Palm to give developers early access to future webOS updates

If there’s one thing that’s ever frustrated developers, it’s the unexpected OS update that breaks compatibility with their app. The developer team at Palm has recognized the issue and will be implementing a solution. It’s a solution that most other device/OS makers have gone with: early access to upcoming updates for developers. All a developer needs to do is send an email to Palm Developer Community Manager Chuq von Rospach (details here) and you may get hooked up with access to preview builds of webOS.

On a related note, developers and the rest of us lost the ability to see just how many apps have been downloaded with the new App Catalog. The data is still there, however, just hidden. Von Rospach doesn't-recommend-but-just-happens-to-mention-wink-wink-nudge-nudge a homebrew community patch (available via Preware and WebOS Quick Install) that opens up access to that data.