App Catalog: New Submissions and New Manager Wanted
Palm has started a new round of App Catalog submissions. Earlier today Early Access Program participants got the email from Palm letting them know it's time. Currently it's just open to 'Early Access Program' developers, but the email hints at full open submissions in the near future.
[...] As Palm moves forward with our Application Catalog development, we’re looking for a select set of high-caliber developers who want to be on the inside track as we shift gears to the next phase (and before we open the flood gates to application submissions from the thousands and thousands of developers who have downloaded the Public Mojo SDK).
The email then goes on to describe how you can make an early submission, get a chance for increased exposure through Palm's marketing, and get 'personalized attention.' Palm also wants deets like when you expect it to be complete, business model of your app: free or paid or ad-supported, what country you want it available for, etc. Here's some links to check before you submit: Application Checklist, Top UI Tips, Performance Optimization, and WebOS User Interface Guidelines [pdf link].
Meanwhile, our tipsters have tracked down yet another intriguing job opportunity at Palm: Lead App Catalog Administrator. We have to say: just reading through this description makes us very optimistic that Palm's App Catalog policies won't look like Apple's mess:
The successful candidate will be a skilled communicator adept at resolving complex, sensitive issues. This position will be working under an aggressive schedule to cultivate developer relationships and resolve escalations in a timely manner. Needs to be able to organize and prioritize a heavy workload and be able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and has strong customer service skills.
So if you're waiting for App Catalog goodness, be patient -- Palm is clearly moving as fast as humanly possible without tripping and landing on their face. If you can't be patient, you know what to do.
Palm Job Listings Hint At The Future Of WebOS
Oh how we love job listings that reveal tantalizing details of upcoming plans. We especially love these two listings that just recently came to our attention.
First off is a job that was apparently listed way back on May 8th on Palm's career page:
VPN Network Engineer
To work with the Linux networking components to create a great networking experience for Palm's WebOS platform. This includes modifying open-source software to meet the needs for an embedded device, developing and maintaining WebOS specific VPN networking components.
Looks like those who wanted VPN on the Pre may get their wishes. It is a bit distressing this listing was posted back in May yet still hasn't been filled. Hopefully Palm will find a developer for this soon.
The second job listing in question was posted on the Mary-Margaret Network and really is just what the doctor ordered:
Game Frameworks Engineer
Palm is looking for developers who are passionate about gaming, handhelds, mobile communication and the possibilities for Palm in the gaming arena. The software developers we’re looking for will have strong mathematical/analytical skills and will be effective team members in a small, focused initiative.
Responsibilities: Design, implement, debug, and optimize frameworks for game development
Wow! This job listing is pretty fresh, being posted only on June 29th, but once the position gets filled, it'll really give something for developers to look forward to. Then disgruntled iPhone developers won't be able to brag how our Mojo SDK is bad for gaming (even though from the start Palm's been upfront about that). Aw, who are we kidding? They'll probably still complain anyway.
The way I see it, either Palm plans to create some gaming framework that has access via HTML/CSS/JavaScript but is run via a native graphics engine, or this our first hint of a native Linux SDK in the works. Though, as much as I'd like a native SDK, chances are we won't be seeing one for a while yet.
Thanks to Lisa and crazytexan for the tips.
