Paid apps to finally go international by end of March? 81

good for them. but if you know how to use the web you can have every 3d game for free already. i guess pre owner are more honest then most

Im in Spain, also received today that email, but in Spanish. And yes, since the same day -as far as I remember- that we received the webOS 1.4 update we got those three EA games for free.

But regarding the Facebook application: I already have the updated Facebook application. I were able to download it straigthaway the very same day you posted the application was updated. I didnt even know there were international people without access to that update, it might be that I had already downloaded the first version and this showed as an update.

And btw the updated Facebook application is also completely translated to Spanish.

Can't wait there might finally be a London tube app available

I hope the paid apps come, as I need the im+ app and also the facebook chat app. I would also love a decent twitter app

on terms and conditions it does not say limited to only UK or anything..

read here:
"This promotion provides the opportunity to download for free 3 separate EA Mobile 3D Games: Need for Speed Undercover, The Sims 3 and Monopoly onto the Palm Pre handset. The offer is available to all users (existing and new) of the Palm Pre between 26th February and 31st March 2010 inclusive. To redeem this offer, simply open up your Apps catalogue on a Palm Pre handset. Search for the individual game name(s), select the correct game and tap 'download for free'. Wait for the game to download and then either click 'tap to launch' or exit the Apps catalogue and enjoy playing later. It is strongly recommended that users connect to a Wi-Fi network to enable downloading. If not, mobile internet browsing charges will apply if users are not on a suitable data plan. "


let me highlight "The offer is available to all users (existing and new) of the Palm Pre between 26th February and 31st March 2010 inclusive"

so palm, be true to your own statement on terms and conditions!


granted its on the palm.com/uk... but it still should be available to "all users (existing and new) of the Palm Pre" like it states..

This almost gives me reason to be excited for my Pre again, the only missing thing is when clicking on NfS, Monopoly or Sims, it all says not avaible in my country.. This includes using the free link or not. If we could just get that working and the app store, than I would have less of a reason to switch to an iPhone when my contract is up in August.

Wow!! Absolutely fantastic for everyone BUT Canadians. VAT is a UK tax, and has nothing to do with Canada....which has a tax called GST. On top of that we don't even have the free offerings from EA in the very crummy 'beta' catalogue. And here again we have zero communications from Palm regarding the Paid App Catalogue. Really now Palm.....get your act together and do something about this.....even if nothing else release an official statement telling us WHY we don't have the app catalogue and if we are even going to get it before entropy shuts down the universe.

A very, very, very annoyed customer. I cannot, nor at this point ever, recommend a Palm product to anyone.

I got the email from Palm too but maybe I'm being as thick as a plank here but I'm UK GSM Pre user and I already have the new and improved Facebook app. I downloaded it just after it became available last week through the AppCatalog.

Anyone clarify?

Andrew

The facebook app is available since it appeared on here, so i don't get this rumors about it going international.
However, free games u cited are only available to Spain, Germany and UK apparently, so also that i wouldn't really call the webos users outside US, cause we all now there are many also in non offical countries.
But i agree we'll see what come for all pre users worldwide when the app catalog will be open also for paid apps. then we'll get an idea of how internationalised it will be.

This is fantastic news! It'll finally give UK users (like me) the ability to support the Palm ecosystem. Anyone know if this also means that the Amazon store will be coming to non-US phones ?

I'm in Portugal and I can download the new Facebook app from the app catalog. Not everybody can?

I forgot to add incase you don't know the number to Bell it's 3102355 and ask for technical solutions and say you have a complain about you product.

so, when you say "all countries" do you mean all countries that the pre is sold in? Or ALL countries, as in it doesn't matter where you live?

Well, here is a transcript of my chat with Palm support from yesterday, March 7, 2010. As far as the paid apps go, if you call Bell they tell you it has nothing to do with them, and you should call Palm. When you talk to Palm they say it has nothing to do with them, it is the developers. You can't call the developers. Neat little arrangement.

NOBODY WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

9:35 AM Connecting to Rescue Gateway: control.app01-12.logmeinrescue.com...
9:35 AM Connected to Rescue Gateway. A support representative will be with you shortly.
9:36 AM Support session established with Kent.

9:36 AM Kent: Thank you for contacting Palm Technical Support. My name is Kent, How can I help you today?
9:36 AM Kent: Please let me go through the information you have provided.
9:36 AM MTH: When are Bell customers going to have access to the full app catalog?
9:37 AM Kent: I understand that you want to know when will Bell customers have full access to App Catalog.
9:37 AM MTH: Yes
9:37 AM Kent: Let me explain it to you.
9:39 AM Kent: The applications are available in App Catalog or not developed by Palm and access to the application through App Catalog will be through Developers who develop the application and they will filter the application in a way that it can be accessed in specific region or only through specific carrier.
9:39 AM Kent: It has to be through the developers of that programs which are available in App Catalog.
9:42 AM MTH: I don't think that is correct. All the forums indicate that Palm is unable to provide worldwide access for various technical and financial reasons. I have been a Palm user since 2001. I have been listening to "coming soon" about the app catalog since October. Quite frankly, it is no wonder you can't sell the devices in Canada - no support from the carrier, no support from Palm. Again - my question is, on what date will we have access to the full catalog. At present we have NO access to any paid apps. Can't sell devices people can't fully use!
9:44 AM Kent: I am afraid that this is something which has to be decided from the developers side.
9:45 AM Kent: I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused to you.
9:46 AM MTH: Funny, Bell says it is Palm, Palm says it is the developers, somebody needs to step up to the plate and make it happen. The message just doesn't seem to get through to Palm. Canadian (and I am sure European) customers fell very unsupported. Can you tell me what, if anything is being done to address this, or can you find someone who can?
9:48 AM Kent: I will transfer you to my supervisor.
9:48 AM Kent: Give me a minute.
9:48 AM MTH: Thank you

9:48 AM Transferring session to another technician...
9:48 AM Support session established with Scott.

9:50 AM Scott: Hello.
9:50 AM MTH: Hello Scott
9:51 AM Scott: I understand your concern regarding the Applications for your Palm Pre.
9:52 AM Scott: As Kent explained that the Developer will decide which application to show for which carrier.
9:53 AM Scott: The software developers will design them and filter them.
9:53 AM Scott: And we will keep you posted about the updates on our website.
9:54 AM MTH: Yes, understanding concern is one thing, somebody doing something about is seems to be an entirely different problem. Can you tell me if, when, how this will be addressed. I addition, you can't tell me that the developers of all paid apps have decided that their products are not for use with Bell. Theiur "Lite" versions with limitations and expiry dates are available, but when you click on the link to purchase "not available in your country". Say what you want but this is a Palm problem.
9:55 AM Scott: I am sorry for the confusion, the developer will design this rules, but not Palm.
9:56 AM Scott: You will have the application in near future.
9:56 AM Scott: But we do not have information on when.
9:57 AM MTH: Sorry, I don't buy it and neither do other customers. Hope the message gets upstairs to Jon Rubinstein - support canada or you are lost in this country. I am told that most Bell dealers won't even stock the device now. Too bad - best device, worst support, everyone says someone else is responsible. Hope the message gets through before your country's Chapter 11 sets in.
9:58 AM MTH: Just so you know, I am going to pots a transcript on the Palm forums and the forums at precentral.
9:58 AM Scott: There are some posting already on this.
9:58 AM Scott: Visit: http:// link edited out
9:59 AM Scott: We are aware of all this, we cannot comment on the unreleased and upcoming updates as per the policy.
9:59 AM Scott: Thank you for your understanding in this regard.
10:00 AM MTH: I am sorry, I ran out of understanding several months ago.
10:02 AM Scott: I can understand your frustration in this regard.
10:02 AM Scott: But there will be apps for bell and we don't have information on when.
10:03 AM MTH: Great - then Palm should do something. All the understanding in the world won't rescue you - you need to make it happen.
10:04 AM Scott: We will do our best as much the things are in our hand.
10:04 AM Scott: hands*
10:04 AM Scott: Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
10:05 AM MTH: That is all, thank you.
10:05 AM Scott: Thank you for using Palm Technical Support. Click on "X" button on this chat window and fill in our customer survey and tell us how helpful this support has been. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
10:05 AM Scott: The session id of this chat is 52140321

10:06 AM Scott has ended the session.

In fact, I would suggest that Bell customers contact Palm support via the chat feature under support options on the Palm website, raise this issue, and cut and paste the responses to the forums. Do it every day until something happens. I bet the story will change with each transcript, probably because they are all making it up as they go along. A few hundred transcripts should prove interesting.

Erm, we "international" users already have the updated Facebook app since before it was even announced here. Or at least those of us in the UK did. Can't speak for the rest of the world I guess considering how Canadians are getting it from the 'rear' all the time. Poor guys.

Bennish, too true. Well said. I do feel for you Aussies. I know Palm is a small company, and if they could be selling tons of phones in every country in the world, they'd love to. And I know that once the app store is open then I'll have nothing to complain about.

At the same time, I have a sneaking suspicion that Bell is to blame. And I'm jealous of Europe. I admit it.

BTW is Canada in the same world as everyone else?
because we are always getting screw by Palm

Thank you dscott23 for singing! I've tried posting the link in the forums but I need 10 posts to add a link. If there's anyone who's able to add links in the forums, I'd really appreciate it if you can post this link! And PLEASE PLEASE post the link every where you can.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bellpre/

Thanks in advance!

Palm support chat from March 9, 2010, about paid apps for Canada:

8:49 AM Connecting to Rescue Gateway: control.app06.logmeinrescue.com...
8:49 AM Connected to Rescue Gateway. A support representative will be with you shortly.
8:51 AM Support session established with Calvin.

8:51 AM Calvin: Thank you for contacting Palm. My name is Calvin.
8:51 AM MTH: Hello Calvin, could you please tell me when I will havew acces to paid apps.
8:51 AM Calvin: I understand that you want to know the information about paid applications in Canada pre devices.Am I correct?
8:52 AM MTH: Yes
8:53 AM Calvin: Thank you for the confirmation.
8:55 AM Calvin: To be frank with you, we are not sure about the exact date when the paid applications available of the Canada devices.
8:55 AM Calvin: As of now we do not have an access to use the paid applications on Pre device.
8:57 AM Calvin: If there are any updates regarding this, Palm will post the details in Palm official website.
8:58 AM MTH: That is a big problem for me. I have been a Palm user since 2001. I have been told "coming soon" since October. I was locked into a 3 year contract by Bell. The device does not have adequate built in functions for things like calculators, speed dialers, etc. I was fortunate enough to get some early development versions of applications via the homebrew community, but when these moved to the paid app catalog they became unavailable. Now I feel very unsupported by the manufacturer and the carrier. Could you find someone who can tell me when this will happen?
9:00 AM Calvin: It is quite unfortunate that one of our best customer has had a hard time.
9:02 AM Calvin: As we can access the paid applications on pre devices with the carrier Sprint, Verizon in US, I hope the issue may be with the carrier.
9:03 AM Calvin: Have you ever contacted the carrier regarding this issue?
9:04 AM MTH: Yes, but I am not the only one. A lot of disappointed Palm loyalists out there. Great device. You sell them with the understanding that many, many add on applications are available, but you won;t make them available to all customers. Apple didn't sell ipods as a device that people could think about playing music on. They sold devices that could access content. I have a pile of old motorolas if all I want to do is make phone calls. If you want to sell phones you better make the content available. If CEO Jon doesn't understand this, Palm (and all your jobs) are headed for your country's Chapter 11. No one seems to want to take responsibility here and make it happen. Is there anyone at Palm who can tell me more?
9:05 AM MTH: No, the issue is not the carrier. Bell says it is Palm, your colleagues in previous contacts say it isn't Palm, it is the Palm developers - no-one is interested. Typical big corporation double talk - "not me, not me". The sort of thing my kids say to me.
9:10 AM Calvin: I am sorry for the delaying.
9:11 AM MTH: I know, you are instructed to say "sorry, I apoligize, etc". Maybe you can tell me does any of this get passed on, and is there anyone else I can talk to - 2 speceific questions here.
9:12 AM Calvin: Palm is already aware of this issue, unable to access the paid applications for Bell mobility in Canada.
9:12 AM Calvin: AS this is a region specific, that paid applications cannot access in Canada.
9:16 AM Calvin: In this situation, I can do one thing from our end.
9:16 AM Calvin: I will provide a web link to post your feed back and you can request for features and applications.

9:17 AM Calvin has sent a link: http://www.palm.com/us/company/feedback.html

9:17 AM Calvin: http://www.palm.com/us/company/feedback.html
9:18 AM MTH: Thank you for the link. I will be posting a transcript of our chat on the Palm forums and the Precentral forums.
9:19 AM Calvin: Please give me a moment.
9:19 AM Calvin: Let me transfer you to the supervisor.

9:20 AM Transferring session to another technician...
9:20 AM Support session established with Scott.

9:21 AM Scott: Hello, please give me a moment while I go through the previous chat session.
9:21 AM MTH: Hello Scott - are you the same Scott from Sunday?
9:22 AM Scott: Yes, I am the same.
9:23 AM MTH: Great, any more information for a longtime Palm user?
9:24 AM Scott: There is no development and news in this two days.
9:24 AM Scott: It is same as earlier.
9:25 AM Scott: We will post the information on our website when there are Paid applications for your Palm Pre.
9:26 AM Scott: As informed earlier, we cannot comment on the upcoming and unreleased products.
9:26 AM Scott: Please understand.
9:26 AM Scott: This is region specific as well the Filters.
9:26 AM Scott: Palm is aware of this and working on it.
9:26 AM Scott: But we do not have any estimate time of information on this regard.
9:28 AM Scott: Thank you for your understanding in this regard.
9:28 AM MTH: Very disappointing. Again, no apparent interest, and noone to say "I am responsible". Too bad. I will call bell and try to get out of the contract as you and the carrier cannot seem to support your Canadian customers. Again, you can talk about "developers", "carriers", "region specific" all you want, but in the end it is a Palm problem - if you can't sell the phones you are out of business. But I guess that is Palm and the investors problem, not the customers' problem.
9:31 AM Scott: I can understand your situation, but as of now, there are no paid applications for the Palm Pre Bell.
9:31 AM MTH: Thanks for your time. Now over to the forums to post this.

schofs99: I disagree. These transcript posts are done out of frustration over the non-availability of paid apps....is this really so important? Sometimes I feel like I am here in the kindergarten, you know.
Instead of being laid back and enjoying the phone or life in general, people take every little "flaw" or missing piece to stirr it up.

Why not call Mr. Rubinstein on this? If you are with certain carriers you are doomed. 3 year contract, yeah right. Why would you do that? If you are really such a fan of Palm and the work, get your phone unlocked somewhere on ebay and do the rest by yourself.

Many many homebrew apps are available for free...and if they mature and become paid apps, good for the dev who spent his time developing and testing. It is a business in the end.

Palm stated March for the paid application catalog outside the USA. So far the delivered what they promised and of course there is more being wished for.

9 months of webOS and some people are so impatient and use this forum/blog to let everybody know about it.

Besides I am not sure if the posting of a transcript breaches any law regarding privacy. Let alone posting names.

Cheers

+1 Juize it IS like Kindergarden

It is true that the most important thing for selling a smartphone is having an interesting app store.

But in whole past it was always the same that the impatient customers (and palm freaks) couldn't wait for any news. And usually near the end lots of people laughed and joked about Palm (especially before Palm unveiled the webOS).
But since January 2009 I had never - I repeat - never any situation where Palm did disappoint me.

They always held their promised deadlines and always surprised us customers with more than we expected to get.

Please keep this in mind with your impatiency.

It is my firm belief that unless you experience how crappy the Canadian Cell phone market is first-hand, you should not scoff at our terrible 3-year term system. When I pre-ordered my Pre for the Canadian launch, there was only a 3-year term option available.

For reference, I sell Bell, Telus, Rogers, Koodo, Solo, Virgin, and Fido phones where I work, and am very well versed in all of their terminology and rates.

Guys.. I have read almost all of the comments above..

I think it is hard to blame only bell (or other carriers), Palm or the developers.

Firstly, I think we need to try to understand how it works. Does anybody know? I.e. for updates, how does Palm recognise what user they are sending an update to? In my case it is easy. I bought an O2 Pre in the UK and stick with the standard contract. However, my brother bought an O2 Pre in Germany (where all phones are unlocked) and stuck in his Vofadone card. He still receives updates. (Probably at same timing as O2 users do). Or what if you buy an unlocked Pre on the net, which scheme would you be following? I pressume that Palm recognises the type of phone and links it to the operator it was first sold, but in theory it should not have anything to do with the operator. You need an internet connection and all you need to download is one file? Why is that that hard? If operators are concerned about bandwidth, Palm should give the option to download via WIFI until operators are willing to allow the download. As I final point on this matter, it would be much better for Palm to launch the updates globally at one date and not as soon as one gets ready. If sprint is ready before telcel, wait that one week until they are ready to roll out for all users. That way you do not get any dissatisfied users.

Why does it take so long time to customize an update? It is a couple of internet settings and then of course the operator specific apps. Should take 2 hours at most..

Secondly, I think there are two problems with the APP store: 1. You can only pay in the US. 2. The freedom of the app catalogue serves us well (as opposed to the iphone), but it also lets developers choose which regions to roll free apps out in. No offense to the Americans, but some believe it is the world. I guess that is why they dont see any point in clicking the last 2 boxes (dont see what else reason they may have) to making the app available in the other geographies.

Dont get me wrong. I love my Pre.. I have each of the iphones laying in a drawer at home.. No comparison to Pre (however it is better in some points).. But I believe it is mainly Palm to blame. One suggestion could be to restrict the app store in a way that an APP would have to be released to all geographies, unless there is a good reason for it not to be, i.e. Language or region specific apps. Or maybe even better. The app catalogue should filter these apps out, but if I really wanted a german version of some app, I could choose another language version in my app catalogue.

And regarding the paid apps, Palm has simply been too slow. I am not 100% aware of the busines plan and whether there is a difference between the one of Apple and Palm. Do the operators take share in apps sold or are they paid a fixed fee for each mb app downloaded or do they get nothing at all? I have a feeling that the problem is not so much payment systems and legal as it is negotiating contracts with operators.

Let me know of your thoughts..

@munky123:

I think the most important thing at all is for Palm to bring the paid app store to the rest of the world.

I am not really sure if the reason for the missing apps outside US are the view clicks. And to be honest: I am not keen on those silly useless "fun"-apps. I am talking about usefull apps or good 3D-games.

I think that it is also a question of payment - how do you pay the apps? with which vat and so on.

As far as I can remember the businessplan of Palm concerning the developers is quite good.
But here Palm (and webOS) simply needs time. It was unveiled one year ago, available 9 months ago and the SDK's were even later. Who wanted to develop apps for a smartphone and OS of which noone knew if it would hit the market?

On the CES Palm said that meanwhile 80.000 SDK's were downloaded all over the world (?) and that gives me hope. Even more the PDK-Solution for transferring apps from one platform to webOS.

But I think it is really really necessary for Palm to bring the paid apps catalog with usefull apps as soon as possible to all users.

This is the only issue in my eyes in the moment (sure and to sell the PRE to better Carriers that do a better job than Bell or O2 UK...or Verizon).

Palm needs two things: A lot of devices have to be sold and a lot of usefull (also fun) apps have to hit the app catalog.
Both have to be realised very soon.