Unreal Engine 3 up and running on webOS, and we’ve got video!

Palm just showed us the Unreal Engine 3 running on webOS, which apparently took a couple weeks to port over to the platform using that fancy new PDK. It runs at a pretty smooth clip, with just a tiny bit of artifacting in our enemy’s death animation. As an added bit of wow factor, Palm has it currently setup to demonstrate the game at 1 fps when in card view. Like most touchscreen shooters, this doesn’t really solve the problem of simulating dual analog sticks, but it’s still a fun and good looking engine for a mobile device. We’re still unaware of any games that have been built for the mobile engine, which has now been shown for iPhone, Tegra 2, and will be headed to the iPad as well, but we have to assume we’ll be seeing some before too long. Check out the webOS video after the break.

Continue reading Unreal Engine 3 up and running on webOS, and we’ve got video!

Unreal Engine 3 up and running on webOS, and we’ve got video! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Palm  | Email this | Comments

Posted on March 11, 2010 at 3:20 pm by Paul Miller · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Palm’s webOS PDK beta adds Pixi native development, PDK’d apps will hit the Catalog mid year

We just sat down with Palm here at GDC and fished out a few more details on the PDK beta front. Firstly, and most interestingly, Palm has confirmed that the PDK now works on all of its handsets (instead of just the Pre and Pre Plus), which means Pixi buyers can stop hating themselves pretty soon. Apparently the level of performance degradation should be comparable iPhone 3G vs. 3GS, which doesn’t sound too horrible. This is functionality that wasn’t available even to Palm’s early PDK partners like EA and Gameloft, so we should be seeing versions of existing games make the jump to the Pixi when the time for PDK beta-developed apps to hit the Palm App Catalog. When will that time come, you ask? The “middle of the year,” or “a few months,” whichever sounds more promising to you. Palm’s not saying whether this new era for the App Catalog (anyone being able to release PDK apps, and those apps working on the Pre and the Pixi) will accompany a full-on webOS update, but it seems logical to us.

On a more technical front, we’re told the PDK supports the Linux standard SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) to ease in porting and development (Unreal for Linux runs using SDL, for instance), and that developers could even build apps like an audio processor that rely on PDK components but don’t show up in the UI at all, or OpenGL-empowered things that aren’t necessarily games or in 3D. Also, existing developers have only been able to do “full screen” games that rely on PDK components alone, but the PDK beta lets you mix and match webOS UI with PDK elements. Currently there aren’t many PDK games that use the extra Palm hardware like the QWERTY keyboard and the gesture area, but we’re told that’s all exposed to the developer, along with any other element of webOS that Mojo SDK users have access to. One notable plugin hangup is the fact that Flash only works in the browser, and can’t be embedded into a regular webOS app, PDK or no — though we have to assume this is something that’s in the works.

Palm’s webOS PDK beta adds Pixi native development, PDK’d apps will hit the Catalog mid year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Posted on March 9, 2010 at 4:12 pm by Paul Miller · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Palm unleashes webOS PDK beta on the public

If you’ve been looking to get in on some of that red hot game development action that Palm’s been all about lately, check it out: among the announcements at this year’s GDC, Palm has announced the release of its public beta PDK for webOS. This bad boy promises to let devs “use C and C++ alongside the web technologies that power the SDK and mix them seamlessly within a single app,” just the thing for porting game titles to the webOS platform. And it’s available now! Hit the source link to get started — and maybe someday we’ll finally get to play Mr. Jelly on our Pixi. We can dream, right?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Palm unleashes webOS PDK beta on the public

Palm unleashes webOS PDK beta on the public originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Palm Development Center  | Email this | Comments

Posted on March 9, 2010 at 8:19 am by Joseph L. Flatley · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Palm Elan to be the next webOS smartphone, heading to AT&T?


Here’s a little spicy rumor for you Palm fans on this tranquil Sunday: according to TopTongueBarry who claims to work for AT&T, his company has just finished certification tests with GSM flavors of the Pre Plus and Pixi Plus ahead of a possible April 26th launch — a date not far from what we’ve heard earlier. However, the bigger news from Barry is that the big A will soon be testing a third mysterious webOS device by the name of Palm Elan, which may greet us mere mortals on May 10th (but possibly in Europe first). Another forum member Shadow-360 also dug up some cached pages that claimed to have accessories for the non-existent device, as pictured above. Of course, this could be just a crude joke for a keyboard-less Palm device that many of us seem to desire — as reminded by the good folks at PreCentral, Elan is also the name of the company that sued Apple over multitouch patents last April. So, any thoughts on this leak? Are we all ready for a new webOS phone?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Palm Elan to be the next webOS smartphone, heading to AT&T? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  PreCentral  | Email this | Comments

Posted on March 7, 2010 at 1:20 pm by Richard Lai · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How would you change Palm’s Pre Plus and Pixi Plus?

We aren’t trying to lump these two together or anything, but we figured we’d give those of you who opted for Palm’s second set of webOS handsets an opportunity to pool your thoughts in order to make the smartphone landscape an even better place to survey. We personally didn’t find too much new to laud on Verizon’s Palm-branded twofer compared to the original Pre and Pixi, and those of you who were hoping for all new hardware from the company at CES were undoubtedly let down. Still, there’s something to be said about a webOS product on America’s “largest 3G network,” and frankly, we’re interested in hearing how you’d change things. Would you have overhauled things more drastically? Expanded the screen size? Bumped the resolution? Enlarged the keys? Go on and tell Jon exactly what you think in comments below — who knows, the Pre Plus Plus might just carry your calling card.

How would you change Palm’s Pre Plus and Pixi Plus? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

iPhone games ported to webOS in ‘a matter of days’ on tap for GDC?

EA has already said that it was able to get 3D games up and running on webOS in a “matter of weeks” using the OS’ PDK (or Plug-in Development Kit), but it looks like Palm might be ready to step things up even further at GDC next week. While any official word will have to wait until then, John Paczkowski of AllThingsD says that he’s heard from sources close to the company that Palm will be now demonstrating how iPhone apps can be ported to webOS “in a matter of days,” and with virtually no degradation in performance. Not much more to go on that that at the moment, unfortunately, but you can be sure we’ll be there at GDC to how this and anything else Palm might have in store pans out.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

iPhone games ported to webOS in ‘a matter of days’ on tap for GDC? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PreCentral  |  AllThingsD  | Email this | Comments

Posted on March 5, 2010 at 1:08 pm by Donald Melanson · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Palm webOS 1.4 update hits Verizon’s Pre Plus and Pixi Plus

According to a little late night tweet from Palm — and the update screen on our device — the stacked new webOS 1.4 update is making its way out into the world for the company’s Verizon-flavored devices. That’s right, Plussers — video recording (and editing) is just a small download away. So why are you still reading this?

Palm webOS 1.4 update hits Verizon’s Pre Plus and Pixi Plus originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Palm Twitter  | Email this | Comments

Posted on February 27, 2010 at 10:26 pm by Joshua Topolsky · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Palm Pixi now $50 on Sprint

Likely a direct counterstrike to Verizon’s $79.99 Pixi Plus, Sprint has dropped the retail price of its original WiFi-less Pixi all the way down to $49.99 after $100 mail-in rebate on a new two-year contract. As you might recall, the Pixi debuted at $100, but now that the Pre’s leaving it in the dust with both high-quality gaming and Flash support, a little more price separation between the two makes a lot of sense. Alright, Sprint, strong work — now you’ve just got to drop the Pre a few bucks to distance it from Verizon’s Pre Plus and you’ll be good to go.

Palm Pixi now $50 on Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Palm Infocenter  |  Sprint  | Email this | Comments

Posted on February 27, 2010 at 4:11 pm by Chris Ziegler · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , ,

Palm’s webOS 1.4 update now available for Sprint, O2 and Movistar phones

No leaks or release date rumors this time, a mere 39mb download is all that separates your Sprint, O2 or Movistar connected Pre from video recording, Flash, enhanced message notifications and much-desired performance and battery life improvements. Verizon, Bell and Telcel customers are unfortunately still waiting for their day in the sun, only specified by the official Palm blog as “soon.” Check out Palm’s trailer for the new features and the full webOS 1.4 changelog after the break, after queueing up the download of course.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Palm’s webOS 1.4 update now available for Sprint, O2 and Movistar phones

Palm’s webOS 1.4 update now available for Sprint, O2 and Movistar phones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Palm  | Email this | Comments

Posted on February 26, 2010 at 11:43 pm by Richard Lawler · Permalink · Comments Closed
In: Uncategorized · Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Engadget Podcast 185 – 02.26.2010

What would have been a perfectly fine, eco-friendly, nicely paced, and Apple-free podcast is ruined by a surprise appearance by jetsetting Engadget Editor-in-Chief Joshua Topolsky.

P.S.- KHOTAR. Keyboard Haptic Operation and Tactility Assessment Review. Think about it.

Hosts: Nilay Patel, Paul Miller
Guests: Ross Miller, Josh Topolsky
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Mighty Mike – In Bloom (Mike’s Rockabye Mix)

Hear the podcast

00:02:28 – The Bloom Box: a power plant for the home (video)
00:05:05 – Live from the Bloom Box press event
00:08:00 – Bloom ‘Box’ Energy Server hands-on (literally) with video!
00:11:58 – Nintendo DSi XL hands-on
00:15:00 – Nintendo to release 100 Classic Book Collection for DS on June 14
00:23:16 – Palm sales ‘lower than expected,’ revenues to miss targets
00:24:14 – Analysts turn sour on Palm stock, cite weak sales on Verizon
00:30:55 – Motorola Devour goes hands-on, hits Best Buy for $99 this week (update: video!)
00:46:05 – Engadget PMA 2010 coverage
00:54:21 – Alienware M11x review
01:01:55 – The winners of the 2009 Engadget Awards!
01:10:38 – Engadget for iPhone / iPod touch 2.0.1 now available!
01:11:47 – The Engadget Show returns this Saturday, Feb. 27th… now with live streaming!


Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

Contact the podcast

1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com.

Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget

Filed under:

Engadget Podcast 185 – 02.26.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments