Palm WebOS
From wsuwiki
Contents |
Introduction
Palm WebOS is a revolutionary mobile platform based off of the Access Linux Platform. It was designed to keep a constant connection to the Internet. WebOS uses industry standard programing languages like CSS, XHTML, AJAX, and Java script to harness a seamless integration of information. WebOS synchronizes all the users information like calender, address book, social networking and other Web 2.0 based information systems.
History
WebOS was announced on January 8th 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada to be the mobile platform on the Sprint exclusive phone the Palm Pre. It is the successor of previous Palm OS platform found on devices such as the Palm Centro. Users found that Palm OS was inefficient since you can only run one application at a time, thus WebOS is their solution.
Features
This mobile platform conforms to a Web 2.0 based model similar to the Apple iPhone. It allows users to become developers and post new applications on mobile app store, where other users can download and use the software. To develop a new application the user can download a tool called mojo, where they use the familiar code like HTML 5, Java, and CSS to build their new applications.
The interface allows users to switch between simultaneusly running applications with simply by swiping the touch screen. It also features a multi-touch sensitivity which can be used in any built application. For instance, while browsing the webs, touching the screen with two fingers near each other, then sliding them away will access the zoom feature and the browser will zoom in.
The messaging features SMS, MMS and instant messaging with AIM and Google Talk. While other platforms like iPhone OS or Windows Mobile feature these as well. WebOS binds these together into a single thread, the user does not have to wonder what means of messaging they are using, WebOS integrates all these messaging platforms.
WebOS automatically synchronizes Facebook profile pictures with the address book and displays pictures in messaging and in phone calls.
Also, it links calendars with Facebook and email clients to keep users from having to enter events in to calendars multiple times. However, it also separates this information by color, giving a new color to each source. This technology they call "Synergy". The calendar also features an accordion like view mode, where it shrinks all free time so more events can be viewed on a single screen.
WebOS features a universal search. This search is done by simply typing in the main screen keywords to what you're looking for. It will then search the address book, applications, and storage for your keywords. While displaying the results, WebOS will also give the user options to search Google, Google Maps, Twitter, or Wikipedia.
References
Palm, Palm Development
Ryan Kairer, "Digging Through the Latest webOS Developer Details" Digging Through...
Ed Hardy, "Palm Pre and WebOS preview" Palm Pre and WebOS preview
Bill Ray "Android and WebOS join iPhone on AT&T" Android and WebOS join iPhone on AT&T