Palm to open online sales for Pre applications

Palm announced that developers who wish to introduce premium webOS applications for the Pre smartphone can begin selling their software via the Palm App Catalog e-commerce beta program, scheduled to launch in mid-September. According to Palm, developers will receive 70 percent of gross revenues generated via online sales--charges will be limited to one-time download fees. Customers will be able to purchase applications using Visa and MasterCard.

Developers may begin submitting their webOS apps today--according to Palm, it will accept apps that are useful and engaging to users, with an appealing design and user interface aligned with Palm UI guidelines. All apps must be written for webOS and leverage the platform and device capabilities, including notifications, multitasking/background processing, location services and accelerometer. Palm said apps with slow UI response or sluggish power will be rejected--it will also turn down applications that consume excessive device power. For additional details on the approval process, check out the Palm Developer Network blog [1].

Palm promises to offer additional details on the App Catalog program and distribution model in the weeks ahead--in addition, the device maker expects to roll out a full-scale developer program for U.S. programmers later this fall.

For more on the Palm App Catalog e-commerce beta:
- read this release [2]

Related articles:
NFL Mobile Live coming to Palm Pre [3]
Sprint not troubled by scarcity of Palm Pre apps [4]