webOS App Catalog getting overhauled, adding features for webOS 3 36
We've just finished up watching HP's developer presentation at Mobile World Congress 2011. It was essentially a condensed version of both of their Think Beyond presentations - going over the Veer, Pre 3, and TouchPad while also showing how Enyo changes the game for webOS developers. You can find links to our previous coverage right here if you need to get caught up.
However, sandwiched between those two presentations, HP Senior Product Manager, SW Platform and Tools Gray Norton gave us a preview of the next version of the App Catalog with plenty of new features coming when it debuts on the TouchPad
First, HP is rethinking how the App Catalog will feature apps by essentially splitting it into two modes. There will be a new "Browser" mode that HP thinks of like a magazine for apps - allowing them to better showcase apps and also allow developers to create a richer sales experience. HP will still have the traditional list-o-apps experience that we all know now, but will be placing that under the Search tab.
HP will also be adding a "Save for Later" option to all apps - essentially allowing you to flag apps so that you can purchase them later. It could be a very convenient tool for deciding between several similar apps. Simply save all the Twitter clients you're interested in, for example, then go to the Saved section to look at them more closely before you buy.
Finally, Palm had previously promised that they would be bringing Carrier Billing and Promotion codes for developers to the App Store. Both are big deal items that don't look like it at first blush: Carrier billing tends to be cheaper for companies than Credit Card billing and also, with time, tends to also drive consumers to buy more apps because it is more convenient. Promotion codes are something that we've been pushing for here at PreCentral for a long time (there's basically no better way for developers promote their apps than to give a bunch away on the biggest webOS site on the planet *cough* *cough*). HP says that each app will be able to have 1,000 promotion codes.
They said that these would come at the latest when the App Catalog launches on webOS 3 this summer, but we're hoping they can shorten that window a bit.
36 Comments
yay! This is great news. The tablet formfactor and webos 3 are going to force a lot of updates and changes to the ui of webos. Evolution is a good thing to spur innovation. I have never been so excited for summer to come!
Yes but still no mention about app catalog open to everybody....:(
whoopee!!! improvements to the app store.... totally useless, though, until/unless they open up the app catalog to everyone (and not just someone with a credit card billing address in US/Canada/Germany/UK/Ireland/...)
I second, third and fourth this request. The current model is nonsense when tied to a carrier. Not even Apple does this... I'm stuck with an app-less Pre 2 activated in Chile, and now I've moved to Argentina.
Come on HP get your act together, think bigger, bla bla bla and GLOBAL!
I need to second that. This is ridiculous. Why even bother to sell them unlocked, if you can't buy apps if you're in the wrong country... Have a Pre2 I "imported" (bought on line) from Palm UK, and HP doesn't allow my to be a customer because I am in Sweden? Absolutely f'ing stoopid.
Does anybody here have the ear of someone @ Palm/HP? I have searched the forums for answers to why they haven't opened up, but I can't find a sensible answer... Does anybody know when or IF they intend to open the app catalog up to customers in "non official" countries?
Sounds good except the carrier billing part! I really hope it's not going to happen. I am pretty happy with the current billing system since I am not officially on Verizon even though I am using their towers. I use my Palm Pixi Plus with Page Plus Wireless and it's been working great for me to this point.
I don't need data and I love WebOS and this was the only choice for me. I am at WIFI places 99.9% of the time. All I pay is $29.95 / month for my service. I still get 50mb of data which is plenty for Google and my email.
I hope this will not affect me anyway in the negative way. I know I am in minority here but this has been working great for me.
If carrier billing comes, I would bet you will have a choice of which to use.
You still would be able to use credit card purchasing..
Having carrier billing is just added value and more options
it's listed under webos 3.x improvements so unless you figure out a way to metadoctor it on when it comes out, then I doubt you need to worry
The browser concept very cool--sort of a "Stacks" for the app cat. Very nice indeed.
not sure where to put this comment but just got off the phone with sprint and ask the rep about pre 3. He put me on hold and went to ask a supervisor. Came back and said sprint is definatley getting the pre 3 just not sure when...:)
That's soooooooooooo hot.
Can we get something official from HP or Sprint? I'd love for this to be true. Just hope it doesn't cost a bazzillion dollars when they get it.
i figured as much. they would b silly not to
They have to open app catalog for everybody from every country !!
Yeah, is the first real big problem to solve if they want "Everybody On".....
Otherwise in the coming months ... we are all died. Hp/Palm wake up!
Did HP mention if the new App Catalog will allow developers to set a minimum webOS version so customers do not buy apps their device cannot run?
"save for latter" is an excellent idea! I was thinking that the other day while in the Android Market, that I wish there was a shopping cart to put like items in and make a decision later. This isn't such a huge issue for WebOS yet, but as the Catalog grows, it is easy to get lost in the weeds when viewing so many apps that do the same thing different ways. Smart on HP for figuring this out before it becomes a problem. I am waiting a year and a half before changing phones again, but WebOS phones/tablets look to be positioning themselves perfectly for when that time comes.
"AWESOME NEW AWESOMESAUCE FROM HP/PALM!!!!1"
. . . available in the coming months.
I'm not sure how app purchases are handled in other countries for other platforms but, I would think that by allowing carrier billing this would somehow open up the catalog to the rest of the world. The carrier will bill them instead of HP having to handle the transaction.
ok good news HP...
what about a good interface browsing the appcat & buying from the web?
this is a great feature, webOS should pick it up. Browsing from the phone gets tiresome at times.
I also hope that carrier billing isn't the only way to go.. It can't be, for example for folks that only buy a wifi-only touchPad. (i even know folks that use their pres wifi-only as-is..)
Or for folks that use smaller carriers, resellers, etc that don't "officially" carry the device.
> what about a good interface browsing the appcat & buying from the web?
Well, this might just happen when they bring webOS apps on PCs :) - I hope... Or you could buy a webOS tablet to do the same... come to think of it, do we know how the tablet and smartphone will be connected - will they be using the same profile or different ones?
> for folks that use smaller carriers, resellers, etc that don't "officially" carry the device.
For those using webOS on carriers that don't officially carry the device, it's all the same - they can't even buy apps right now, when billing isn't tied to the carrier.
I like the "Save for Later" feature. I suggested that to Palm a year or so ago. Would love to "tag" some apps to keep easy tabs on them, looking for sales, price drops, feature updates etc.
Lots of good stuff coming, but I can't wait 6 months! Ugh!
screw that carrier billing! My Pre- is a company phone, but with my own credit card used for my Palm account. I love it this way. I can buy whatever I want and not hear about it from my boss! I'll be sad if they do change it.
I bet they want to launch the Pre3 with 3.0 and that's why they're holding off on it.
Blasphemy. How dare you call the App Catalog the App Store.
Do three Hail Rubi's and go and sin no more.
awsome! Where's the video? I'm enjoying the steady stream of info. HPs got my $ as soon as they put the device in my hands!
Those look like the same games that are already on the device. We're looking for need for speed 2. Rock Band - Aerosmith, etc... how about updates for the other ones? Carrier billing is nice. But nothing to do with webOS 3.0.
This is ridiculous no one has 2.0 yet. You should be finding out what their doing for 2.0 or 2.5. Get on their asses about Google Maps. Shazam, tweetdeck,and ESPN applications. How about a better music store with movies? If thats not in 3.0 theres an issue. Real player would be nice.
is it going to benefit the loyal Palm customers who wanted stick around and get webos 2.0, flash, cool apps etc? if not then bring us all up to date for free! Maybe then we will by the Touchpad by summer...Come on HP
I like it. Wow. Sensible marketing.
Will they put it on the HP main site too - like Apple does with apps and itunes?
Rage!
This is really a good news. I love the updates. I am so excited for this. I can't wait actually. - Tax Tiger