The Competition: Palm Pre/webOS Homebrew the Flip Side of Jailbreaking?
Our sibling site, PreCentral.net has put together something we’re openly and admittedly jealous of — a brand-spanking new Homebrew Apps gallery for the Palm Pre. For those unfamiliar with Homebrew, think of it as something akin to the iPhone’s Jailbreak ecosystem, where apps are developed outside “official” SDK channels and installed without the built in App Store (or App Catalog in this case).
Jailbreak, of course, is and has always been one of the brightest, most creative and vibrant parts of the iPhone (and TiPb!) community, and it looks like Homebrew is every bit the same for the Palm Pre (and likely future webOS devices).
What makes this particularly interesting is that Jailbreak sprang up initially because Apple didn’t provide an SDK or App Store for 3rd party apps at all with the original iPhone 2G and iPhone OS 1.0. Jailbreak continued after the official SDK shipped and the App Store appeared with iPhone 3G and iPhone OS 2.0, however, because Apple took a very hard editorial line on approval (and rejection), creating a gap in functionality and leaving out whole classes of applications. And this has continued to be the case well after iPhone 3GS and iPhone OS 3.0 (See Jeremy’s most recent Top 5 Must-Have Jailbreak Apps Post-iPhone 3.0 Edition for examples).
Palm Pre and webOS, however, had an SDK (in limited beta) before launch, was built on web-standards like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, shipped with an App Catalog in place, and seems to be aiming for a far more open, encompassing approval process than the iPhone or Apple would ever allow. So why Homebrew?
The webOS SDK wasn’t generally available to everyone who wanted it, when they wanted it, and the App Catalog didn’t have tons and tons of apps available when it shipped. Palm enthusiasts saw gaining dev access and developing Homebrew as a highly desirable mountain in their back yard that just demanded to be climbed. And now there are all sorts of wonderful Homebrew apps appearing and — here’s the kicker — Palm thus far seems to be okay with it. They didn’t lock down the system to the extent exploits are needed to Jailbreak (just the most awesome Konami code), and they’re not petitioning to prevent any exemptions from the DMCA… yet.
It’s easy to see the upside. You get super-passionate, uber-talented developers buying into your platform and building apps some of which will no-doubt end up in the official App Catalog, and some of which might just fill gaps that carrier or corporate policy require be filled unofficially.
Apple will likely never go the same route as Palm — despite the overlapping executives and engineers, the cultures are different and need to be to compete. Looking at the Homebrew community, however, it’s hard not to believe that even if Apple pulled a 180 and cracked the giant stone gates of the App Store well and truly open, Jailbreaking wouldn’t continue as well, a test bed for new ideas, fringe cases, and future development of the platform (oh, and carrier unlock, of course…).
In the meantime — we can’t resist — check out PreCentral.net and smellellellell what the Homebrew community is cooking!
| Tweet |
|
|
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments must be civil, respectful, and on-topic. If a comment does not add to the conversation, if it contains spam advertising, or inappropriate language or content, it will be removed. Comments containing links may be held for moderation. Relax, enjoy, and share in the discussion.
I’m sure palm doesn’t care about the homebrewing because they want more iPhone people to come to palm.
Palm knows apple hates jailbreaking and they’re (trying) cracking down on it. So palm is using that to it’s advantage by trying to steal the developers.
Where can I get that Skull & Crossbones wallpaper for my iPhone?
But no Homebrew app can get rid of that sliding toy keyboard.
Actually, I read somewhere else that a third party developer is creating a way to implement a touchscreen keyboard onto the pre. So yeah, a homebrew app can replace the tiny keyboard on the pre
@Sidral:
But I didn’t say “replace” I said “get rid of.”
So no, it would still be there.
The WebOS platform has more potential than anything that can be done on even a jailbroken iphone.
I think it’s funny how Apple can control every little aspect of the iPhone, and nobody complains. Apple prevents the iPhone from filling so much potential. Apple’s controlling ways are exactly why I will be getting a Pre, and never own an iPhone
@Truth
Potential doesnt mean usable now. Ok its usable but you get the point. IT wont be trumping iphone OS for a good few years, and thats if Apple sits on their hands which they wont either. Theyll improve too.
And i dont get whats to be jealous of. Cydia is basically home brewed apps which there are hundreds if not thousands already and expanding every day.
Homebrew can only take WebOS so far. I mean, what percentage of Pre users will ever install homebrew apps? 5-10%? WebOS will probably end up being the Linux of smartphone operating systems.
As far as potential is concerned, as long as everyone can read WebOS code and copy whatever they want to, nobody is going to develop sophisticated apps for the platform. That’s why EA only contributed Connect 4 or whatever to the App Catalog.
@nonIphone
wow shocker I could guess your response before I read it by your screename and knew it was a Pre fanboy.
And Apple ONLY controls what you let them. The jailbreak community is HUGE, and there are plenty of solutions to do whatever you want it to do.
@RealTruth
You do speak the “real” truth here. Potential is there but nothing is being done with all that potential. Sounds a lot like Android when it came out, overhyped and a ton of potential, but it still is just barely getting off the ground a year later.
@klmsu19 Don’t take me as a Pre fanboy. The iPhone is really cool, but i’ve read enough jailbreaking horror stories to not trust it. Apple hates jailbreaking, and will therefor do everything it can to stop it.
I bet Steve jobs’ iPhone is jailbroken
I bet Steve jobs’ iphone is jailbroken
Why don’t Apple, Android, and Palm just beef up their sandbox and allow side-loading of apps?
It would be so much easier for all concerned, and it would still allow the App store(s) to function for certified, approved apps.
You all mss the point. Android when it will be paired with a tegra chipset will be reatrded awesome. The same thing can be said for a palm pre webos w/tegra. The only two other things I would add would be memory card slot and wireless n. Currently I run a jailbroken iPhone 3g and in my opinion it’s the only way to run an iPhone. I have had zero, I repeat zero problems or issues. Matter of fact I ran the iPhone firstgen jailbroken too.
My point and the articles point is too check out what these great people have spent time and money on. Whether it be for palm or iPhone if yu have either phone go check out the “outside” apps. A year from now apple will be over extended with a failed itablet (way to expensive and there is NO Proven market demand for it) by then shitty hardware, no flash support, too many apps (people already download an app use it once and never again use it).
Meanwhile palm and adroids app catlog will be much more robust.
@ noniphoneuser. I have been jailbreaking since it was available on the 2g and never had a problem what horror stories??? Your post should say apple hates jailbreaking but can’t do anything to stop it. It’s your phone when you purchase it you are free to do anything within the law you wish with it. Don’t hate because you are jealous
Very respectable article. Thanks Rene!
kimsu i knew by your name that you were a douch ebag Iphone zealot!! IT amazes me how Iphone fanatics have to spew so much hate on all other phones. NOT even Blackberry users are such jerkoffs as the hard core zealots like kimsu or phonefan or realtruth yea right lol….WHY are you guys so ignorant and bigoted towards others? You take a personal offense if anyone dares say anything negative about APPLE!! WTF is up ith that? You guys need to get a life and stop hating others so much. I know of KNOW other Company that it’s users are such azz bags as you guys are.Someone mentions they like another brand of phone and you guys attack them as quickly as you can.This is exactly why the so called satisfaction surveys for APPLE are idiotic as comparing them to other companies. Normal people that like other brands will still find faut and mention what they do or don’t like ut APPLE fans will just LOCK STEP and say they love their phones sooo much they would have sex with them if they could.You really can’t compete against that kind of mentality and of course ask an Apple Zealot and they will Explain why they are so much smarter then anyone else. MOST are arrogant little hate mongering igoted twits because they feel that their group is superior to anyone else. LOOK up the definition of bigotry and racism fools and it explains you guys to a T.
I don’t even have to HATE the iphone as most others do not either but they hate you intolerant worshippers and the atmosphere of hate that APPLE breeds. MAYBE it is something that is in the air that you guys breathe,who knows!!
@Techfan: Well thought out and carefully articulated response… Oh wait, my mistake. All your response contains is a bunch of off-the-wall rambling, personal attacks, insults, and zero fact.
I have re-read Kimsu’s comments three times now and I have yet to see how a single one of them could be construed as either being an “iPhone fanatic” or “spewing hate on all other phones”. He made very clear points that potential isn’t everything. Did he bash another phone once? Not that I saw unless you consider stating that Android still hasn’t taken off a year after release. In my opinion, that’s not bashing, it’s fact.
As most of these comments have pointed out, the Pre and WebOS very well may be fundamentally more superior. However, without the backing of actual implementation by many developers, they still miss the mark. Ever hear of OS/2? It was a far superior design than Windows but it was marketed poorly, somewhat implemented poorly, and developers weren’t writing their applications for it.
I will admit, one aspect of your comment is correct. There are a great deal of Apple ‘fanbois’ that act like Apple can do no wrong and everything that Apple makes is perfection. Many of their attitudes are quite annoying as they act as if they’re superior to the rest of the world simple due to them using Apple products. However, that attitude is NOT limited just to Apple fans. You have very clearly shown that for us all. If you’re going to attack the idea of ‘fanbois’, try being the bigger man and not just mouthing off like a pre-pubescent angst ridden teen.
P.S. bigot (plural bigots)
You fit those definitions far more than those you called out. I’m not even going to bother pasting the definition of racism. If you believe racism has the slightest bit to do with anything being talked about here, I think it’s you that should be looking up words and improving your vocabulary.
Your right techfan I’m gonna go throw my iPhone away right now and buy a pre because they don’t Iie to us like apple does or the phone functions better. The truth of the matter is I hate apple that’s partly why I jailbreak what I don’t like is these cazy rumors spread by people like noniphoneuser who clearly by his name does not own a iPhone nor has he jailbroken. So why even mention That there are these terrible stories dont jailbreak. Coming from someone who hasn’t ever done it. He says he’s buyng a pre I have news for you there have been a dozen iPhone killers and a dozen hav failed. Pre lies just as much as apple does look at tethering. So I’m just saying you shouldt comment on something unless you know from experience that it’s good or bad not just reading everyday about supposidly jailbreaking will lead to a horror story because it’s the greatest.
So nobody knows where I can get that Skull & Crossbones wallpaper for my iPhone? lol…
Lol….
dmj
go to http://idesignpre.com/page/2?s=pirate they have it there. They also have tons of Iphone wallpapers too.
@fastlane Whatever Fatfingers McFailtype, I loved the Centro’s keyboard and I love the Pre’s keyboard. I’ve tried the massive Touch Pro 2 keyboard and hated it. I’ve tried the iPhone’s virtual (read: picture of a keyboard) keyboard and didn’t like it. The Pre would be the perfect phone if it had a sturdier sliding mechanism.
Howdy! Great thought, but can this truly perform?
I very much like everything had to say. I’ve been thinking about starting a information site like this, but I just don’t know if I’d contain the tenacity and the momentum to retain going day just after day. I guess I will want to go for it if I and it doesn’t involve want it! haha. Superior on you for YOUR web page!
Thanks for revealing your ideas. I’d also like to mention that video games have been ever before evolving. Modern tools and revolutions have aided create reasonable and fun games. These kind of entertainment video games were not that sensible when the real concept was first of all being used. Just like other designs of technologies, video games too have had to advance via many decades. This itself is testimony towards the fast growth of video games.