I developed an app that use Google translation service. Its name is Worldwide Translator. Then I ported my program VoipBuster SMS for WebOs. It is an app to send SMS around using you 3G connection. It goes throw internet so it is very cheap. You can check the official website on www.smartmobilesoftware.com.
- The learning curve
WebOs Programming model : Model View Controller. The View layer (what you see) is separated from the Controller (the app brain) and the Model (data).
The user interface of palm application is made of a mix of html/css and mojo tags. The drawback is that there is no Designer to help you.
The controller is written in Javascript. I don't really like it. It's an old language not very object oriented like java, but there is a lot of resources on internet on it.
The data is stored in cookies and in a tiny SQL database like on the web! But there is only one page in the book about storage and it's not explained at all in tutorials on the palm website.
As you have understood already, if you master usual web programming, you master already the palm sdk.
2. What will slow down the development
Palm forums are not very reactive. There are not enough developers yet. I remember that I asked one day how to make work the contact picker. You can find on blogs copy and pasted code snippets that have not been tested. Today, I still do not have the solution.
Don't forget that Palm WebOs is still at its beginning. The Sdk will be improved very quickly I think.
3. Relationships with the Palm Team
4. Beta App Catalog E-commerce Program
4. Palm WebOs vs Blackberry OS vs Android development vs iPhone
Programming language
Blackberry : J2ME + Blackberry API. Almost like the normal java for desktop. Very fast to learn if you know already java.
Android : Java language but very different from the usual Java. It's a pain.
WebOs : html/javascript/css. I think it is the best (even if it not perfect).
iPhone : Objective C. An old school language. It's better if you know C++.
Software Development Kit
Blackberry : Works on every platform, integrated with eclipse. I don't know why, I had always to reboot the emulator when I compiled. You can use a debugger, you have the auto completion
Android : Works on eclipse too. Very closed too Blackberry SDK.
WebOs : No debugger, No auto completion. Only code coloration. The good thing is the emulator that works really well.
iPhone : Works only on Mac… I don't really like XCode but the sdk is nice.
App Catalog
Blackberry App World: 200$ fees at the beginning. You keep 80% of your sales revenues. They ask you some legal documents after you get started. You also have to buy a 20$ key to make your apps work on real devices. They take about 3 weeks to approve your app. There is almost no customer service. There is no way to refund your customers
Android Marketplace: 25$ fees. You keep 70% of your sales revenues. Very nice marketplace. Your app is published on the marketplace right after you submit it. Very nice process.
Palm e-commerce catalog: 100$ fees (5$ for me as early adopter). You keep 70%. Straightforward. You app takes 3 days to be reviewed after you get an answer from them contact manager. No purchase and download tracking for now. Customer service very useful.
iPhone App Store : Never tried. But it seems that there is too much apps.