Mikhail Barashkov sent me his answers regarding Web OS just 20 minutes after the email went out…which is why he and his company HandyDev get to run first. Further interviews with key people from all over the industry are in the works – stay tuned!
Please tell us more about yourself and your company
My name is Mikhail Barashkov. My company is Handydev.
I’ve been making Address XT (an address book replacement) and other software for PalmOS devices since 2004. However, now I don’t feel that I should do anything but release bug fixes and only very small improvements to my shareware products. Overall, PalmOS sales had dropped in times and I’m currently spending much more time doing contract Windows Mobile and desktop Windows development.
What were your initial impressions after the webOS announcement?
Excited, that’s all.
What did you expect Palm to do? Were your expectations met?
I’ve expected Palm to announce something already outdated, something on par with ALP.
The operating system is said to be web-only. Do you think that its possible to create solid applications in such an environment?
No, I don’t think so.
WebOS is not able to run old Palm OS code. Can you understand this decision?
Surely. Apps will need to be rewritten anyway.
Many have compared webOS to the iPhone, thinking that most applications will be crapware. Do you think that a solid economy will be built around the pre?
I surely do think so, given a decent App Store and a good native C++ or Java SDK.
Do you plan to develop applications for the pre? Could you give us a preview?
I plan to develop PIM software for Pre, once SDK will become available.
If you could change one thing about webOS, what would it be?
I can’t think of such a thing.
If you could ask Palm one question, what would it be? (these will be collected and sent to Palm)
Will there be a native SDK? Which language will it support?
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