Developers have begun releasing their homebrew apps to the world; and with the workaround that was found to install them through e-mail without rooting your Pre, now just about anyone can beef up their device with new programs and more.
One of the first apps is a simple Tip Calculator created by Jamie Zawinski, with functionality to help you to tip appropriately, split the bill between multiple people, and of course accurately account for taxes. The likes of this may be familiar to iPhone app enthusiasts. Another recent app comes from Pimp My Pre, which provides an improved ringtone and notification sound manager. There are still a few bugs to work out in the latter program, but so far the apps are looking promising (and free to boot).
However, the install loophole could make it too easy for inexperienced users to install unfamiliar programs, and could be a security risk for malware to make its way onto devices of unsuspecting users. Could Palm patch it up with a future update? This would shut out many casual users from installing homebrew apps while they wait for the App Catalog to pick up after the SDK is released later this year. Even if the e-mail install method is disabled, progressive developers will likely find alternate ways of loading their apps onto the Pre.
via Precentral
0 Comments