Apps are where it’s at
Palm has announced that the second major version of its webOS mobile operating system has been made available to select developers. In a blog post, Palm confirmed that webOS 2.0 will be made available to end-users later this year.
This will mark the first major revision to the OS since HP acquired Palm five months ago. With its own mobile operating system, HP has the potential to take an Apple-like approach to the mobile device market and produce truly unique, distinctive, buzz-worthy products. It'll be designing its own SoCs next!
This announcement also implies that HP is keeping the Palm brand very much alive. Maybe we'll see the HP brand retained for Windows devices and Palm for webOS ones.
Here's a quick breakdown of what Palm thinks are the highlights of webOS 2.0, you can find a more detailed description here.
- Stacks: the automatic stacking (grouping) of related tasks
- Just Type: a universal search box that automatically suggests the app needed to address whatever is typed in it
- Exhibition: a full-screen mode that comes into effect when the device is on its charging dock
- Synergy: an extension of the syncing capability, allowing developer to determine what it can sync with.
- JavaScript Services: Node.js is built into webOS 2.0
- PDK Plug-ins: enhanced ability to develop plug-ins
- HTML5 enhancements: self explanatory
