HP webOS Developer Blog

When we introduced the HP TouchPad earlier this year, we wanted everyone to “think big.” Today, we’ve got some big updates to share.

Start submitting your TouchPad apps today
Ever since we released the webOS 3.0 SDK in our Early Access program, we’ve had a tremendous response from developers who have eagerly started creating apps for the first webOS tablet. Starting now, we’re opening the doors, so to speak, allowing developers to submit their TouchPad apps to the HP webOS App Catalog.

When you log in to your account, the My Apps tab now allows you to specify that your app is compatible with the TouchPad and select webOS 3.0 as the minimum OS required. Check out our help article for more details, as well as our recommendations for naming your app.

In-app purchase debuts
We’re also incredibly excited to announce that in-app purchases are coming to webOS 3.0, and developers can get started with it today. This is a big addition to the webOS platform, giving developers the ability to:

- Provide customers with in-app access to premium features and compelling content
- Leverage new opportunities to monetize their apps
- Receive payments for user-purchased content easily and securely

We’re rolling out in-app purchase in a few stages. Today, if you have a registered Developer Account, you can log in and start creating items. The next Early Access release of the SDK will include documentation on adding in-app purchase code to your apps. Then, in a couple of weeks, we plan on allowing developers to formally submit in-app items for review.  You can reference our help article for additional details.

We can’t wait – along with customers – to see what developers can do with in-app purchases.

Note about current Mojo-based and PDK apps on TouchPad
Besides all the great apps specifically made for TouchPad, we’re making it easy for TouchPad users to enjoy thousands of existing webOS apps. First, we’ll automatically promote all Mojo apps to be available to TouchPad users in the App Catalog. These apps will run in “Mojo compatibility mode,” a window sized for the app’s original resolution, which provides a software keyboard and onscreen gesture area. We recommend testing your Mojo apps to make sure they work well in compatibility mode.

Read more ‣

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.

Learn more

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

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.

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

You’ve made a great app. You know that if someone just tries it, they’re going to love it. And they’re going to tell everyone they know about it. For developers that offer paid apps, anything that makes it easier for someone to try their app can make a world of difference. Today, we’re giving developers another way to do just that.

Developers now have the ability to generate promo codes, giving you new ways to market and distribute apps. You can use promo codes to easily offer free review copies to press, or exercise your creativity by doing giveaways for special campaigns.

No matter how you decide to use them, you have a lot of flexibility in what you can do. We also give you easy ways to track and manage promo codes, which is especially helpful if you offer multiple apps:

- Generate up to 1,000 promo codes for each major release of your app, which are valid up to 60 days.
- Create promo codes for campaigns – for an unlimited number of campaigns
- Track and manage codes: View status, revoke codes, download code histories

So, what are you waiting for? Make it even easier for people to try your great app.

Log in to your account to start creating and managing promo codes. For more information on using them, check out our help article.

Building on the excitement and good times we had at webOS CONNECT London, the fun continues with a pair of upcoming webOS CONNECT events in Paris and Berlin, slated for May.

Whether you’re an experienced webOS developer or someone that just wants to learn and see what all the webOS buzz is about, these events are the perfect opportunity 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

With the webOS 3.0 SDK out in Early Access and all-new webOS devices coming, there’s so much to talk about and we want to bring everyone together to share in all of it and have a good time.

Register now and plan on bringing a friend or two. We’ll see you there!