StyleTap Mulling PalmOS Emulator for webOS 11
Although we have heard the tiniest of hints from Palm that they will eventually allow deeper-level access to developers than the current HTML + CSS + Javascript setup for the webOS, we don't yet have confirmation that it's really going to happen. One company that seems to want it is StyleTap, makers of the excellent PalmOS emulation software for Windows Mobile. They're fairly confident that they won't be able to do it with just the tools that Palm is currently offering, but with deeper level access (and user interest), they tell Brighthand that it could definitely be in the cards (so to speak):
However, in order to integrate StyleTap so that it operated seamlessly with the webOS applications, it would require that webOS/Android/LiMo have at least a limited set C/C++ APIs available that are not currently available in the announced version of the webOS SDK
They recommend contacting both StyleTap (sales@styletap.com) to let them know you're interested, but more importantly, a quick shout-out to Palm that they may want to hurry along their plans for allowing access to Linux proper on the webOS -- at least for a few top-shelf developers to start -- couldn't hurt either. We'll be watching the official Palm development blog like a hawk for further developments.
11 Comments
this furthers my claim in the post below that palm's sdk is really limited and we won't see any really interesting apps on this platform until they open it up, and what I mean by interesting is things that use it in unexpected and wonderful ways.
i.e. pandora's great, but pandora is just a port of an already web based player (currently they just feed info the flash's audio playing ability, so no different than wrapping webos's).
just my 2 cents.
Ahh. Yet another reason for those who are interested in certain features to continue to express that interest. Great post. Thanks, Dieter.
The WebOS SDK is clearly limited and the new Palm clearly has little interest in PalmOS users or developers. Both could change if the Pre's initial sales and 3rd party applications disappoint.
Does anyone know which email address should be used to contact Palm about interest in a Palm OS emulator?
How are you supposed to type in landscape mode when the physical keyboard is sideways?
I could have sworn that during the CES presentation video, he turned it to landscape and not only did the browser, but all the cards he had open (pictures, etc.) changed to landscape, too? Maybe I am dreaming that.
My opinion is I love my Treo keyboard and hate using on-screen buttons, so I'll be just fine as it is. Can't wait!
Oops...clicked the wrong comment link. Ignore my previous non-sequitur.
don't email Palm about an emulator for PalmOS; email StyleTap directly. i've already done that and think the more people who email them the better.
In my Pre briefing with Stephane Maes, he did intimate that a PalmOS emulator was perfectly feasible and he stated that webOS will allow deep API access for certain functions.
Really glad that they didn't go with StyleTap. Their emulators get very unstable with large database apps. I really hope that Motion Apps does a better job with Palm's support.
The white pawn with g