HP webOS Developer Blog

We continuously strive to provide webOS developers with the resources and support they need to be successful with webOS. That’s why we’re excited about offering our Developer Device Program now to webOS developers in Europe. If you’re actively developing a webOS app, our device program makes it easy and affordable to get the devices you need to test and optimize your apps.

It’s easy to get started
We are launching the Developer Device Program for Europe, starting with Pre 2 GSM unlocked devices at a discounted price of £245.00. Just email PDC@palm.com with “European Pre 2 device” in the subject line and we’ll work with you on how you can qualify for this program.

It’s a great time to be a webOS developer, from all-new webOS devices to developing game-changing apps for the HP TouchPad with the webOS 3.0 SDK, available in our Early Access program. In expanding our developer device program to our friends in Europe, it just got better.

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When it comes to testing how an app works for any given device, we know that there’s no substitute for the real thing. And of course, we want to give webOS developers all the support they need to make great apps. That’s why we’re excited to offer the all-new HP Veer 4G for AT&T through our Developer Device Program for $279.00.

If you’re not already familiar with our device program, we offer devices at a discounted price to qualified developers who are committed to and actively developing apps for webOS. If you’re interested in participating – and with something as cool as the new Veer, who wouldn’t be – just send an email to PDC@palm.com with “Veer device program” in the subject line to request a coupon. From there, we’ll work with you to see if you qualify for the program.

Friendly reminder – we handle requests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be assured that once you send us an email about qualifying for the program, we’ll respond to you as soon as possible.

View terms and conditions

We know developers have been working hard to create great apps in time for the HP TouchPad’s summer launch. Now, we want to reward that hard work and support developer efforts with a very special offer, which we’re starting at webOS CONNECT Paris and Berlin. So if you haven’t yet, register for webOS CONNECT – we’re about to give you a big reason why you should be there.

If you’ve been developing a great TouchPad app, come and show us at one of our webOS CONNECT events. We would like to select a number of developers to receive an HP TouchPad when it launches this summer. If you’ve been developing an app for the TouchPad, you could be one of the first people to get one when it’s available this summer.

Why are we doing this? We want to help support and reward developers who are committed to delivering great apps – especially those who are getting their app ready for TouchPad’s summer launch. We want to give you the tools you need to be successful with webOS.

So, if you have an app you’d like us to consider, register for webOS CONNECT Paris and Berlin, come to the event and show us your app. You could be one of the first to get an HP TouchPad!

Can’t make it to webOS CONNECT?

If you can’t attend webOS CONNECT, we’ll be making the same offer to developers who attend an upcoming webOS workshop.

You can also email us at TouchPadSDK@palm.com and one of our app specialists will work with you to see how you can qualify for this program.  The offer is valid while supplies last.

Read below for basic rules and additional terms and conditions.

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Hey everyone, webOS CONNECT Paris and Berlin are coming up next week. If you haven’t yet, register now for what we know will be a really fun evening of great talks, the chance to hang out with others over some good food and time to meet Richard Kerris, our VP of webOS Developer Relations and others on the HP webOS team.

Both events are free and open to the public, so we invite you to register now:

webOS CONNECT Paris, Wednesday, May 25
Time: 5:30-9:30 PM
Place: Le Kare Magik, 45 bis Edouard Vaillant Avenue Bolougne, Billancourt/Paris

webOS CONNECT Berlin, Friday, May 27
Time: 5:30-9:30 PM
Place: Spindler & Klatt, Köpenicker Str. 16-17 10997 Berlin

So spread the word, get your friends to register and join us for great evenings in Paris and Berlin!

Register now

Are you currently developing a TouchPad app and looking for that extra boost to get it done? Would you like to test your app on TouchPad hardware, or get your questions answered by the HP webOS team? Then it’s time to sign up for a webOS workshop:

These one-day workshops are specifically geared for developers that are actively working on a TouchPad app, who could benefit from in-depth sessions on using webOS 3.0:

- Get expert guidance on webOS 3.0 development tools and UI/UX
- Test and optimize your apps with TouchPad hardware
- Work on apps and get direct help from the webOS team

We’ve set dates for upcoming webOS workshops at HP’s Palm campus in Sunnyvale, California:

- Thursday, June 9
- Thursday, June 16

Our registration page has information on the structure of these workshops and other helpful details. We have limited space at these workshops, so sign up for a webOS workshop now.

We’re all thrilled – as you are – that the all-new HP Veer is finally here. But we know from reading the blogs and the forums that many of you are asking, basically, where’s the big promotional push around the Veer? Why doesn’t the store I inquired with have any in stock, or in some cases, know when they’re supposed to have them? When can people get one?

We wanted to quickly address these questions. And we are actively getting the word out on other channels to make sure people have the right information about when, where and how they can get the Veer. We know it’s particularly relevant to webOS developers that have worked hard and are working hard to optimize their apps for the Veer.

First off, we are making a big push around the Veer and you’ll start to see that in the weeks ahead. Of course, we’re also making sure sales representatives across our channels are properly trained on all the great things about the Veer. In addition, advertising and demand generation activities will be kicking off later this month, so the Veer will be everywhere.

Some quick notes on availability:

- You can order the Veer from AT&T online, Best Buy online (black and white) and HP.com.
- The Veer is also available at select AT&T stores now, rolling out to more stores soon
- Planned availability for Best Buy in-store starting May 22

That’s just a really quick overview and this is only the beginning. We’re excited to get the Veer and future webOS products into everyone’s hands. And once people do get their hands on one, they have plenty of good things to say – check out what the Wall Street Journal had to say.

We appreciate everyone’s passion in raising these questions and wanting to make sure that everyone knows the Veer is here.

There comes a time in a Linux-loving geek’s life when he or she needs a new challenge. Making desktop apps isn’t hacking it anymore and building yet-another-website seems passe.  If you want to jump into the world of mobile, here are a few reasons why HP webOS is the platform for you.

#1: It’s free.

There’s no cost to become a developer.  You don’t have to pay any sort of fee to download the SDK or submit apps. The webOS emulator is free and our tools support development on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. We also have discount programs to help developers to get their hands on real devices.

#2: We give you full access to your device.

You don’t have to jailbreak or root your device.What other platforms call jailbreaking or rooting, we call entering developer mode.  We don’t make you jump through hoops, purchase device certificates.  or use questionable tools; instead, we provide simple shortcuts from our launcher and phone apps.  Just tap on the “Just Type” search bar and enter “upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart” (the classic NES Konami code!); an icon appears that lets you toggle this mode on and off. In developer mode, you can get full access to the device over your USB cable.

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We’ve all been waiting and the wait is almost over. The HP Veer, available on May 15, is one powerfully small smartphone, and the first in a wave of all-new webOS devices slated for this year. When you get your hands on one, you’ll see what a marvel it is to have so much webOS goodness in such a tiny, sleek form factor.

Having said that, we can all appreciate that it’s great apps – your apps – that’ll really make the Veer shine. If your app supports or is optimized for Pixi, we’re making it easy for happy Veer owners to use your app:

- We’ll automatically mark existing Pixi apps as available for Veer in the App Catalog – no action required on your part

- Developers with new or updated apps will have the option to select and make their app available for Veer

That’s all there is to it. All the work you’ve done to support Pixi instantly translates over to the latest webOS device.

As we mentioned a while back, there’s still a great opportunity for developers with existing Mojo-based apps to support all-new webOS smartphones like the Veer – and lots of new customers in the process.

If you’re a developer that’s new to webOS, get the webOS 3.0 SDK and start developing with Enyo. It’s the next generation of webOS, and all your work will support the upcoming HP TouchPad and future webOS devices.

Convenient app billing for AT&T customers

We are also excited to offer customers the option to be billed for apps they purchase in the App Catalog through their AT&T account. It’s a great option that makes it even more convenient for customers to access your apps.

In the meantime, let’s all celebrate that the Veer is coming!

We invite you to join us at our upcoming webOS CONNECT events in Paris and Berlin this month. Both events are free and open to the public, so we invite you to register now:

webOS CONNECT Paris, Wednesday, May 25
Time: 5:30-9:30 PM
Place: Le Kare Magik, 45 bis Edouard Vaillant Avenue Bolougne, Billancourt/Paris

webOS CONNECT Berlin, Friday, May 27
Time: 5:30-9:30 PM
Place: Spindler & Klatt, Köpenicker Str. 16-17 10997 Berlin

As we mentioned in previous posts, it’s a great opportunity for people to:

- Meet Richard Kerris, VP of webOS Developer Relations and others on the webOS team
- Learn from best practices of other webOS developers
- Network with the webOS community over some good food and fun

Whether you’re a current webOS developer or know people that just want to learn more about webOS, bring your friends and join us!

Register now