Author: Robert Werlinger

Simple games that help to pass the time are great, and Lunar Attack ($0.99 in the App Catalog), a Missile Command clone, fits the bill nicely.  Gameplay is straightforward –  you shoot down incoming missiles and protect your base by tapping on the touch screen to aim your weapon.  As you run out of ammo, tanker trucks will come in to refill your stockpile, and in the event one of your bases gets destroyed, the game will generate a new one for you to guide back down to the planet using the phone’s accelerometer. There are three difficulty levels, and the game automatically saves your progress and allows you to upload your score to a global leader board.

A dollar isn’t an outrageous price for a game like this, but these < $0.99 game developers should probably start stepping their game up, as many of the free Flash based games that’ll be available when the plug-in hits the Catalog will offer superior game play and graphics than what these games typically offer.  The advantage with a native app, of course, is that you can play anytime, anywhere regardless of data connectivity.

Oh, daylight savings time changes.  You wreak havok on our sleep schedules and evidently, our phones. A number of users (this blogger included) have been experiencing odd behavior from their phones with today’s time change.

One bug users are noticing is that the time displayed in the top bar is different than that of what’s shown on the lock screen and in the clock app.  The issue doesn’t appear to be affecting the  functionality of the core PIM apps, as calendar entries and emails are all showing the correct time stamp.  The other issue being reported is less benign, and users in this forum thread are finding that calendar entries are shifting a full hour ahead of the actual time – a major inconvenience to be sure.  

Toggling airplane mode or performing a reset has been found to remedy the issue in both cases for some, though the issues have persisted for most of those who have been experiencing them. 

So while we get to the bottom of what might be causing this, let us know in the comments: have you experienced any DST bugs today?

Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

We were pleasantly surprised by the significant upgrade Palm made to its Facebook app a few weeks back, one that brought us the ability to view profiles, check events, manage our inboxes, and more.  The newest iteration, currently available in the Beta channel, brings the ability to view Facebook video (something the iPhone app can’t do), utilize shortcut keys, and use enhanced mailbox management options:

On the heels of the release of Facebook 1.1, comes the first Facebook Beta application with some cool new features such as Facebook video support – play Facebook videos in your stream, Shortcut keys – jump to sections by holding down the SYM key and : N = news stream, P = photos, S = search, I = inbox, U = your profile, E = events;Facebook comments stand out colored Facebook blue and access updates and joining messages and Sent mail, along with a bunch of bug fixes and enhanced error messages.

The Developer Relations Team, who have used the rewrite of the app as an exercise in "dogfooding", have promised that they will iterate on the app early and often. They’re definitely making good on their word. 

Update: Ben and Dion have a post up detailing the update. As they note, "Beta means beta," so don’t panic if there are bugs in the app.

Palm has finally rolled out its Developer Purchase Program, allowing developers to purchase webOS based phones without a contract for 20% off, with free 2 day shipping thrown in to sweeten the deal.  That 20% discount lets you to pick up the Pre for $439 , the Pre Plus for $479, the Pixi and Pixi Plus for $319.99 for every carrier currently selling the devices. For now, shipments are limited to US and Canadian addresses only.

There’s no AT&T Pre to choose from just yet, but know that one can always purchase the UK O2 Pre and use the webOS Meta-Doctor and use it domestically with WiFi-only data connectivity.

Google has updated its Product Search for Mobile, allowing your search queries to to check the stock levels and availability of products in your area, bringing the overall experience closer to that of what you’re used to on the desktop.  To use the new features, enter in the product you’re looking for, hit the "more" button in the upper right hand corver, select "shopping", and you’re ready to go – vendors that stock the product you’re after will display a blue dot and an "in stock nearby link".  It appears that only larger companies are participating in the program so far, but it’s looking like Google is eager to include to smaller ones as well.

Thanks to John for the tip!

DoubleTwist, one of the more popular non-iTunes media syncing solutions for webOS, has received a significant upgrade bringing the ability to search for and automatically sync audio and video podcasts utilizing the "largest integrated pocast search engine in the world".  DoubleTwist already has Amazon MP3 integration, and the ability to take care of all of your podcast catching and syncing needs brings this program closer to being one of the most robust in this category.

Sure, the excellent drPodder podcatching app finally hit the Catalog this week and should satisfy the podcast consuming habits of most, but there’s something to be said about being able to manage and sync all of your media from one program.

The update is Windows-only for now, but Mac support should be coming soon.

Scenario. You’re gearing up to take a quick 20 minute nap.  You lay down, and just as you’re about to fall asleep, the inevitable happens: the phone rings, an important email hits, or some other distraction pops up to rob you of your well deserved rest.  Blast!  Now you’ve got to open the clock app, and reset the alarm for another 20 minutes away using the sometimes cumbersome number pickers.

Rinse, repeat, and soon enough you’ll just give up on napping and move on with the rest your day.  One solution to this rather inconvenient cycle comes in the form of PowerNap ($0.99 in the App Catalog), an application that allows you to quickly set the desired duration of your nap using a cleverly implemented dashboard control.  Tapping the plus or the minus instantly adds or subtracts 5 minutes from the duration of the alarm.  You can also select the duration of your nap by using a slider as opposed to the drop down pickers you’ll find in the clock app, making the  process of getting back to sleep even faster.  Custom alerts can of course be selected, and the program even randomizes the vibration pattern so you don’t confuse your nap alarm with other vibration alerts if you run with your phone on silent.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m feeling a little sleepy…

Engadget visited with Palm today at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco and were able to gather some rather interesting information regarding the PDK (Plug-in Development Kit) and Flash. First, that applications utilizing the PDK won’t be limited to the Pre and Pre Plus as previously thought, allowing developers to bring 3D games and applications that are built with a combination of the PDK and SDK to the Pixi with a performance difference similar to that of what you would  "see between the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS."

We already know that the ability to release PDK based apps into the Catalog will come around the "second half of the year" with a webOS update, and we’re also familiar with some of  the finer technical details regarding SDL and that developers will be able to mix and match components of the PDK with the SDK.

Palm also told Engadget that Flash will only work in the Browser  and can’t be embedded into regular Mojo apps as components from the PDK can be, a revelation that’s surely to come as a dissapointment to developers that were looking forward to utilizing that functionality in their applications.  If Palm is planning on implementing deeper access is anyone’s guess, but Flash in the browser is better than no Flash at all, right?

Back to the PDK and the Pixi – we’re still confirming some details and should have video evidence of PDK based applications running on the Pixi up by tomorrow.  

We’ll have more details from our own meeting with Palm tomorrow, stay tuned!

Thanks to mrloserpunk for the tip!

It’s here!  Gowalla, the hotly anticipated location-based social app, has finally hit the App Catalog, joining the likes of Foursquare and BrightKite (check out Parafoil on webOS for that).  Like Foursquare, Gowalla allows users can "check-in" to places and alert their friends via the app, Facebook and Twitter to where they are, and app logs all of your travels in a virtual passport.  Instead of  mayorships, badges and the somewhat competitive nature of Foursquare, Gowalla get virtual goods which can be dropped or picked up in various locations, stamps for places you’ve visited, pins, and a number of "trips" to complete.

The location space in mobile is rapidly heating up, with companies like Yelp, Facebook and Google getting into the game, and it’s great to see these kinds of apps coming to webOS in such short order.

So, Foursquare users: now that you’ve got another choice, how many of you are going to make the switch?

 Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

If there was any doubt that Verizon is looking to turn things around after sluggish initial sales of the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus, it’s time to put those to rest. After dropping the mail-in rebates in their own stores, it looks like The Network is making it easier for 3rd parties to sell the Pre Plus at lower prices. Our own Wirefly affiliate has the Palm Pre Plus for $39.99 for new Verizon customers after instant rebate and still has the Palm Pixi Plus for the low low price of free (yes, those are ‘support PreCentral’ links). Amazon is also selling the Pre Plus for the $39.99 and the Pixi Plus for one cent.

The best part about the above options is that, unlike what seems to be happening at most Verizon retail locations, when you use them you won’t have a Verizon employee trying to convince you that you should get a Droid instead.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

The Seidio Innocell 2600mAh Extended Battery for the Palm Pre will add noticeable bulk – there’s no question about that. The question is this: does the substantial improvement in battery life (and I do mean substantial) make the sacrifice in form factor worthwhile?

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Here’s some of the latest discussion in the forums:

• There’s no question that Verizon’s execution of Palm’s launch has been less than spectacular.  New webOS users are sharing the experience of buying their new Pre Plus or Pixi Plus from Verizon.  The gist of the thread?  Palm had better hope that project JumpStart works.
• Some people still have "homebrewaphobia", a fear that installing programs like Preware and the hundreds of apps and patches made available by doing so will harm their phone.  Worry no longer friends, as the words of the wise PreCentral forum members help to dispatch those fears once and for all.
• The GSM Pre forum is buzzing with speculation about when paid apps are going to hit non-US territories this month.  My bet? Next weeks Game Developers Conference (which will be covered by TiPb’s Renee Ritchie!).
• Attention webOS developers in Silicon Valley: member krid is putting together a developer meetup on March 16th complete with a speech from the Palm Developer Relations Crew. Are you in?

We look forward to seeing you in the forums.  Not a member?  There’s no time like the present. 

Now that gDial Pro is no longer in the picture, there’s a real void in the native visual voicemail application space for webOS.  Sure, Google Voice has a fantastic web interface, but it’ll never compare to an actual on-device application.   Until better GV support comes to webOS, YouView ($3.99 in the Catalog) – which was plugged on Palm’s official blog in its homebrew days – should satisfy (or even convince you to switch) your on-device visual voicemail needs.

The YouMail service is free after purchasing the app, and offers voicemail management from the phone and the online interface at youmail.com.  The free service plan does not include transcriptions, which isn’t a big deal – it’s not like the transcriptions offered by Google Voice are actually usable.  For various monthly fees YouMail does offer transcription of the first minute of or of a voicemail, and those transcripts are actually accurate (shocker!).

The user interface is excellent, and even in its current beta form (0.5.21 as of this writing), the program runs great.  Unlike gDial Pro, YouMail can link into Synergy, and there’s a myriad of greeting options – from smart greetings that greet callers by name to case specific greetings for blocked and unknown numbers – that go into making the use of this program a treat.

Verizon Pre Plus and Pixi Plus owners are reporting that 1.4 brought with it (along with the already documented additions and enhancements) the ability to change the default Web search engine for the browser and for Universal Search. Once this option is changed in the Browser preferences menu, Google is replaced with the proper Bing logo in Universal Search. We’ve only been hearing these reports from Verizon users so far – inexplicitly, everyone else  has Google as the only option in the default search engine field.

Rumors surfaced (and were later confirmed and subsequently put into perspective) last month that Palm had suspended its manufacturing activates in China. The reason for that pause in production, Palm said in an official statement, was due to the Chinese New Year. It’s not unusual, as it turns out, for manufacturing companies in China to shut down for up to a month during the annual holiday, though some are convinced that there was a little more going on here than a business-as-usual production pause.

Regardless, it now appears that Palm’s manufacturing activities are back on track. CNBC’s Jim Goldman reports that production activities are back to normal. Palm confirmed to PreCentral that "manufacturing ramped back up at the end of February," noting that they "ramped up manufacturing prior to February in anticipation of Chinese New Year, then suspended it until late last month." As John Paczkowski notes at All Things D, the ramp up purportedly happened on February 22nd, "ironically, […] right before" Palm released their updated guidance about poor sales.

In any case, the company’s manufacturing phones again – huzzah!

Thanks to everyone that sent this in!

FriendsFlow ($1.99 in the App Catalog) has been around in various incarnations since before there were paid apps, being one of the very first third party Facebook clients for webOS in the homebrew section. Since then, Palm has released its own Facebook App, another third party app called FriendsBook has hit, and Facebook has been updating their mobile site on a consistent basis. So that begs the question: how does the only paid Facebook app in the Catalog stack up against the competition?

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Here’s some of the latest discussion from the forums:

• Did some kind of an update hit recently? Just kidding! Members are talking up a storm about what was delivered to us in Palm’s latest Over The Air update.
• We took a look at the pictures thread last week, but now the Pre and the Pixi officially have video recording capabilities! Join other forum members and share your first videos here.
• Curious if the developers behind webOS have a sense of humor? From the evidence forum members are finding in the form of amusing comments left in the code, the answer is yes.
• The PreCentral forums are more than just a great place to talk about the latest in hardware and software, they’re a great place to talk and debate about the business side of Palm. User Jakrome is unhappy with Palm’s management in light of recent events. Others? Not so much.
• Have you ever wondered about the developers behind some of your favorite homebrew apps turned App Catalog success stories? Suruat has started a thread inviting developers to introduce themselves and give a little insight into their backgrounds. 

We look forward to seeing you in the forums! If you not a member, there’s no time like the present to become one. Remember: Registration is free, and the benefits are immense indeed. 

(Oh, and one last thing I forgot to mention last week: huge props to your favorite PreCentral editor Derek Kessler for the new and improved From the Forums graphic.  It’s pretty cool, no?)

We’ve all been there: we’re about to enter an area with bad or no cell phone service, and we need access to a web page that has important information such as directions or a map.  Currently, the browser in webOS is incapable of saving a webpage for offline viewing, and open browser cards will often times force a refresh of the page if left alone for too long. 

The solution? PDFMyWeb ($0.99 in the App Catalog), a lightweight utility that captures web pages and saves them as a PDF file for offline viewing.  The process is simple – type the desired URL into field, tap ‘Get PDF,’ and a PDF of the desired website is created in about a minute.  The result is PDF file with highly-readable resolution-independent text and all the images on the page. In the case of the PreCentral front page, that PDF came to 1.5MB and six pages long.

Sure, one could simply perform a screenshot (opt + sym + p ) of the desired information for later viewing, but the advantage of PDFMyWeb is that it captures the entire webpage in one fell swoop, and that’s convenience worth paying for.

Palm’s failure to gain traction with variations of the Pre and Pixi in several key markets, including the crucial North American market, has been troubling to fans and investors alike. The handsets are compelling products to be sure, but it’s quickly becoming apparent that jump-starting the company’s sales efforts may require the release of a new flagship device to increase consumer mindshare against current (Droid, 3GS, et al) and future (refreshed iPhone, new Android devices) competition.

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Palm is well aware of this fact and is actively developing a new handset (C40, anyone?) for release later this year. This, in combination with a better-executed launch on AT&T later this year, could will hopefully help.

This probably isn’t a terribly shocking revelation to many as it’s generally been anticipated that Palm would release updated hardware around the time the original Pre was released last year on Sprint (June). The real question is this: Can updated hardware and new carrier partnerships get Palm back on track to realize its sales goals?

[via everythingpre]

Before I reviewed the Plantronics BackBeat 903 Bluetooth Stereo Headphones, I honestly didn’t believe that you could find headphones that sound good, are comfortable and are somewhat stylish.

Read on for the full review!

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