Palm OS applications could “run” on webOS devices using an emulator called Classic – it was sold by MotionApps for a decent price.
They now report that webOS 2.0 will break the emulator:
We are sad to announce that Palm has removed Classic’s ROM from the new webOS 2.0 device ROM which will result in Classic not working if utilized with Palm’s new webOS 2.0.
This is contrary to our agreement with Palm and was done without our approval or consent. Based on this action, MotionApps will immediately stop selling Classic. However, as a courtesy to our clients, we will continue to support existing Classic customers on webOS 1.x for the immediate future.
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If you ask me, this probably has something to do with the licensing deal Palm and Access signed – things like that have happened a lot in the past.
There are two profiteers here: Aceeca and StyleTap (who might now rewarm their StyleTap emulator)…
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I’ve always had the impression Palm only cared about its users and developers when quoting market share or number of available apps. Beyond that, they had little consideration for them, as illustrated by various business decisions (poor hardware quality control, ever changing connectors, no OS bug fixes, let alone upgrades, no Vista/Win 7 support, no Palm OS compatibility on webOS, no low-level language support, no StyleTap allowed, and now no more Classic). With that in mind, a webOS device is definitely the last smartphone I’d look at if I were shopping for one. And the fact Palm has been acquired by HP changes nothing about this.