Not too long ago there was kernal patch that was made available for the Palm Pre by the WebOS community which essentially allowed users to overclock the CPU inside the smartphone all the way to 800 MHz. Despite the individual efforts to provide owners of the device some extra speed, Palm’s stance on the issue isn’t quite lively when you look closely at it. Although they clearly state that they appreciate the efforts made by the WebOS community, they’re really not too keen on promoting its idea as they neither endorse nor recommend it. They’ve even gone as far as saying that the use of the kernal patch on the device will likely result in a voided warranty and encourage owners to use Palm approved official updates. Naturally they’re discouraging the use of the unofficial “overclocking” patch – but they do applaud the efforts as they continue to try and improve the speed performance through their official updates.
source: Palm

WebOS users were finally treated to an official Facebook app not too long ago, but it looks like it’s already getting an update that provides some new enhancements. Facebook 1.1.2 Beta adds the much wanted Facebook notifications which essentially displays a banner and dashboard that will alert users to the pertinent information directly from their handset without having to open up or move to the application. On the brighter side of things, the latest version is also available to all Palm Pre and Pixi units internationally which includes all of the “Plus” models as well. Finally, it now offers support for keyboard shortcuts that utilizes Palm’s native “gesture area + key.” It’s nice to see that the developer is constantly improving the services while Palm is hopeful in making a full recovery to get back to the level they envisioned themselves to be at.
via The Unwired

Even though the words “coming months” attached to the Palm Pre Plus & Pixi Plus models for AT&T might indicate a time frame from now to something like six months down the road, the latter of the two devices might already have a head start. There was a Palm label with the model P121UNA seen over at the FCC which might indicate that it’s the expect Palm Pix Plus that’s bound for AT&T. The findings can be found in the “P121” which indicates a Palm Pixi while the “UNA” means that it’ll be for the North American GSM market. Even though the Palm Pixi Plus has its head poking around the FCC first, we’d imagine that both Palm devices will be released at the same time – so it shouldn’t be too long now before AT&T customers can finally check out what WebOS is all about. Let’s just hope that it isn’t too late for the veteran smartphone maker to really turn things around as they embark on a journey with the second largest wireless carrier in the country.
source: FCC via Ubergizmo

Both Android and BlackBerry owners who are on Verizon Wireless are starting to get their fill of Skype, but long time Windows Mobile users are still feeling a bit left out since their version was pulled out from Skype’s web site a few weeks ago. All fingers of course pointed to Big Red who played a major role in axing the support for the long time mobile platform, but there is still a shred of hope that it may come back soon. Even though some may argue about Skype’s reasoning behind ending support for Windows Mobile was a bit harsh, a recent internal memo hints to an eventual return for Windows Mobile and a new endeavor for WebOS. We’d imagine that there are still a number of Windows Mobile users in Big Red’s circle that would adore seeing an app, but it would also be equally nice for WebOS users as well to get into the mix of things. It makes more sense to offer support for the app to the platforms with the largest installed base – which undeniably would be Android and Blackberry. Luckily for Windows Mobile, they still might be the next in line to see the Skype app come back to the platform while WebOS might wait some time – that’s unless the recent price drops have really attracted customers in purchasing the handsets.
source: PreCentral via wmpoweruser

Palm’s App Catalog may not be home to the most innovative of applications, but that’s not stopping the veteran smartphone maker in enticing developers to make some quality apps for their home brewed mobile platform. In an attempt to really get some decent apps to WebOS owners, Palm has jump started their Hot Apps Programs which essentially aims to reward those developers whose apps are the most downloaded on the App Catalog. Developers are required to have their app available between February 1 and May 31 in order to qualify for some truly impressive cash prizes that range from six figures all the way down to the 1k mark. With that in mind, the incentive allows developers an additional source of motivation in coming up with the most unique and innovative apps to really capture the minds of WebOS owners out there. The contest will allow the most downloaded free and paid apps to win $100,000 just for their efforts – that’s a pretty substantial amount of cash to get them on board. Not ending there jut yet, the next 20 apps in each category will win $10,000 each while the next 200 after that will still obtain $1,000 for their efforts. In the grand scheme of things, Palm will not only need new hardware to stay afloat on their own, but the underlying apps for the platform will prove to be a big differentiator on how things will pan out for them.
source: Palm via SlashGear

Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein reportedly released a memo on Tuesday that seemed to announce a shift from the webOS platform to Android. The memo was supposed to be up on Wikileaks at midnight, which it never was. The important part of the memo reads, “While Palm is incredibly proud of our engineers who spent timeless work and effort to bring us this advanced operating system,consumers simply have not caught on. To provide a better future for ourselves and customers, the only logical choice is to transition our hardware and software to the Android platform.” According to Wired’s Gadget Lab and Engadget, a source inside Palm says that there is no plan to switch to Android and that the company is committed to webOS.

There is no question that Android is hot at the moment. Even Rubinstein said that the DROID’s launch at Verizon before the Pre Plus was one of the reasons why his phone is selling poorly at Big Red. But there are things that Palm can do with its OS. Considering that many analysts who hated the hardware of the two phones love the OS, Palm could license webOS to another company who can make superior handsets. Whatever move Palm makes-and time is running out-dumping their home grown OS for the same software everyone else is using seems unlikely.
source: Slashdot via GadgetLab and Engadget

Things are not going well for Palm. It’s hard to believe that when the Pre was introduced last year, things looked so promising for the manufacturer. Now, the stock is down to $4, the Pre and Pixi have been flops at Sprint, enhanced versions of both failed to sell at Verizon despite high hopes, and AT&T is having problems while testing the pair of webOS phones for its network. So, you ask, what else can go wrong? How about Verizon deciding to pull the plug on promoting the Pre? According to the Examiner, Big Red will stop promoting the Pre at the end of the month. The site’s tipster says people are coming into Verizon stores with the Pre in mind, but are flipped to the Android flavored Motorola DROID by reps. In L.A., industry analyst Paul Mueller blames several defective Palm units for some of the problem. Mueller says, “When a device gets returned, people hear about it. It may  not be publicized in the media, but word-of mouth is powerful.”  But there is no question that the DROID has taken many possible sales away from the Palm units. With a much larger hi-res screen, many more apps available, solid construction and the free turn-by-turn navigation, the Android device has become Verizon’s flagship model. The carrier’s initial spots for the Pre focused on how the smartphone was perfect for “Mom” and the gender specific ads might also have been part of the problem. By the time Big Red changed the focus of the campaign, it was already too late. So now what ELSE can happen to Palm?
source: Examiner

AT&T came up with a press-release to officially announce the upcoming availability of the webOS-powered Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus. Unfortunately, users won’t be able to enjoy the many advantages of Palm’s webOS soon, since both smartphones will become available sometime “in the coming months”, so the information hinting at a June or July release might turn out true (but we hope it won’t). Expect the Palm Pre Plus to cost $149.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. The  Palm Pixi Plus will be available for $49.99 on the same conditions.

Both handsets look identical to the models already found in Verizon’s catalog, except for these being GSM phones with 3G support on the 850/1900 MHz bands. Also, users will be able to use voice and data services simultaneously.

Both devices will be showcased at the CTIA event, so expect our coverage!
source: AT&T and TheOfficialPalmBlog

We’re starting to get close to the one year anniversary release of Palm’s rebirth with webOS as things are beginning to take a twisted turn for the long time smartphone company. Palm’s App Catalog had some humble beginnings with the limited amount of apps made available for the platform at its release, but now the tally comes in at 1700 applications. Still not even close to the levels of its competitors, Palm has been steady in getting apps released as it totaled in at over 1500 just a month ago. Despite the decent amount applications, developers might have a difficult stance on continuing the fight for Palm as the company faces a long road ahead in getting themselves turned around. We’ve seen some nice looking games being developed for the platform, but it’s going to take a lot more in keeping them in contention – rumors about a potential new handset in the future may give them the push required to turn their fortunes around. Undoubtedly 1700 applications might be garnered as a small milestone, but it’s still unclear if the long time company might be still floating around as the next pinnacle is reached.
via mypre

Palm reported a net loss of $22 million for the third quarter, a big improvement from the net loss of $98 million it posted in the third quarter last year. During the three month period, the manufacturer shipped 960,000 smartphones which was a 23% increase sequentially from the second quarter of this year and a whopping 300% increase from last year. Palm added Verizon as a vendor for the Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus which might explain the year over year improvement. Sell through was weak as 408,000 units changed hands in the quarter for a decline of 29% from last quarter and a 15% drop from last year. Jon Rubinstein, Palm’s CEO, said that because of the Pre and Pixi’s exclusivity period with Sprint, it could not launch at Verizon until after the DROID was released. The executive said that the timing made all the difference in the world as he said that had Palm’s handsets been launched before the DROID, they would have received the attention that the latter model received and would have outsold Time Magazine’s 2009 Gadget of The Year because-in Rubinstein’s words-”I believe we have a better product.” Considering that the Motoreola flagship model outsold the first-gen iPhone after 74 days as we reported, that seems like very wishful thinking on the CEO’s part. After all, there were some things of Palm’s own doing that did in the 2 phones such as an unfocused ad campaign, questionable build quality, lack of apps at launch, and small screens in a time where bigger is better. As we told you the other day, now it seems that AT&T is having problems getting the webOS duo ready for launch on its network. On the other hand, the DROID benefited from a powerful marketing campaign, tank-like construction, big screen with high resolution and the momentum of Androidmania
source: Palm