Palm Releases webOS 1.4 for US and Europe

Sunnyvale-based mobile phone maker Palm announced on Friday the release of a new software update for handsets powered by its webOS mobile platform, namely webOS 1.4. The software solution is being delivered to users over-the-air for handset users on the Sprint network in the US and on the O2 UK, O2 DE, O2 Ireland, and Movistar networks in Europe. According to the company, users on other networks will also receive the new OS flavor in the near future.

Among the novelties brought to handsets by the new operating system flavor, we can count the ability to capture, edit, and share videos. WebOS 1.4 offers users the possibility to easily record video clips with the camera on their Palm webOS handsets, and also offers them the possibility to quickly edit and upload them on YouTube or Facebook. At the same time, users can also sent clips via email or MMS, all via a few clicks. The video embedded at the bottom of this article shows how the new feature works.

According to Palm, webOS 1.4 enables users to “get more done faster: The Calendar, Phone, Messaging, and Email apps have all been enhanced with new features to simplify common tasks (many based on feedback from our customers). For example, in the Calendar app, you can now dial a number that appears in the subject of an appointment. In the Email app, you can now sort by date, sender, and subject. In the Phone app, the Call log offers more options to easily connect to a contact (such as via SMS). And there are some new shortcuts for zipping from one app to another (for example, moving from a chat view to a phone call with that person). You¹ll also see improved performance in these apps.”

Among the other enhancements the new operating system flavor brings forth, we can also mention improved notifications, with the LED in the gesture area now being set to pulse when one receives a notification. At the same time, users will also be able to customize notification sounds in Messaging, Email (on an account-by-account basis), and Calendar, will enjoy enhanced Calendar synchronization performance, along with system improvements, security fixes and many other changes, all of which are detailed on Palm's website.