Developer Spotlight: Bharat R. 10

Join us as we talk to developers large and small in the webOS community. This week: Bharat R. Are you a developer interested in getting spotlighted? Hit us up!

Name: Bharat R.

Company: BdotR

Location: Seattle, Washington

webOS apps: Drinking Games, Homebrew Helper, all the Jersey Shore soundboards, and a few in development that have to stay under wraps for a little while longer (one can only assume why).

Current Device: HTC Evo 4G and Sprint Palm Pre

Tell us about yourself. Really, we want to know.

Let’s see, I’m a student, I’m 20 and I love mobile platforms. I’ve been from webOS to Windows Phone 7 to Android in less than two years and don’t regret any of it! I get phone ADD a lot and get bored and end up having to switch to save my sanity, but webOS is the OS I’ve been with the longest since Oct. ‘09. I have a few hobbies, I’m a boarder, a drummer and I loooove barbeque (who doesn’t?) Also I’ve lived all over the world growing up in places like Germany, Switzerland, and a little time in India to name a few. And I’m from New Jersey!

What in your background led you to develop for webOS?

I’ve always been fascinated with technology since as far back as I can remember (if you’re reading this it most likely means you now exactly what I’m talking about). And Palm makes it so easy and intuitive to get anybody started as a developer that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Otherwise, I’m self-taught from the ground up - that might be why I’m so terrible at coding!

Why do you continue to develop for webOS?

webOS has nowhere to go but up. It can’t really go down much, so naturally it has nowhere to go but up. When Palm was withering away clutching to life before it was bought up, I heavily considered ceasing development for webOS, but I’m so glad I didn’t. What stopped me was remembering how immensely great the user community is. We share everything, and for free too! No other mobile OS can even compare to the community and greatness of webOS, and that is why I will continue to develop for webOS.

Why all the Jersey Shore soundboards?

I’m not particularly a fan, but I figured since every other mobile OS has several different developers making those apps that I would bring it to webOS because nobody had previously done so. And I wasn’t wrong when I assumed webOS users would want them; they each have over 20,000 unique downloads.

Do you develop for other platforms?

I have apps out currently in the Windows Phone marketplace other than the App Catalog, and am starting to tinker with iOS and Android.

How does that compare to webOS?

My experience with developing through Ares greatly helped me figure out how to develop for WP7. Out of all the mobile operating systems, Palm is by far the easiest to develop for with tools like Ares, and it is the simplest SDK in my opinion. I also think it’s mind blowing that HP/Palm still doesn’t charge developers any annual fee. If you haven’t already started developing for webOS, now is as good a time as any to start. Just go to developer.palm.com and everything you need is right there!

What’s your take on the current state of webOS development?

Honestly, everyone will tell you that webOS doesn’t have the content to survive. And I won’t disagree, but I do believe that it will come. Obviously Palm will say “in the coming months” and I think they have to stop using that term to stop pissing off their loyal fanbase. When the TouchPad and Pre3 hit, I don’t think it will be until at least the end of the year before we start seeing the quality apps like Netflix, a first party Twitter application etc. Individual developers love webOS and webOS loves them, it’s an OS that I think was built around individual developers and it works out best for us.

Where do you see webOS development going in the future? In particular, how do you see Enyo and devices like the TouchPad running webOS 3.0 affecting your development?

Like I said earlier, webOS development has nowhere to go but up. I think Mojo was great and all up until the first birthday of it. That’s when developers started realizing that Mojo won’t scale correctly and that it isn’t the most beautiful SDK. I think Enyo is the greatest way Palm could’ve gone with the evolution of webOS. It’s so simple, it’s really elegant and most of all it has a sense of familiarity in the sense that I believe an iOS user could pick up a webOS device and just know how to use it instantly because it bridges the gap between the OS’. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, I think it’s great - iOS has a ton of great features and I’m glad Palm is finally picking up others’ strengths (instead of the other way around!).

Given the chance what’s the one thing you would change about the webOS development process?

Honestly, I don’t think I’d change much. I think Palm has the most streamlined developer portal and there are so many great analytic tools like Metrix. The developer portal runs circles around Microsoft’s. So, I really wouldn’t change anything!

What are you working on now?

I’m re-writing all my apps in Enyo! Also I’m working on a few apps that just have to stay under lock and key due to ...well you guys know why! I’m also working on porting some my WP7 apps to webOS and look forward to having about 3 apps added “in the coming months”. And by that I mean by July 31st!

Thank you so much for your time. Any parting thoughts for the webOS community?

I love the webOS community. Who doesn’t? You guys should never change. All-in-all, I believe you guys are the single biggest reason why webOS is still alive today. Also, I think we could tone down the complaining a bit right?