 The webOS Classic application, which faithfully emulates many legacy Palm OS apps on the Pre, recently received its first major update. The new version brings in lots of needed improvements, including experimental sound support (SndStream API, MIDI playback), stability improvements, enhanced preferences, pinch-to-zoom, improved keyboard behavior, and improved application and data loading.
In addition, the blue screen issue that some users were having after the webOS 1.03 system update has been addressed by MotionApps in their FAQ. The update is free for registered users, available OTA from the App Catalog. Visit the official site for more details.
For those still waiting to get into the Mojo SDK early access program, why not have some fun with the built-in camera in the meantime? One Pre owner found that his new webOS device can make some interesting stop motion video, by taking photos in a virtual "burst mode" of about one shot per second. When stitched together, the effect makes for an eye-catching production. Now you can show your iPhone 3GS buddies that the Pre camera has some punch, while you wait for real video recording to arrive (hopefully). Hold down the space bar to start snapping.
via Precentral
 Ever since developers got a hold of the webOS root image, by rooting the Pre various hacks have been detailed, from installing a Linux NES emulator to an unofficial way to enable tethering. However, the next step in homebrew development is here, with a workaround allowing users to install apps without the need to root their device.
The simple procedure involves e-mailing yourself a link to the app (not transferring it through USB, clicking it through a browser, or e-mailing an attachment of the app). The link should turn grey when opened, and the app will appear in the launcher soon after. However, the ease of installation also opens up malware possibilities for inexperienced users; so now that the method is out there, e-mails containing .ipk files should be checked to make sure they contain desired apps before installing.
Precentral via MyPre
Viewing files
The Application Manager's open() method can be used to launch viewers for common file types (.pdf, .doc, .jpg, etc.). When opening a file, you are simply calling the Application Manager's open() method on a target of unknown content type. The target can be web or file-based. If the Application Manager cannot determine the content type based on the file extension or http header, it will return an error.
Click here for an example of opening a file using the Application Manager.
Video and Audio
The built-in webOS media applications can be used to play stream or file-based audio or video content.
The audio player is launched using the Application Manager's open method with a target property of:
- http://[audio file URI]
- https://[audio file URI]
- rtsp://[audio file URI]
- file://[audio file location]
Click here for an example of launching the Audio player with a local file.
The video player can play or stream video content. Like the audio player, the video player is launched using the Application Manager's open method with a target property of:
- http://[video file URI]
- https://[video file URI]
- rtsp://[video file URI]
- file://[video file location]
Additional features supported by the video player but not the audio player include the ability to specify a title or thumbnail that is displayed while the video is loading.
Click here for an example of launching the Video player with a local file.
Palm has not yet released the Command Resource Handler Table, which will have a complete list of all supported video and mime types.
Launching other 3rd party applications
In addition to launching the included core webOS applications you can launch other 3rd party applications if you know their application ids and any required launch parameters. Palm has hinted that eventually webOS will support dynamic registration for resource handlers and broadcast services "to allow you to determine what applications are available and what services they offer at runtime."
If the launched application is already running, it will become maximized and put into the foreground view.
Click here for an example of launching a 3rd party application.
That covers viewers and players. Check back when Palm lifts the NDA on the SDK for the full Command Resource Handler Table which will help you make real decisions about file and application launching in your application.
In our next (Not Quite) Daily Tutorial, we'll check out System Services like location services, connection status, alarms, sounds, power management, system properties and time services! Follow us on Twitter or grab the www.webOShelp.net RSS feed to stay in the know.
Much of the information in this article was presented in Chapter 8 of Palm webOS by Mitch Allen.
 Pre owners should be aware that Palm recently released a new webOS update, less than two weeks after version 1.02 was released. The 1.03 update weighs in at 13MB (compared to the previous 67MB) , and brings improvements to several applications; notably, improving sync functionality in Gmail, contacts and calendar and enhancing power performance in areas of poor coverage. View the full changelog to see the additions.
This is a step in the right direction towards improving battery life of the Pre, an issue which has put a damper on numerous positive initial reviews of Palm's new webOS handset.
Another feature of the Pre's OTA updates is that they are automatically downloaded and installed. While for the average user this is a benefit, some may find this policy slightly burdonsome. Like many devices, the Pre will download updates in the background, prompt you to install it, and you can delay the timer if you like. However after the third dismissal, the next 10-minute timer cannot be defused, provided your device has 30% battery power and a strong enough signal.
While updates by in large provide helpful additions to the system, hackers will likely find their tweaks negated with new updates (not unlike on the iPhone), and developers could be in for a headache if an update were to take issue with their applications. For example, problems with the Classic App were reported after the update; although users have since found a fix.
PhoneNews even goes so far to suggest forced updates could be a danger; for example in the unlikely case an update were to brick your phone (or drain too much battery) and you need to dial 911, only to find a dead phone in your pocket. Do you think Palm should give you the option of choosing not to install an update, for whatever reason?
Sources: Gizmodo, Precentral
 Palm announced today on their developer blog that their goal is to "make the SDK available to everyone by the end of summer". The progression towards a public release would happen in stages, notes Chuq Von Rospach, Palm Developer Community Manager. The expansion will include ramping up the Palm Mojo SDK early access program and increasing the freedoms of early Mojo developers to discuss their experiences. From the blog:
- Beginning immediately, we’ll accelerate the growth of the early access program, expanding as quickly as resources allow. Over the next few weeks, the program will grow from hundreds to thousands of developers.
- Simultaneously, we’ll begin publishing more content outside the early access program, and we’ll launch new confidentiality rules that will allow early Mojo developers to communicate more freely with the rest of the world.
- As soon as we can, we’ll open the SDK to all legitimate requests.
Also mentioned in the post is Palm's stance towards webOS development "experiments" that have arisen over the past week (derived from the webOS root for the Pre). So far, their stance seems quite moderate towards developers that cross official boundaries.
While they acknowledge that many will want to tweak the system, instead of condemning Palm is taking a more open approach, reminding us that formal offerings and community efforts around those offerings, will by in large provide the best experience. Palm also recently opened a webOS Open Source Portal to ramp up interest in the platform.
Also, if all goes to plan you should have the Palm webOS book (due out mid-August) in your hands for the SDK. The book is an official guide to building native applications in Palm webOS, written by Palm software CTO Mitch Allen. Currently, Chapter 8 of the Rough Cuts edition is available for purchase online.
via Boy Genius
It has been many days since our last (Not Quite) Daily Tutorial™. But we're back with Palm Synergy Services; a very cool feature that allows you to do some neat tricks with applications, such as automatically inserting an event in your calendar after you've performed an action like making a dinner reservation or buying tickets for a concert. Palm Synergy Services support integration with the Synergy applications which currently include Contacts, Calendar, Email and Messaging. Palm suggests that other applications "could be supported over time", which leaves hope for integration with other apps like Tasks and Memos.
Email and Messaging are launched through the Application Manager service and can be used to send messages with the user's approval, similar to the way the Phone application works (the application launches with information provided from the calling application, but the user must still press "send"). Contacts and Calendar services enable applications to work more directly with contact data or calendar events, although Palm suggests these services are designed for "occasional use" to add single records rather than "full sync" solutions.
Account Manager
Operations that add data to Synergy applications (e.g. adding an event to a user's calendar) require an established Synergy Account before any other operations can take place. There is an implicit "Palm" account that all information created and stored on the device belongs to, but other information must be provided by an application with an explicit account id. Data that belongs to an account can only be accessed by the application that owns that account.
A good example of this is the third-party�Missing Sync�application. It enables you to pull data from iCal on a Mac into the Palm's calendar application (among other things). To do this, the Missing Sync application creates its own calendar "account", which is then listed when you go into the calendar application on the Pre (it's the last one with the markspace@markspace.com email):
Read more...
 In the wake of the webOS root image last week (and lack of a public SDK), programmers have been busy porting games such as Doom, getting a Linux NES emulator to run, even finding ways to enable tethering on the device. More hacks have since surfaced, including the installation of 1700+ Optware Linux command-line packages, useful Global Search addons, and tweaking the functionality of several stock applications. Follow the links for the install instructions; you will also need to know how to root your device to get started.
Enable the Optware Package Feed - Link
Optware is the product of years of work from the nslu2-linux.org project. The package includes many apps including web servers, compiler toolchains, protocol analysers, and much more. These 1700+ packages can now be installed onto the Pre, essentially giving the handset the full functionality of a Linux computer. While it's still in command-line form (GUI can be expected after the public SDK), all of it can be utilized without interfering with webOS.
Global Search Addons - Link
This hack adds several additional Global Search buttons to the Pre, from everything from Amazon, Facebook, IMDB, Wikipedia, and much more. This may be useful for streamlining your searches and may be quite appealing to casual users who want an easy way to search their favorite sites. The tutorial includes pre-configured logo graphics and code for each site, and once installed you just have to start typing and the new options will show up.
Modify Stock Applications - Link
So far, several preloaded Pre applications have been tweaked to increase functionality, many of which may be useful for casual and power users alike. Current mods are listed below:
- Camera: Add option to turn off the shutter sound and add a self timer
- Amazon Music: Currently, the Amazon app only allows downloading over Wi-Fi, this will allow downloading over EVDO/3G
- Messaging Application: Add timestamps to all received messages and make the messaging app create a new card for each conversation
- PDF Viewer: Allow the viewer to auto-rotate into landscape mode (only portrait mode enabled by default)
- Dialer / Phone App: Turn off the dialpad noise
- Sounds and Alerts: Change the notification and alert sounds on your device
More hacks are expected as time goes on. If you've tried any of the ones available so far, how has your experience been? Also, is there a current Pre feature that you wish was different / better and hope that a hack will be available in the future?
PreDevWiki via Palm Infocenter
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