PSA: Get HP's free apps without using the early-adopter $50 credit 40
With HP's recent post to the official webOS (Palm) blog giving away 6 free TouchPad apps, a lot of users have been wondering how to take advantage of this giveaway without using their $50 early-adopter credit on the selections. If you've been waiting for some word on how to do just that, we've got it here.
The steps are pretty easy. Rather than using the links provided by HP for each of those apps, or doing a search for the apps directly within the Catalog on your device, you'll need to use the below URL with the specific Promo Code attached to the end in your default TouchPad browser (third-party browsers won't work). Doing so will launch the app catalog with the correct promo code in place, allowing you to download the app without using that precious (free) $50.
An Example:
- Copy the following URL and paste it into your default Web Browser (make sure it stays as "http" and does not change to "https": http://developer.palm.com/appredirect/?promocode=
- Copy the promo code from the list on the Palm Blog and paste it to the end of what you've already put into the address bar.
- When you've got it all set, you should see a URL like this that will open the catalog and allow you to download the app right away: (Glimpse) http://developer.palm.com/appredirect/?promocode=injoj55410gavxv
For right now it looks like the promo codes for these apps have all been used up, but there is talk about more coming in the near future (plus any other promo codes that might happen), and you'll need to keep using these steps to make it all work in your favor.
Source: Palm Blog, PreCentral Forums
40 Comments
I don't know what this helps.....
using the provided promocodes doesn't deduct it from my credit.
same for me. I just searched the app catalog, clicked purchase, signed in, and copied the code in to the field. I just checked, my app credit is still where I left it last.
There have been more than a few reports where this was not happening correctly.
I'm in that "not prompted for the promo code" group-- was ticked off that it deducted from my $50, because I only grabbed the app because I thought it was going to be free.
the question is how can we get the "early adopter" money back into the account. Would love to hear any plans
You don't. Just like you don't when you have spent $30 of your $50 on apps that were then released for free. Beating will resume until early adopter webOS user's moral improves.
Exact same for me. App Catalog, entered appropriate promo code, downloaded app, checked my account & my credit stayed exactly the same. I downloaded 3 of these apps for about $20, yet my credit is about $45.
I'm in that "not prompted for the promo code" group-- was ticked off that it deducted from my $50, because I only grabbed the app because I thought it was going to be free.
I get it now. Thanks!
Is there any point to this right now? for the past two days, the code has been invalid/all gone =/
"but there is talk about more coming in the near future"
I think the title is a bit misleading, as "coming in the near future" is a bit of a bitter taste right now ;)
Should have been more like "use promo codes with your $50 credit"
I think it makes sense to post this IF more do come in the future. This isn't helpful to anyone until the rumor becomes reality.
If you had clicked on the link in the email regarding your $50 credit, that promo code was stored in your app catalog and it didn't give the option to use the promo codes provided in the blog. I, for one, unknowingly used up 30.95 from my credit on apps I wouldn't have otherwise purchased. My case has been escalated up HP's support chain but I doubt I'll see the credit applied back to my account... just like I doubt I'll ever get a credit for buying a TP for $550 before the firesale started. :/
Where did you buy your TP from? Many retailers are price matching all the way back to launch day purchases and even pre-orders.
Obviously he doesn't want to work to get his money back. He wants it handed back to him.
Assumptions, assumptions!
I bought it from Amazon. Only later did I find out Amazon only "fulfilled" it and Plethora7 (??) sold it to me. I've contacted both a number of times to try and work it out... no success.
I've also called HP's webOS support (which is actually tech support). They told me to call HP sales (can't do anything they haven't sold). I've also called corporate and they wanted me to send them an email detailing all this along with my product information/serial number.
All-in-all I've literally spent 10 hours on the phone trying to resolve this. What would you rather me do, troll, to try and get the money back?
Unless you preordered at Amazon, they just tell you to go **** yourself.
Lesson learned: Never buy a technology product from Amazon again.
These codes only work in US ... correct?
correct, always US of America!!! Nothing for the rest of us!!! Is like if we paid the TouchPad with money printed by the TALIBAN/AFGHANISTAN before US of America invaded!
Actually, HP said these were for the US, but to expect similar giveaways in other countries.
what is this i dont even
I would really like to know just how many of those codes were made available? They went really fast, and despite assurances in Derek's update, not to mention the article in WOR, that more would be coming, none have as of yet.
Then again, this wouldn't be the first time HP failed to keep it's word, would it.
So you expect HP to have free promos every day? Then would you complain they didn't keep their word because it wasn't happening every hour?
I don't get it--6 apps were offered for free w/a promo code. It is good for those of us that got them and it is good for the developers.
I understand there were some snags, but this was a good thing HP didn't have to do.
The fact is - I would Not expect them to do this
I would have MUCH preferred that they NOT abandon the TP and Pre3 and the Other webOS Hardware that was rumored to be in development.
But they did.
Then they come along, and thru ‘semi-official' channels indicate that they would fix the next problem that they themselves’ created, and Once Again – they let us down
Like I said, are we surprised?
Great. 6 free apps. Are the couple hundred people who each bought 10 or more Touchpads to ebay them at scalper prices going to download them?
You don't know what you're talking about. From a developer's perspective, my download numbers show there are real people buying Touchpads and getting apps. Not just the scalpers you assume are buying them.
rsanchez1: no need to be rude to our cynical forum member here. Dark_Blu did not imply that *only* scalpers are buying TouchPads, and your d/l numbers do not disprove that there were several (a couple hundred?) enterprising people who did indeed grab up a bunch and are selling them on ebay.
This is off topic, but the completed listings for TPads on ebay show them going for ~$235 for 16GB and ~$260 for 32 GB. If this is what people are paying for them in an auction environment, then its fair to say this is their market value. I wonder if HP had launched them at those prices, if webOS would be in the same position as it is today.
Dude, it's called being sarcastic and the comment was in jest. You'd do well to learn to relax and develop a sense of humor. Maybe a "couple hundred people" did buy more than one touch pad and sell them on ebay for scalper prices. Maybe it was less. Maybe it was more. No one really knows for sure. Either way, it is kind of funny that days after the Touchpad went on Fire sale, a bunch of them showed up on Ebay for scalper prices. If there is another fire sale, HP should limit the number of them that people can buy so that those of us who actually intend to use one (not sell them for profit) can get one. It's really not that serious of an issue to be bashing someone you don't know on an internet forum. LOL!!!
Good to hear from a developer. Some will complain no matter what. I hope your sales continue to improve & you continue to develop.
Seems that HP can't ever do things more than half-right...
Recommendations on preventing the browser from httpS ing? (instead of http)?
Open it with the standard browser on your TP.
Thanks for the tip! I will keep it handy for next time.
thanks for your tip. Would love to hear how as a group we can restore our credit when the app catalog did not let us put in the '6 pack' promo code
+1
BS. Promo code was limited and already gone.
Quell HD is available and I just downloaded it, but Angry Birds Rio is gone!!
Ok please help me here or I'll pull my hair out : HOW DO I DO THIS :
"Copy the following URL and paste it into your default Web Browser (make sure it stays as "http" and does not change to "https" "
Its changes it to https all the time on my touchpad
Looks like angry birds promo code is all used up.
They have been deducting these out of my $50 early adpoter credit. Wasted $30 and the last hour with HP to fix this and they say there is nothing they can do. WTF! It has never asked me for the promo code when I have clicked that option. Be carefull!!
So I have wasted $28 of my early adopter credit on stuff everyone else gets for free. This sucks!!