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Wowzers! Palm releases info on webOS 2.0!

By: David Baxter, 8/31/2010 2:49 pm | 43 comments

So there we were, eating our Corn Flakes and mindin’ our own business… just another slow news day. Then WHAMMO! We get some hot webOS 2.0 action.

So what did we learn? Well, first we learned that if you are in the early access program (and if you are a dev why aren’t you?!), then you will get a beta of the new webOS 2.0 SDK. You know what this means right? Some sweet new homebrew! Homebrew is where people play around with features and such that aren’t available on public SDKs. Now there is a TON of stuff not in a public SDK so it should be an interesting few months.

Ok, so lets get down to the nitty gritty shall we?

Stacks

Just when you thought cards were cool, 2.0 introduces Stacks. What are Stacks? They are essentially a stack of cards. If multiple cards are related to one another, then webOS will automatically group them together for you. You will also be able to manage stacks manually if you so choose.

Just Type

Next up we have Just Type. Palm invented universal search on the modern smartphone (it is still something that the other guys are trying to catch up with). Now they have taken it to the next level with Just Type. You can now:

Launch programs (i.e. email, chat etc) by simply typing what you would like to do.
Search through your favorite programs. Have a Note you want to access… Just type will allow queries into app data (this is, of course, up to the dev to implement).
Create your own quick action. If there is something you do regularly, then why not create your own action. For instance you could make “Offline” change your status in your chat client for you. Sweet.

Exhibition

Gotta Touchstone? Well it is about to get a lot more awesome. Exhibition allows you to run apps that are specifically designed to run while on the Touchstone.

A few will be built into 2.0, but Palm is pushing devs to fill in the gaps. Excited to see what devs cook up.

Synergy

Synergy is another part of webOS that the other guys are still trying to catch up with. Now there isn’t a whole lot here from a “default” perspective. What is new is that there are all sorts of hooks for developers to use Synergy information in their apps. Contacts, Calendar, and Messaging will be available at the start with more goodies coming in the future. Here are some examples from Palm.

Using the new Synergy APIs, you can let your users:

Connect to your chat or IM network from the webOS Messaging app

Access their personal contacts, their favorite businesses, or your community’s shared address book from the webOS Contacts UI

View and manage their personal and shared calendars, keep track of their favorite sports and entertainment events, and more, from within the webOS Calendar app

JavaScript Services

Now this one is for the gearheads out there, but this is a biggie actually. Using Node.js you will be able to create services using Javascript. This will allow devs to do background tasks, file system access, and data processing much better. This means better apps folks!

PDK Plugins (aka Hybrid Apps)

We have been waiting for this one for a while. Hybrid apps are those that use the PDK for things like graphics and fancy stuff you see in games, and the SDK to access the web goodies and all the other stuff that we mentioned above.

plug-ins give you the option of utilizing the PDK for graphics- and performance-intensive features as needed, while building the rest of your app in HTML/JavaScript/CSS—and enjoying the lightweight development process and rapid iteration that these web technologies enable.

HTML 5 Enhancements

HTML 5 is rockin’ the web world right now for good reason. webOS 2.0 will enhance the capabilities to allow things like web storage, caching (storing things for later), and canvas support (which will allow for better looking apps).

This is really just the beginning folks. You guys wanted some news?! Well here ya go! Our dev guru Roy is frothing at the mouth right now. He will be diving into all these new goodies soon, so hopefully we can bring you more information soon.

Source: Palm

About David Baxter

David is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of webOSroundup. When not toiling away at WOR he is usually with his family, at church, building a website of some kind or another, or playing a video game. @davidbbaxter

View all posts by David Baxter →

bjshedwick

YIPPEEE!!!!! I'll have to say, I LOVE STACKS. I've been hoping for something like this.
bjshedwick

YIPPEEE!!!!! I'll have to say, I LOVE STACKS. I've been hoping for something like this.
http://twitter.com/zerosaves @zerosaves

Yes, STACKS are awesome. Also the Just Type is a better name. People at work with their Palms are always doing things the hard way and I'm always trying to explain to them, Hey, Just type what you want to do and….." and they never understand. lol. Notice the top bar sitting there with Just Type ready to be tapped to start typing in? Are we looking at a tablet feature or maybe a next-gen keyboardless smartphone?!?!?!?!?! While I personally like a hardware keyboard, there are many who do not, obviously look at the sales figures of other brands. I always thought it was kinda weird that Palm opt to have their only two devices both have keyboards, should have a mix of the two.
http://twitter.com/zerosaves @zerosaves

Yes, STACKS are awesome. Also the Just Type is a better name. People at work with their Palms are always doing things the hard way and I'm always trying to explain to them, Hey, Just type what you want to do and….." and they never understand. lol. Notice the top bar sitting there with Just Type ready to be tapped to start typing in? Are we looking at a tablet feature or maybe a next-gen keyboardless smartphone?!?!?!?!?! While I personally like a hardware keyboard, there are many who do not, obviously look at the sales figures of other brands. I always thought it was kinda weird that Palm opt to have their only two devices both have keyboards, should have a mix of the two.
http://twitter.com/Osiris_C3 @Osiris_C3

I havent been this excited since 1.4 was going to bring video recording.
http://twitter.com/Osiris_C3 @Osiris_C3

I havent been this excited since 1.4 was going to bring video recording.
http://951digital.com 951

Nice….. I can't wait…..
http://951digital.com 951

Nice….. I can't wait…..
Dave

Nice. I don't see why Palm can't get going on a hardware update too, now with all that HP capital. I was about to go Android until the last Sprint update fixed some lags and GPS nags. It's about time for a new WebOS phone.
Dave

Nice. I don't see why Palm can't get going on a hardware update too, now with all that HP capital. I was about to go Android until the last Sprint update fixed some lags and GPS nags. It's about time for a new WebOS phone.
http://twitter.com/goatslacker @goatslacker

I feel like we've just reached a lake of water in our journey of crossing the webOS desert! Congrats Palm!

bjshedwick

I have to agree with you. I think we are may have almost reached the end of the desert. Release a new device, and we'll be in paradise :)
http://twitter.com/PalmFlashCards @PalmFlashCards

Umm, we are at the shore of a vast ocean, you just do not realize it yet. Wait til new hardware devices (Pre/Pixi/Tablet, and?), then all thew other HP stuff comes down the pipe

http://twitter.com/goatslacker @goatslacker

I feel like we've just reached a lake of water in our journey of crossing the webOS desert! Congrats Palm!

bjshedwick

I have to agree with you. I think we are may have almost reached the end of the desert. Release a new device, and we'll be in paradise :)
http://twitter.com/PalmFlashCards @PalmFlashCards

Umm, we are at the shore of a vast ocean, you just do not realize it yet. Wait til new hardware devices (Pre/Pixi/Tablet, and?), then all thew other HP stuff comes down the pipe

http://twitter.com/Carlosophy @Carlosophy

So Palm are basically implementing Quicksilver from OSX into webOS? Bloody Hell

Rob

To be honest there were apps like Quicksilver in Linux OS years before OSX had it.

WebOS runs on Linux. therefore WebOS technically had it first. :)

http://twitter.com/Carlosophy @Carlosophy

So Palm are basically implementing Quicksilver from OSX into webOS? Bloody Hell

Rob

To be honest there were apps like Quicksilver in Linux OS years before OSX had it.

WebOS runs on Linux. therefore WebOS technically had it first. :)

Blaze0023

Before I bought the Palm Pre I was hesitant for at least 4 months, mainly because the keyboard looked too small. I looked high and low doing my research on what phone would be right for me. That research helped me realize how much Webos was everything I was looking for. I'm still no "expert" but I must say for Webos to be so young and now not having upgraded hardware for nearly two yrz (which is FOREVER in this day of technology) I still would not have any other Os on my phone. iOs and Android seem to be always catching up to Webos as far as UI, granted their phone's hardware are far superior, but UI it is no contest. So for a glimpse of hope into the next evolutionary step of Webos kind of makes me feel like a coke addict on a plane headed towards Columbia. Yes, I think I could fly if i jump off but if I can stick with it a little longer, euphoria awaits.
Blaze0023

Before I bought the Palm Pre I was hesitant for at least 4 months, mainly because the keyboard looked too small. I looked high and low doing my research on what phone would be right for me. That research helped me realize how much Webos was everything I was looking for. I'm still no "expert" but I must say for Webos to be so young and now not having upgraded hardware for nearly two yrz (which is FOREVER in this day of technology) I still would not have any other Os on my phone. iOs and Android seem to be always catching up to Webos as far as UI, granted their phone's hardware are far superior, but UI it is no contest. So for a glimpse of hope into the next evolutionary step of Webos kind of makes me feel like a coke addict on a plane headed towards Columbia. Yes, I think I could fly if i jump off but if I can stick with it a little longer, euphoria awaits.
http://twitter.com/Clutch1222 @Clutch1222

webos 2.0 UI will be SICK!!! stacks will be a very imperssive feature to have… and show off.
http://twitter.com/Clutch1222 @Clutch1222

webos 2.0 UI will be SICK!!! stacks will be a very imperssive feature to have… and show off.
rickdarone

I have not been this excited since the Pre was first announced. Is something wrong with me or is this truly magical?
rickdarone

I have not been this excited since the Pre was first announced. Is something wrong with me or is this truly magical?
Cyndi

Is this going to be for Verizon or Sprint? Cause the last update was for Sprint only.

bjshedwick

I have full confidence that webOS 2.0 will be coming to ALL webOS devices
bjshedwick

I have full confidence that webOS 2.0 will be coming to ALL webOS devices
Dan_Ramirez

1.4.5 is still coming to Verizon and AT&T… the carriers are just delaying its release. But you can rest assured that from PALM'S perspective, updates (including 2.0) will continue to be pushed out to all carriers where webOS phones are sold. When the update is released to YOUR phone is up to your carrier. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon have built themselves quite a reputation by holding these updates back.
Dan_Ramirez

1.4.5 is still coming to Verizon and AT&T… the carriers are just delaying its release. But you can rest assured that from PALM'S perspective, updates (including 2.0) will continue to be pushed out to all carriers where webOS phones are sold. When the update is released to YOUR phone is up to your carrier. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon have built themselves quite a reputation by holding these updates back.
Dan_Ramirez

1.4.5 is still coming to Verizon and AT&T… the carriers are just delaying its release. But you can rest assured that from PALM'S perspective, updates (including 2.0) will continue to be pushed out to all carriers where webOS phones are sold. When the update is released to YOUR phone is up to your carrier. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon have built themselves quite a reputation by holding these updates back.

Cyndi

Is this going to be for Verizon or Sprint? Cause the last update was for Sprint only.
Cyndi

Is this going to be for Verizon or Sprint? Cause the last update was for Sprint only.

bjshedwick

I have full confidence that webOS 2.0 will be coming to ALL webOS devices
Dan_Ramirez

1.4.5 is still coming to Verizon and AT&T… the carriers are just delaying its release. But you can rest assured that from PALM'S perspective, updates (including 2.0) will continue to be pushed out to all carriers where webOS phones are sold. When the update is released to YOUR phone is up to your carrier. Unfortunately, AT&T and Verizon have built themselves quite a reputation by holding these updates back.

Terry

excited with stacks and html5 :D do any guys know when webOs 2 releases?
Terry

excited with stacks and html5 :D do any guys know when webOs 2 releases?
Terry

excited with stacks and html5 :D do any guys know when webOs 2 releases?
gil

Now are they preparing webOS 2.0 for a new Pre or a new Tablet??
gil

Now are they preparing webOS 2.0 for a new Pre or a new Tablet??
gil

Now are they preparing webOS 2.0 for a new Pre or a new Tablet??
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