www.webOShelp.net

While the sparring between Palm and Apple over multitouch functionality may have passed over without incident, issues over iTunes compatibility with the Pre has come to the forefront of discussion between the two companies. Apple recently released an advisory warning, claiming that future versions of the software may break functionality with third-party devices that currently sync with iTunes (i.e. the Pre).

"Apple is aware that some third-parties claim that their digital media players are able to sync with Apple software. However, Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players and, because software changes over time, newer versions of Apple’s iTunes software may no longer provide syncing functionality with non-Apple digital media players."

With homebrewers busy with the release of the webOS image, Palm has warned PreDevWiki, an up-and-coming site "for collecting information about the inner workings of webOS", that discussion of tethering is strictly forbidden.

"We have been politely cautioned by Palm that any discussion of tethering during the Sprint exclusivity period (and perhaps beyond—we don't know yet) will probably cause Sprint to complain to Palm, and if that happened then Palm would be forced to react against the people running the IRC channel and this wiki."

However, this hasn't stopped hackers from doing their thing. Engadget reports that tethering is a go, enabled by rooting your phone, enabling SSH, and configuring your browser to run through a SOCKS proxy. While it may not be the most elegant solution at this point, it seems previous promises of Pre tethering may be finally coming through, albeit unofficially.

Also, these types of warnings haven't been enough to stop iPhone tethering hacks, which have been around for some time. Just be aware that Sprint is probably keeping an eye out for any tethering rogues, so better to keep things on the down low if attempted. Follow the link below for the guide.

IsYouGeekedUp

Just last week along with the webOS ROM, the secret Konami code was found to activate developer mode on the Pre. Now you can use the code for real to collect your 30 lives in Contra. Previously, our 8-bit favorites were only running via Classic, with no sound and bunk controls. However, homebrewers have tweaked the Linux-based FCEUltra NES emulator to run on the Pre in glorious, pixellated 320x480 resolution.

The process is fairly straightforward, notes CrunchGear. Use the root of your device to compile FCEUltra, tweak a few display settings to enable 320x480 resolution, and then configure the key mappings. Load up your favorite ROMs, and you're now ready for some retro gaming action on your Pre!

A short video of it in action can be found here. Hit up the link below for the install instructions.

PreDevWiki

Although it's just a week after the Pre was released, coders have already been busy proving that the Pre has some game. Looks like we may not need to rely on Adobe Flash later this year to bring gaming to the Pre after all.

PlayScreen launches 25 online Pre games, downloadable versions to come

Have a few minutes to spare? PlayScreen, an online gaming hub for mobiles, has ported 25 of their games to the Pre, reports PreCentral. You can start playing for free online at http://playscreen.com/palmpre/. In addition, they have stated that the games will be ported into downloadable apps available in the Palm App Catalog. From the press release:

"With all the excitement over this new phone and operating system we wanted to make sure consumers didn’t have to wait for their favorite games. Reviewers of the Palm Pre have asked, 'Where are the Games?' Well, the games are here, at PlayScreen.com."

The games can be played instantly via the browser, and are ad-supported. So far, titles include blackjack, solitaire, bowling, sudoku, roulette, backgammon, darts, golf, and more.

Doom ported to webOS, runs well on Pre

For skeptics that feel webOS can't handle an FPS game, think again. Taking a cue from the webOS image released this week, A hacker called Sargund has ported Doom over to the Pre (via the open-source PRDoom), notes Engadget. The game utilizes the DirectFB graphics library to pipe the action through the framebuffer on the Pre, with the process being "fairly trivial", he claims. The game looks to run well so far, so we have high hopes for some demon-blasting action; although we can't say as much for his camera skills (turn your head for the video, after the break).

It's been a busy month here at www.webOShelp.net. The Pre was released (and rooted), Mitch Allen was cranking out chapters of Palm webOS weekly, and preDevCamp went to the brink and back. We've fallen a bit behind in our (Not Quite) Daily Tutorials (tm), but we're scheduled to be on track first thing next week. If you haven't yet seen them, be sure to check them out. They're the next best thing to getting into the Mojo Early Access program; you can write most of a functional webOS application using just the info in these tutorials.

We will also be getting our Mojo API Reference up-to-date with the latest objects, methods and examples, as well as our CSS and UI widget lists. At the same time, we'll be revamping the site's design to make it easier to get the info you need fast.

So, stick around, create an account and chat it up with like-minded developers in our forums (without the usual "noise" you find on those other end-user focused sites) while you wait for the SDK to be released!

Palm webOS has "ten-plus years of innovation" ahead of it, states the newest CEO of Palm, former chairman (and Apple executive) Jon Rubinstein. He succeeds Ed Colligan (left), who has been at the company's helm for 16 years.

From the press release:

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PALM - News) today announced that its board of directors has appointed Jon Rubinstein to lead the company as Chairman and CEO upon the departure of Ed Colligan, who is stepping down after sixteen years of leadership at the company. Rubinstein, who joined Palm as Executive Chairman in October 2007 to help bring innovation back to the company, assumes his role as CEO on June 12. Colligan plans to take some time off, then join Elevation Partners.

“I am very excited about taking on this expanded role at Palm,” said Rubinstein. “Ed and I have worked very hard together the past two years, and I’m grateful to him for everything he’s done to help set the company up for success. With Palm webOS we have ten-plus years of innovation ahead of us, and the Palm Pre is already one of the year’s hottest new products. Due in no small part to Ed’s courageous leadership, we’re in great shape to get Palm back to continuous growth, and we plan to keep the trajectory going upward.”

Colligan responded by stating he was proud of what Palm has accomplished and pioneered over the years, and believes that they will help define the mobile web standard into the future. It is unclear as to what role he will continue to have with Palm, or of his future commitments on the board of directors. We are looking forward to Rubinstein continuing on with the success of webOS, the Pre and other devices to follow.

via ZDNet

Update: Salary numbers have come in, and with Palm still recovering from poor revenue last quarter, will the move pay off for them? Colligan's base salary was $757k in 2008, while new CEO Rubinstein will be making up to $1.7M a year, including $850k base, reports mocoNews. In turn, Colligan will receive $1.2M in separation payments over the next year.

Palm reports that the agreement will result in a non-cash charge to the company of about $5M next quarter, and $2M over the next 12 months.

Palm webOS ROM leaked

The developer mode on the Pre was found from the complete 195 MB webOS root image from a leaked Palm webOS Reset Doctor program found on Precentral. The program is intended for restoring Pre phones with critical system errors. You can download the program here (check the resources folder). Upon cracking open the ROM, several other interesting items have been found so far:

• amusing developer comments (e.g. "# what the hell does this do?")
• icons for MSN and AOL (which could round off upcoming Yahoo support for synergy)
• a Java Virtual Machine
• references to the upcoming Palm Eos (Pixie / Castle). In /etc/miniboot.sh (code after the break)
  

Since the launch of the Pre, Verizon released an anti-Pre chart, the device was disassembled and priced for all to see, and the Touchstone is in short supply in stores around the country. More news has come in, from sales numbers, to numerous hardware and software problems (and solutions), new webOS apps, and of course the new iPhone hardware announced at the Apple WWDC. Read on the for the latest.

Over 50,000 Palm Pre phones sold, over 150,000 Apps Downloaded; supply running low?

A new Sprint record was set this past weekend with the Pre, breaking first day and first weekend sales records, reports Yahoo. The new webOS device is touted as a defining wireless crossover device for businesses and consumers for Sprint's Now Network; and although lines may have been shorter than for the first iPhone, there was still a decent turnout. An estimated 50 - 100,000 units were sold in the first weekend, and over 150,000 apps were downloaded by early adopters, notes Gizmodo and IntoMobile. This number could easily rise to over a million by the end of the year, more if a GSM version is introduced, estimates iSupply.

Many Sprint stores sold out of the Pre in just one day, while CNET reports that many Best Buy locations sold out almost immediately (due to low initial stock and a $100 instant rebate). By comparison, Sprint's flagship store in NYC received nearly 200 phones, while the nearest Best Buy received only 40-48 phones for launch. Also, while the device is currently available only in retail stores, the Touchstone and other accessories can be found online with free shipping, if you couldn't grab one on Saturday.

Palm shares are similarly being sold off, with news of the new iPhone and other factors driving the stock price down 6.5% today, reports Barrons. More news after the break.