Palm Responds to App Catalog Critics
Palm has announced that it will simplify its developer program for the Linux-based Web OS behind its new Palm Pre smartphone. The device maker is thereby responding to hefty criticism about its App Catalog.
That apps and applets have become the business model for the increasingly sophisticated smartphones was already well demonstrated by Apple and its iPhone-related App Store. Mobile phones equipped with Google's Android platform have adopted the same model. Even Nokia has given its smartphones in the OVI market access to free and cost-based software in its Symbian systems. That Palm is now using the same strategy with its App Catalog doesn't come as a surprise. Palm is asking $99 per year and $50 per application for the service. The revenue is then split 70/30 with the participating applications, Palm keeping 30.
It was mainly some additional restrictions to which developers objected, as described quite clearly by Jamie Zawinski in his blog. Palm prevented him as App Catalog contributor from distributing his applications (which he provided free to the catalog) on his own website. He alludes to a "hoop I would not jump through" in the Palm requirements: "You can only distribute your app via the Palm App Catalog. Do not make your app available on your website or anywhere other than the App Catalog."
Palm has now responded to appease what it considers important contributors to its market. In its announcement, it includes a "Distribution on the web" item that provides Palm developers who wish to promote their apps outside the App Catalog a special URL linked from the catalog.
Palm would take on certification and, if desired, the full service with billing and transactions. Developers could then use their own marketing resources without being fully tied to the catalog. The process might take a while, however. Palm is "officially opening the doors" to the program starting in December. Zawinski meanwhile is skeptical and released a blog update on the App Catalog "nightmare."
Issue 272/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
News
-
An All-Snap Version of Ubuntu is In The Works
Along with the standard deb version of the open-source operating system, Canonical will release an-all snap version.
-
Mageia 9 Beta 2 Ready for Testing
The latest beta of the popular Mageia distribution now includes the latest kernel and plenty of updated applications.
-
KDE Plasma 6 Looks to Bring Basic HDR Support
The KWin piece of KDE Plasma now has HDR support and color management geared for the 6.0 release.
-
Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta Ready for Testing
The latest iteration of the Bohdi Linux distribution is now available for those who want to experience what's in store and for testing purposes.
-
Changes Coming to Ubuntu PPA Usage
The way you manage Personal Package Archives will be changing with the release of Ubuntu 23.10.
-
AlmaLinux 9.2 Now Available for Download
AlmaLinux has been released and provides a free alternative to upstream Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
-
An Immutable Version of Fedora Is Under Consideration
For anyone who's a fan of using immutable versions of Linux, the Fedora team is currently considering adding a new spin called Fedora Onyx.
-
New Release of Br OS Includes ChatGPT Integration
Br OS 23.04 is now available and is geared specifically toward web content creation.
-
Command-Line Only Peropesis 2.1 Available Now
The latest iteration of Peropesis has been released with plenty of updates and introduces new software development tools.
-
TUXEDO Computers Announces InfinityBook Pro 14
With the new generation of their popular InfinityBook Pro 14, TUXEDO upgrades its ultra-mobile, powerful business laptop with some impressive specs.