14 DAY TRIAL // Palm came to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this year with a Europe-friendly HSDPA handset, yet the company didn't make any big announcement at the show. At the same time, it seems that they are not too keen on talking around about Pre, while about the webOS platform, the software that will come with the handset, the company says it is the same as it was at the Consumer Electronics Show, when we first spotted them both.
One thing that the company did talk about is the development of applications for its webOS. While some voices over the Web suggested that the platform wouldn't be able to handle games, Palm says that there are games in the works for the device, and seemed a little defensive regarding the previous accusations brought to the operating system in this area.
The mobile phone maker still does not allow for “native” apps at the moment, and it seems that they would be rather reticent in admitting that web-style app development would drive to limited gaming options. On the other hand, the company has recently joined Adobe's Open Screen Project, which would bring Flash to webOS by the end of the year.
The company is currently working with a series of developers on the refining of the SDK so that it would be shaped the way it would suit them best, and plans to expand the work while the handset approaches its launch date, at least this is what Engadget says the company has stated.
According to Palm, they do not plan to come up with a soft keyboard for the handset, yet developers are free to set up their own. On the other hand, it seems that the company does not plan to give developers too deep access to the operating system, yet it is possible for things to change a little down the line.
All in all, it seems that Palm is pretty confident that the first version of its webOS will come full featured, although users might have surprises coming their way, but only from third-party solutions and not from the platform itself.