Palm is expanding its early access program for the Palm Mojo software development kit (SDK), with plans to integrate cloud services into the new platform. The company also announced an application from MotionApps that will allow legacy Palm OS applications to run on webOS devices.

Previously available only to a select group of partners, the Mojo SDK will be provided to a broader set of interested developers that apply for access to the program at the Palm Developer Network Web site. Access to the program initially will be limited as the tools and systems continue to be refined and improved, with general availability scheduled for later this year.

Mojo is designed to enable developers to integrate their applications into core webOS functionality, such as linked contacts, layered calendars, multitasking, notifications, and GPS capabilities. Also, webOS applications run natively on the device. They don’t depend on any server connection to run and can cache data locally. Palm says that giving developers the freedom to integrate unique webOS functionality and services into their applications paves the way for a rich catalog of innovative offerings for webOS users.

Palm calls webOS a new kind of mobile platform. Standard Web technologies, such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, are deeply integrated into the webOS architecture, enabling a much broader developer community to easily create compelling applications. The ability to customize webOS applications will appeal to developers and ultimately benefit consumers with a unique and differentiated user experience, the company says.

Palm also announced that it would deploy its first Palm branded cloud service. Cloud services are software resources provided over the Internet. These services can deliver direct benefits to end users, such as giving them access to their favorite Web applications. Or, developers can incorporate them into their applications to enhance the end-user experience.

When the Mojo SDK is broadly released later this year, it will include the Mojo Messaging Service, an XMPP publish/subscribe service. The Mojo Messaging Service is a standards-based way to exchange information over the Internet. When new information is available, it is “published” to the cloud, and all interested parties who are subscribers are notified that new information is available. This will allow developers to push live content to their applications or services. The Mojo Messaging Service initially will have a limited feature set and service level that will evolve over time.

Palm additionally announced that MotionApps is creating an emulator application that will permit most Palm OS applications to run on webOS devices. The application, called Classic, will be available for purchase when the Palm Pre phone becomes available from Sprint in the first half of 2009. Palm says that it will give users peace of mind as they transition to Palm’s new webOS.

Since Palm OS applications running in Classic won’t be able to leverage core webOS functionality, Palm is working with partners to ensure that popular Palm OS applications are made available on the webOS platform and are optimized to take advantage of everything it has to offer. In the meantime, the MotionApps Classic application will enable customers who have invested in the Palm OS platform to use Palm OS applications on their new webOS devices.

Palm Inc.

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