Palm to open Pre app developers platform

Jake Widman
Wednesday, 07 October 2009 00:55

Your IT - Mobility

In December, Palm will open the official webOS developer program to support the creation of applications for the Pre and other upcoming smartphones. The company also launched its App Catalog of applications available for download.

The webOS developer program, according to the official Palm blog, "is designed to provide developers with flexibility to distribute and promote apps in a way that works for them."

"Our program will be unlike anything currently available," said Palm senior vice president Katie Mitic in the announcement.

"Whether you're looking for immediate distribution or just feedback on early stages of development, this program is built to scale to your needs and finally put you in control of investing in and promoting your business."

Applications, both free and paid, will be distributed through the Palm App Catalog, which can only be accessed via a webOS phone -- the Pre and, eventually, the Pixi.

Self-certified developers will be able to distribute apps over the Web as well. Developers will be charged a US$99 program fee, which will be waived for open source app developers.

In August, Palm invited developers of paid apps to submit them for consideration for inclusion in a beta version of the App Catalog. That catalog has now gone live, and selected developers may distribute both paid and free apps through it.