductively via a fancy pants charger, it’s another for that charger to change the way you use your phone.

As we saw hinted earlier this month, Palm is bringing a ‘dock mode’ of sorts with webOS 2.0, and it’s not a dock mode like you might expect. Exhibition is a Touchstone-triggered app extension that displays at-a-glance information of your choosing while your phone charges. It’s pretty straightforward: you set the phone on the Touchstone charger, and Exhibition view is launch and your at-a-glance info is displayed.

What makes Exhibition interesting is that developers can build their own modules, and bake them into their apps. A few off-the-top-of-our-heads example: Calendar could display the day’s appointments (agenda view!), your to-do list could be pulled from Tasks, your Facebook photos could be shown in a slideshow, Top Stocks could display the current state of the stock market, or you could have a simple analog clock. Like the other enhancements coming in webOS 2.0, the possibilities for Exhibition are wide open, and while Palm is creating a handful of Exhibition modules, they want to leave it open to developers to truly exploit its potential.

There’s one caveat to Exhibition, and it’s one that has us somewhat disappointed. As of right now, Exhibition only supports one block at a time. This, of course, opens the doors for developers to build the be-all end-all Exhibition app that combines as much information as possible into one at-a-glance Touchstone block. Our hope is that Palm figures out how to have multiple Exhibition modules displayed at a time, either by having smaller/multiple-sized blocks (ala Android widgets), via a gesture-based cards-like row of modules, or some other Palm-brewed magic. Speaking of brewing, we reckon it’ll only be a matter of time before the webOS homebrew community patches things up so that Exhibition can be displayed when charging via cable as well.

Even with that bit of disappointment, we’re still pretty stoked for Exhibition. It’s one thing to rejuice your phone inductively via a fancy pants charger, it’s another for that charger to change the way you use your phone.

If you’re anything approaching a power user of webOS, then you know the frustration that can arise from having several cards open while managing multiple tasks. While that is the very definition of multitasking, having all of your apps laid out in a line isn’t exactly the easiest way of getting said multiple tasks accomplished. Thankfully, webOS 2.0 is coming to the rescue by making it possible to organize cards into Stacks.

There are two ways to perform this organization. The first is the one that we think we’re going to like: Stacks will logically group your cards based on how they’re launched. It works like this: You fire up Email, open a message, and tap a link in it. That launches the web browser, and that card will be stacked with the originating Email card. You head back to Email, tap the reply button, and the compose card is also grouped with the original Email card and the web browser card.

There are dozens of scenarios we could name (RSS-opened links, product comparison in multiple web browser cards, etc) that the automatic flavor of Stacks would enhance, but we’ll leave it up to your imagination - and the comments - for further elaboration.

The second part of Stacks is manual management. If you’re not happy how Stacks is grouping things, want to create your own stack, or feel like splitting off a card and starting a new Stack for a different task, you’re more than allowed to do so. Just like the webOS cards metaphor right now lets your grab onto a card and move it to somewhere else in the line of running apps, Stacks will permit you to grab cards and pull them out of, group them into, and add them to existing Stacks with relative ease.

If you’re anything approaching a power user of webOS, then you know the frustration that can arise from having several cards open while managing multiple tasks. While that is the very definition of multitasking, having all of your apps laid out in a line isn’t exactly the easiest way of getting said multiple tasks accomplished. Thankfully, webOS 2.0 is coming to the rescue by making it possible to organize cards into Stacks.

There are two ways to perform this organization. The first is the one that we think we’re going to like: Stacks will logically group your cards based on how they’re launched. It works like this: You fire up Email, open a message, and tap a link in it. That launches the web browser, and that card will be stacked with the originating Email card. You head back to Email, tap the reply button, and the compose card is also grouped with the original Email card and the web browser card.

There are dozens of scenarios we could name (RSS-opened links, product comparison in multiple web browser cards, etc) that the automatic flavor of Stacks would enhance, but we’ll leave it up to your imagination - and the comments - for further elaboration.

The second part of Stacks is manual management. If you’re not happy how Stacks is grouping things, want to create your own stack, or feel like splitting off a card and starting a new Stack for a different task, you’re more than allowed to do so. Just like the webOS cards metaphor right now lets your grab onto a card and move it to somewhere else in the line of running apps, Stacks will permit you to grab cards and pull them out of, group them into, and add them to existing Stacks with relative ease.

Maybe you've heard that Palm webOS 2.0 is coming. Many of the details are still under wraps, but webOS developers participating in Palm’s early access program are getting a preview of the next version of our platform. A beta version of Palm webOS 2.0, the most significant update since its inception in 2009, was released to developers today. For more information, see the Palm Developer Center.

Jon Zilber

Belated BlackBerry Torch review
Washington Post
Although its Web browser runs on the same open-source WebKit framework as the software in the iPhone, Android and Palm's Pre and Pixi, it failed to display ...

and more »

 

Palm has released the webOS 2.0 Beta SDK to developers - go grab it at Palm's Developer Center (developers will need to sign up for the early access program). The SDK is emulator-only for now, but developers can use it to get a glimpse as some of the many features coming in webOS 2.0 - see our full breakdown.

The Beta SDK will give Early Access developers their first look at the new features available to them, including Stacks, improved Synergy support, Just Type & Quick Actions, Hybrid PDK/SDK apps, improved Javascript support, Mojo Core, improved HTML5, and more. Palm's Touchstone-based Exhibition feature isn't present in this release, but should be available soon. 

Developers interested in getting their hands on the webOS 2.0 SDK should send an email to pdc@palm.com to join the Early Access Program. To be eligible, you need to be both a registered developer and have an app in the Palm App Catalog. If you're already registered with the Early Access Program, all you need do is log in and get to it.

Palm says they're committed to opening up webOS with 2.0 and extending what's already great about it. Developers - how's it look to you?

Source: Palm Developer Center

 

Palm has released the webOS 2.0 Beta SDK to developers - go grab it at Palm's Developer Center (developers will need to sign up for the early access program). The SDK is emulator-only for now, but developers can use it to get a glimpse as some of the many features coming in webOS 2.0 - see our full breakdown.

The Beta SDK will give Early Access developers their first look at the new features available to them, including Stacks, improved Synergy support, Just Type & Quick Actions, Hybrid PDK/SDK apps, improved Javascript support, Mojo Core, improved HTML5, and more. Palm's Touchstone-based Exhibition feature isn't present in this release, but should be available soon. 

Developers interested in getting their hands on the webOS 2.0 SDK should send an email to pdc@palm.com to join the Early Access Program. To be eligible, you need to be both a registered developer and have an app in the Palm App Catalog. If you're already registered with the Early Access Program, all you need do is log in and get to it.

Palm says they're committed to opening up webOS with 2.0 and extending what's already great about it. Developers - how's it look to you?

Source: Palm Developer Center

MobileSyrup.com
Facebook for Palm webOS 1.3 is now available
MobileSyrup.com
By Kate O'Brien on August 31, 2010 in Mobile News For the select number of Canadians that have a Palm Pre you'll be thrilled to know there has been some ...

Introduction: Do you have what it takes to survive an alien invasion? Defend your redneck farmhouse from waves of outer-space invaders in this new spin on the classic tower defense strategy genre. Kill enemies, earn money, buy upgrades, and repeat! Get out the Potato Gun, Lawnmower Blade Launcher, or those old bottles of Mayonnaise. You will have to use everything at your disposal: tornadoes, farts, shotguns, AK-47's, mine traps (and much more). Yeehaw! Features: - 8 Gun Types - 7 Upgradeable Home Improvements - 7 Alien Enemy Types - 3 Special Power-Ups Guns: - Potato Gun - Lawnmower Blade Launcher - Flaming Tennis Racquet - 12-Gauge Shotgun - .357 Magnum - AK-47 - .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle - Mayonnaise Bombs You are humanity's last hope. The aliens think they caught you by surprise, but they have no idea who they are messing with. Get 'er Done!

Introduction: Do you have what it takes to survive an alien invasion? Defend your redneck farmhouse from waves of outer-space invaders in this new spin on the classic tower defense strategy genre. Kill enemies, earn money, buy upgrades, and repeat! Get out the Potato Gun, Lawnmower Blade Launcher, or those old bottles of Mayonnaise. You will have to use everything at your disposal: tornadoes, farts, shotguns, AK-47's, mine traps (and much more). Yeehaw! Features: - 8 Gun Types - 7 Upgradeable Home Improvements - 7 Alien Enemy Types - 3 Special Power-Ups Guns: - Potato Gun - Lawnmower Blade Launcher - Flaming Tennis Racquet - 12-Gauge Shotgun - .357 Magnum - AK-47 - .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle - Mayonnaise Bombs You are humanity's last hope. The aliens think they caught you by surprise, but they have no idea who they are messing with. Get 'er Done!

At the top of the facebook app, you will see a blue bar that will provide you access to the almost every areas of the app. Let's take a look at this top bar in more detail

• Tapping the globe icon on the left of the bar will bring up your most recent Facebook Notifications, which are all clickable to bring you to the person or activity listed. If there is a number of the top-right of the globe, that represents the number of new notifications you have, which will all be listed in bold. You can also click on the "See All Notifications" button to list all your notifications, not just your most recent ones. Clicking on this button also serves a dual purpose of resetting the count of "new" notifications
• The center section of the bar, with the "Facebook" text", serves two purposes. If you are anywhere other than your News Feed, tapping this center area will bring you right back to the News Feed. Once in the feed, tapping this center area will quickly scroll to the top of the feed, and tapping it a second time will bring you to the bottom of the feed. 
• The icon of 6 boxes on the right will bring up a sub-menu that gives you access to the 6 main sections of the app, with your current section colored in blue.  Stay tuned tomorrow as we walk through each of those sections of the app.

Note: All details are based on the Facebook app version 1.3 or Facebook Beta app version 1.3.1

At the top of the facebook app, you will see a blue bar that will provide you access to the almost every areas of the app. Let's take a look at this top bar in more detail

• Tapping the globe icon on the left of the bar will bring up your most recent Facebook Notifications, which are all clickable to bring you to the person or activity listed. If there is a number of the top-right of the globe, that represents the number of new notifications you have, which will all be listed in bold. You can also click on the "See All Notifications" button to list all your notifications, not just your most recent ones. Clicking on this button also serves a dual purpose of resetting the count of "new" notifications
• The center section of the bar, with the "Facebook" text", serves two purposes. If you are anywhere other than your News Feed, tapping this center area will bring you right back to the News Feed. Once in the feed, tapping this center area will quickly scroll to the top of the feed, and tapping it a second time will bring you to the bottom of the feed. 
• The icon of 6 boxes on the right will bring up a sub-menu that gives you access to the 6 main sections of the app, with your current section colored in blue.  Stay tuned tomorrow as we walk through each of those sections of the app.

Note: All details are based on the Facebook app version 1.3 or Facebook Beta app version 1.3.1

IntoMobile (blog)
HP hires former HTC exec, now overseeing Palm sales
FierceWireless
Earlier this month Peter Skillman, who oversaw the design of the original Palm Pre, left HP. Skillman's departure followed those of Michael Abbott, ...
HP Hires Former HTC Executive To Help With Palm AcquisitionMocoNews
Todd Achilles, former HTC Executive, now handling Palm's sales force at HPIntoMobile (blog)

all 3 news articles »

Who wants apps? Yes you do, don’t lie. Good thing we’ve got new apps for you.

• Miriel the Magical Merchant brings your into a magical world where you play Miriel, a general store proprietor looking to expand to a kingdom-wide empire.
• One Tap Launcher is ridiculously simple in execution and concept: select the apps you want, and launch them with one tap time and time again.
• Rednecks Vs. Aliens is all about goofy fun tower defense, your goal is to defend your farmhouse from invading aliens. With potato guns. And mayonaisse.

That would be the highlights. Clearly, that’s left you wanting more. Good thing we’ve got more - just head on past the break to check it out.

read more

Who wants apps? Yes you do, don’t lie. Good thing we’ve got new apps for you.

• Miriel the Magical Merchant brings your into a magical world where you play Miriel, a general store proprietor looking to expand to a kingdom-wide empire.
• One Tap Launcher is ridiculously simple in execution and concept: select the apps you want, and launch them with one tap time and time again.
• Rednecks Vs. Aliens is all about goofy fun tower defense, your goal is to defend your farmhouse from invading aliens. With potato guns. And mayonaisse.

That would be the highlights. Clearly, that’s left you wanting more. Good thing we’ve got more - just head on past the break to check it out.

read more

Mobiletor.com
Facebook for Palm webOS updated
Mobile Burn
Palm has announced an update to its Facebook application for webOS device users, which include the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus. ...
Palm Pre Plus smartphonePC World Magazine
webOS 1.4.5 lands for Verizon Pixi Plus; Verizon Pre Plus & AT&T users standing byPreCentral.net (blog)
Palms Pre gets over clocked to 1GHzWirelessGround.com Blog (blog)

all 4 news articles »

We heard two things from you after we launched Facebook for Palm webOS 1.1 back in March: You really liked the new features, and you wanted more. Since then, there's been a great dialog - everything from your latest feature wishlists and bug reports, to explanations of some of the gnarly techie details our developers have faced - on our Facebook page dedicated to the app.

For the more adventurous among you, we maintain a beta version of the webOS Facebook app, as well as the “official” release and we love the feedback we get on the beta version. For example, version 1.2.30 of the beta app was the first version to support selectable feeds. Within an hour of its release, Kris Venden told us that he'd like the app to remember his most recently selected feed between launches. Our team agreed, implemented that feature later that day, and released the updated 1.2.32 version a couple of days later.

Today, Facebook for Palm webOS 1.3 is available. The new official release includes dozens of new features and enhancements, many of which were prompted or refined by all of you. Highlights include selectable feeds, comments in the feed, photo tagging, landscape mode, clearing multiple notifications at once, and lots of performance enhancements. Want more details? Click here. (Or better yet, click here to download or update the app right now!)

Special thanks to the Palm webOS community for making ours the highest-rated Facebook app on any smartphone. We couldn't have done it without you!



Justin Ried

 

Well isn't this serendipitous? Just as we started a week's worth of Facebook for webOS Tips, Palm has dropped an update to the FaceBook for webOS Beta, updating it to 1.3.1. As RanGT notes in our forums, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of newness here, but Palm does write that there are "some bugfixes and performance improvements" to be had. We are detecting increased snappiness all around.

If you haven't upgraded from the regular version of FaceBook to the Beta, we suggest you join us in the future - our own Adam Marks tells you how here.

Source: Facebook Beta for webOS; Thanks, RanGT!

Update: Looks like the official, App Catalog version of Facebook is up to 1.3 now, bringing landscape viewing, filtered news feeds, and more to the masses. If the Beta version scares you (it shouldn't, but we don't judge), snap it up. Thanks foggylemon!

 

Well isn't this serendipitous? Just as we started a week's worth of Facebook for webOS Tips, Palm has dropped an update to the FaceBook for webOS Beta, updating it to 1.3.1. As RanGT notes in our forums, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of newness here, but Palm does write that there are "some bugfixes and performance improvements" to be had. We are detecting increased snappiness all around.

If you haven't upgraded from the regular version of FaceBook to the Beta, we suggest you join us in the future - our own Adam Marks tells you how here.

Source: Facebook Beta for webOS; Thanks, RanGT!

Update: Looks like the official, App Catalog version of Facebook is up to 1.3 now, bringing landscape viewing, filtered news feeds, and more to the masses. If the Beta version scares you (it shouldn't, but we don't judge), snap it up. Thanks foggylemon!