Earlier, we reported on several interviews conducted with up-and-coming webOS developers by PDA-247. These included Loftcat, Iambic, Resco, and Natara. Today, we look at three more developer interviews to round off the series, as well as the overall impressions of how PalmOS developers feel about the new webOS. To summarize the main points:
Tamoggemon: The Pre's hardware "does not deserve praise", primarily because high specs are a "must-have" in today's industry. Build quality is what will really make or break the Pre. There are no plans to develop for webOS immediately, but he predicts that there are "a lot of stuff upcoming for the webOS". Palm is back in the game sales-wise, but PalmOS apps are done for.
Creative Algorithms: The Pre hardware addresses missing features of the iPhone, and they were "pleasantly surprised" of the decision to go with a web-type interface in webOS. They do plan to develop for the new OS, but it's a question of WHEN they will. Only when the Pre has the market share to support it, then they will prioritize porting existing software over. Palm is back in the game, but are "starting from scratch" with webOS.
Ilium Software: In regards to the Pre they like what they see, and at the very least, will be competitive in the market. If the platform is as compelling as the iPhone, then they will seriously consider putting resources into webOS development. The web-based experience of the Pre makes it perfect for their eWallet application. Palm never was out of the game, even after abandoning the Foleo, and they would love to see the Pre succeed.
To summarize, the overall impression was that established PalmOS developers would wait it out, to first see mass-market reaction to the Pre before putting resources into webOS development and porting existing titles over. Some were enthusiastic to start the transition, while others were ready to shelve their product lineup until a later time. Finally, while third party software will be the driving force of webOS, many existing PalmOS favorites may take a long time to reappear, and some may not make the cut at all.
Just yesterday, Palm CEO Ed Colligan announced that PalmOS would be done for good, so PalmOS developers will no doubt start to see dramatic dropoffs in sales as older devices are phased out. Whether older apps will make the transition over will, for the most part, depend on the success of the Pre and webOS.
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