Filed under: Mobile Minute, Mobile
Palm makes WebOS app catalog browseable on the web - you know, like Apple's should be
Palm Pre owners (and curious types) can now enjoy a bit more open experience. As it turns out, Palm thinks it's a great idea for people to be able to see what apps are out there. Not on some new-Pre-app blog. Not in some bloated desktop app. Right on Palm's web site.
What an amazingly simple idea! Now, prospective (and current) Pre and Pixi owners can take a look at all the cool apps they can install on their devices. It's not perfect by any means - I'd love to see a bit more detail about the apps and some more screenshots - but at least it's there for all to see.
Apple, you're paying attention, right? Enough with the "iTunes link" stuff. It's annoying. And not everyone wants to install 100+Mb of software just so they can browse your virtual shelves. Palm beat you to the punch, but you can still prove you're the king of the app store and get something similar online for us.
After that earnings report, you should be able to pay one or two extra web devs to get to work immediately. We'll expect results soon.
In the meantime, well done, Palm!
[via PhoneScoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
216 said 11:22AM on 10-21-2009
all app stores should be online viewable
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kelleydr said 11:37AM on 10-21-2009
Don't hold your breath waiting for Apple to do this. They have proven time and again that their consumer sensitivity extends only as far as the reach of their bottom line. Admittedly, Apple has been on the leading edge in identifying and addressing consumer needs, but only when it can serve Apple's interests. Not that this is a bad thing - it is, after all, the capitalist way - but it does serve to underscore that Apple's image as some sort of unselfish, socially progressive company is a mere farce.
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massalone said 11:45AM on 10-21-2009
ok there is one big point you are over looking. The Itunes app store has always been viewable form itunes desktop and/or iphone/touch, but the pre's app store before could only be viewed on the phone itself. Also Palm doesn't have their own media software like apple does with itunes. So they don't have any other way to let you view their apps other than a website. Now one day when Palm gets off their butts and makes their own media program and still keeps the website for the apps then you have a valid point.
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Hirdy said 11:48AM on 10-21-2009
Although not from apple you can browse the appstore at the following address :
http://www.uquery.com
even includes all screenshots and reviews, saved me having to load iTunes numerous time
:-)
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massalone said 11:54AM on 10-21-2009
never knew of this, thanks.
LongshotX said 12:20PM on 10-21-2009
needs bar codes.
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Carney said 12:35PM on 10-21-2009
Yeah, I remember how PlaysForSure totally killed iTunes by using the web for its stores instead of a dedicated app.
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Evenio said 1:36PM on 10-21-2009
To be fair, it's a safe bet PFS didn't die solely because they used websites as storefronts.
Butters said 1:12PM on 10-21-2009
...but I can view the apps directly from my iPhone why would I need to go onto a website to view them. Seems to me like someone is a little old fashioned...
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Lallo said 2:37PM on 10-21-2009
Does Android do this?
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FJ said 12:24AM on 10-22-2009
Viewing from a phone is OK if you have a phone. This feature is mainly for people who don't have the phone/a smartphone and are trying to decide between which phone to get. Palm is outmaneuvering Apple on this one as many non-iTunes users don't or Won't download iTunes.
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Kevin Low said 5:30AM on 10-22-2009
I think Apple knows that other people would do something like this.
www.appshopper.com
Not only lets you browse applications, it also shows which ones have lowered, raise, updated, etc.
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