webOS Pivot for August, 2011 - The Play Issue 52
The second issue of the webOS app catalog magazine, Pivot, has landed on the HP TouchPad, and while most of you have already start reading through this latest edition we still wanted to give you a quick review. "The Play Issue", as it is called, is one that we were really looking forward to with its anticipated piece about webOS Homebrew and quick reviews of a multitude of applications that have been released in the last month. There have been some improvements made since the first issue was released in July, and we found ourselves really enjoying the content this time around. If HP wants to call this The Play Issue, we can definitely go with that, cause this was a lot of fun to read through.
One of the things that we appreciated from this new issue of the app catalog magazine was the inclusion of instructions on how to use it. Near the start of the content we now get some decent tips on how to navigate the pages and interact with the content. Also included is a small editor's note letting us know what changes were made to the previous issue, reassuring us that they're listening if anyone ever finds an inconsistency within the content. Also new with this issue is a link to their Twitter account, @webOSPivot, which should be bringing us more content and answers to our questions between issues, though it only became active today.
While the App Catalog itself does not specifically allow us to separately browse TouchPad apps from other webOS apps, Pivot does give a good way to find some of the latest ones available for the tablet device. As you read through the very interesting stories, case studies and reviews, you'll found a number of applications that you might have missed during your past perusings of the catalog. A quick tap of the button within the magazine will let you purchase those apps within skipping a beat, so it's certain that Pivot is serving a great purpose for HP's app developers. Because this issue focused a lot on media consumption and mobile gaming, it was almost overwhelming to see all of the apps that we had been missing out on, but after a few deep breathes we got back in and kept on with the adventure (which is exactly what it felt like).
For most PreCentral readers, it's page 30 that will be the highlight of your read. "Home Free" is the title of the piece, and it's all about webOS homebrewers and their relationship with HP (specifically showing how HP supports this unofficial community). The story gives a quick plug for two other applications in the catalog, WhitePages by James Harris and Preware Homebrew Documentation by Rod Whitby, which both illustrate the exciting world of webOS homebrew. There was one small problem, though; they say that you can add patches, themes and homebrew apps by downloading the Preware Homebrew Documentation app from the catalog, which is not entirely factual (you need to install Preware or WebOS Quick Install, which are not available in the official catalog). It's certainly the best way that novice users will be able to figure out how to get the real tools installed, but the truth is slightly different from what the writers of this piece might lead users to believe. Other than that, it's a great read for new and old users alike, and we expect a lot of new users will want to get involved with homebrew once they start learning more.
In total, this issue of webOS Pivot shows 30 total applications (like Taskr, 7Digital MP3 and Comics HD) over 37 pages (which shows it is growing from last month's 22 apps in 31 pages). We would have liked to have had access to the old issues, but it looks as though back-logging is not yet available (please do this, HP!), but a look ahead at what they're bringing in September (which will be about "lifestyle, education and entertainment") leaves us hopeful that the content will continue to be filled with great topics and apps.
You can get "The Play Issue" of webOS Pivot right now by launching your HP webOS App Catalog on your TouchPad (it's automatically downloaded) and then let us know what you think in the comments below. Did this issue help sway your pocket to buy any apps yet?
52 Comments
Anything that salutes homebrew developers should be given a +5,000,000,000, at least. I'm baffled that they're still the best thing, development wise, about this platform over two years in.
Finally something you and I can agree on ;)
potato :)
and seeing what these guys do in their "spare time", i can't help but wonder what kind of apps we'll have when you have guys working on it full-time.
i'm not as baffled though. 3rd party developers will come when the numbers are there. and numbers will follow when you have enough quality apps. palm's internal development team was tiny compared to their competitors. so while the competitors' internal teams are churning out quality apps like the iBooks, Google Maps, etc, seemed they only had enough to focus on the OS, much less additional apps.
but i'm encouraged by what HP has done...the email app that they've created is awesome. i don't really use facebook, but i heard that that app is tip-top as well. hopefully that frees that team up to do "other" apps.
still, internal apps are one thing. creativity comes from all sort of places so they need to continue courting those 3rd party developers...maybe even compensate them. i don't know much about marketing or product strategy, but i would've given that money they gave to alicia keys, for example, to netflix instead. just a thought.
I am really inspired that HP is reaching out to the amazing homebrew community. I also think Pivot is a really cool thing. Good on you HP! @wencyjr, I totally agree with you. Its kind of a weird chicken and egg situation... You need the apps to get the developers, you need the developers to get the apps. Anyway, kudos to the Homebrew community that makes my Pre- somehow still fun and cool. And a huge thumbs up to HP for recognizing that! Apple would never embrace the Jailbreakers like this.
...true, it is kind of a "chicken and egg situation" - but only until developers SEE with their own very eyes, that what HP is doing with webOS makes shrewd of sense. THEN they will invest their time, money and efforts to develop for the platform, THEN we will have quality apps coming...
Believe me, people are very much interested in investing in new cool things - if they see the future in them...
Apparently, HP's up to date "achievements" are only convincing in the eyes of handful of die-hard fans, and bunch of HP's own self-complacent corporate suits, who congratulate themselves times and again how "wonderful product they have", and how well they are "positioned for the future". Ehem, ehem.
...But Emperor is naked, and child can see it.
That's because homebrewers can actually get stuff done. With HP it's always "in the coming months".
If you haven't noticed a marked difference between HP and Palm in this regard, you haven't been paying attention.
But I know you have been paying attention, because I know you frequent this site, so I don't understand your need to keep repeating this.
I'm not the only one who repeats "in the coming months". I know you frequent the site, so I don't see why you don't get the running joke.
Yeah! And I even purchased their documentation for .99. Even though I don't need it, but it's a quick way to say thanks homebrew!
The August issue is very nice. Reading it was fun, not to mention the info on the various apps was enlightening. This is a very creative way of highlighting new apps. This is the kind of "new" thinking that made webOS the OS we all love so much. Thanks HP, for keeping the Palm DNA in tact.
Also, thanks for the sweetness that the Touchpad is, I love mine.
Did anyone else notice that in the first issue the photograph chanced when you rotate the pad? Not just the size, but there was a completely different photo... It was really cool and nicely done.
2 questions about the App Catalog:
1. Is there any way to view previous issues of Pivot?
2. Is there a way to view my purchases? I would like to know how much I have invested in webOS for the past 2 years.
1. From the article, "We would have liked to have had access to the old issues, but it looks as though back-logging is not yet available (please do this, HP!)."
2. No. I usually just keep all of my invoice emails that come from purchasing/downloading apps.
Yep, the emails is the best way. If you use gmail, you can just have a filter apply a special label to the invoice emails to find them all quickly.
Good idea about the gmail filter!
Ah, skimmed right over that paragraph. Thanks.
" they say that you can add patches by downloading the Preware Homebrew Documentation app, which is entirely factual" This sentence in itself is confusing and misleading as much as the Pivot error.
Clarified. Thanks for pointing that out.
I presume Rod's doc gives people info on WOSQI, etc., so it may be good enough to point people there rather than give all the details in Pivot.
I like the new issue, although i wish it had more apps. i was really hoping HP would pull out some sort of RDP/VNC app in this issue. It really can't be business until you can remote into your desktops.
Granted there is ssh, but us windows terds feel all left out in the cold.
) there now I can stop reading the article (I hate open parenthesis!) "HP (specifically"
I wish there were some way for those of us who have not yet purchased a TouchPad to see what applications are in the catalog and also get a feeling of what applications are for the TouchPad or the phones or both. The App Catalog Gallery on pre|central is of little use as they no longer get up to date feeds.
There is a way! Read PreCentral. :)
Interesting idea. You should tweet it to dev relations (@Adora).
Instead of working on a silly app catalog magazine why don't they just work on making APPs?
But who am I, just a scr*wed over Pre- owner with a device that has not been updated in 1+ years, with a worthless voucher for buying an over-priced tablet that can't edit documents and has issues with it's casing cracking everywhere.
I hate you HP!
Marketing apps is making apps.
Marketing = Making?
Tell that to Sprint and Palm.
Read this and correct your sniveling:http://www.webosroundup.com/2011/08/picsel-smart-office-shows-off-on-the-touchpad-and-pre-document-editing-in-tow-video/
iPad 1 could do it at launch. I guess HP is still trying to poach enough Apple employees to figure it out.
Who reads WebOSRoundup anyway. That is a 3rd rate tech blog. PreCentral is the Major Leagues, just ask Tim.
It is painful to be so intelligent and surrounded by the great unwashed.
that,s not true!! i have an ipad 1 from the very beginning and it did not have the doc editing function. would be nice if you,d stick to the truth!
It's painful to have to see yet another GlennBeck post.
WebOSRoundup is where people who can't handle PreCentral go.
If you try to say one thing critical of HP on their forums, you get a mod warning. It's so annoying.
Don't reply back to a mod, you'll get banned :) They can do nothing wrong.
Someone mentioned getting a free app with a Veer purchase. I mentioned it must be part of HP "making things right" as a joke. Hardly the trollish comment. Infraction. Suspension. Banned after responding about it.
I was banned once for using the little "poke stick" icon that the forum included as an option. Mods are funny.
I refuse to believe there is a forum with worse modding and filled with people in deeper denial than PreCentral. That just can't be possible.
I don't think I'm going out on a limb here when I say the people that produce Pivot are not code monkeys and have nothing to do with making apps. You are bitching just to hear yourself and oh god I just fed the troll didn't I.
) there now I can stop reading the article (I hate open parenthesis!)
I wish there were some way for those of us who have not yet purchased a TouchPad to see what applications are in the catalog and also get a feeling of what applications are for the TouchPad or the phones or both. The App Catalog Gallery on pre|central is of little use as they no longer get up to date feeds.
I live In Toronto/Canada, yesterday I did get the update, but PIVOT until now is a NO SHOW, no August issue!!! Why me? ;)
yes I am in Canada too, and I have not seen teh August issue of the PIVOT magazine.
I had to restart my TouchPad just now (8:48pm EDT) to get the August issue.
Pivot didn't come for me until 12pm noon eastern today
pivot is amazing, so nicely done. something to show off to non-webos'ers for suuure
You are right, this is a really nice issue! I love the photos and graphics, it's all very colorful and eye catching. I'll read it tonight on the train ride home.
Wishful thinking here... I don't suppose HP would consider making this a WebOS 1.x and 2.x app or publishing in alternate formats (ie: PDF) for us lowly Pre (-, + or 2), Pixi or Veer users? It sounds quite interesting & I think I'd enjoy giving it a read ... might even help me to start wanting a Touchpad!
1.x, forget about it. HP threw that platform and its customers away.
2.x, maybe. Seeing how HP hasn't given us a firm date on webOS 4.x (or whatever version number they're gonna give to the OS that unifies smartphone and tablet), they might just bring Pivot to 2.x. Or they might just forget about 2.x, like they've been doing this past year.
August 3rd and still no sign of the August Pivot on my Touchpad - feeling left out!
WOuld be great if one could read Pivot without an internet connection...
This is London calling. It's 10:25am on August 3rd, and I am still looking at my July issue of Pivot...
Hello?
Anyone there?
.... hello ...
?
oh a phone version of pivot would really be welche, as i can't decide whether i get a touchpad or not. Well PDF wouldn't be the first choice cause of the bad PDFviewer in 1.4.5, but hey if it's the easiest way just print it to PDF.
damn autocorrect "would really be welcome " was what i wanted to write. Is there a way to have 2 autocorrect languages set?
HP we are multilingual !!!!
Is there a patch for that?
Again from Toronto/Canada, PIVOT issue for August is a "no show"! You do have customers "abroad", Canada is just north of you! Only USA r getting the PIVOT for August? Can anyone hear us?
Pivot still in July in the UK, clearly HP do not want to market the developers apps to the rest of the world.
As a HP rep told me... "Just hold on, its coming."
august six
london
still no pivot