Palm's App Catalog Finally Includes Paid Software

Palm's on-device software store has passed an important milestone -- the first for-pay apps have been listed. This is expected to lead to a significantly larger amount of webOS software available for users of the Palm Pre.

Until now, this store only allowed free software, limiting professional developers' interest in using it.

Over a dozen for-pay apps were added today. These are expected to be followed by more, but not an immediate huge rush. Palm is ramping up its system for approving software to be listed on its App Catalog, and the first titles to be listed are part of a beta program. Palm says the e-commerce program will be open to all developers later this year.

More about the App Catalog
When the webOS debuted on the Palm Pre this summer, it included a beta of an on-device software store. This lets users find and install apps directly onto their smartphone, with no PC required. But, as mentioned earlier, the first version only offered free apps.

When webOS 1.2 was released last week, it included support for a new version of the App Catalog, one that supports paid software. It lets users store their credit card info on their smartphone, and use it to purchase items from Palm's store.

Source: Engadget