Palm is making a significant effort to attract more developers to its webOS platform by eliminating the $50 submission fee that was previously charged to developers each time they submitted a webOS app. This strategic move is expected to foster a more vibrant and diverse app ecosystem for webOS users.
Palm has also announced that they are refunding all of the $50 fees that developers have paid in the past, which is great news for developers, and also good news for webOS users.
And we have one more program change that will benefit all developers. When we launched the developer program, we introduced a $50 per app fee to submit apps into our catalog. Effective immediately, we’re waiving this fee and refunding to all developers any $50 fees collected in the past. If you’re one such developer, you will see a credit in your PayPal account in the near future.
Encouraging Developer Participation
By removing the submission fee, Palm is lowering the barrier to entry for developers who may have been hesitant to invest in the webOS platform. This move is likely to attract a wider range of developers, from independent developers and small startups to larger software companies. The elimination of the fee can be particularly beneficial for indie developers who often operate on tight budgets and may have been deterred by the additional cost.
Moreover, the refund of previously paid fees demonstrates Palm’s commitment to its developer community. This gesture not only builds goodwill but also encourages developers who may have left the platform to return and give it another shot. The refund process is straightforward, with credits being issued directly to developers’ PayPal accounts, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
HP’s Influence and Future Prospects
This strategic change is undoubtedly influenced by HP, which recently acquired Palm. HP is keen on revitalizing the webOS platform and sees a robust app ecosystem as a critical component of this strategy. By making it easier and more cost-effective for developers to create and submit apps, HP aims to accelerate the growth and adoption of webOS.
The removal of the submission fee is just one of several steps HP might take to enhance the platform. Future initiatives could include offering development tools, resources, and support to help developers create high-quality apps. Additionally, HP could consider launching marketing campaigns to promote webOS apps, thereby increasing visibility and downloads.
The potential for webOS to become a competitive platform in the mobile market hinges on its ability to attract and retain developers. With more apps available, webOS can offer a richer user experience, making it more appealing to consumers. This, in turn, can drive device sales and further solidify the platform’s position in the market.
As the fee has been removed this may entice more developers to start to develop applications for the webOS platform.
This is obviously down to HP who have recently taken over Palm and are looking to develop the webOS platform, and one way to do that is to get developers to build applications for it.
Pre Central via Gizmodo
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