WebOS might trail the likes of iOS and Android as a mobile platform, but that doesn't mean HP isn't ambitious about its longterm goals for business.

Nevertheless, this is a tricky period for the OS, with Palm handsets not setting the tills ringing and a whole new tablet-orientated brand of the platform currently in beta - set to launch in the coming months with TouchPad.

Quality rules

Gaining developer support in such times isn't easy, but Richard Kerris, HP's new VP of worldwide developer relations for webOS, says the company is pushing forward with innovating the platform, especially when it comes to the new webOS app store. 

"We don't want you to have to be tethered to something. Since the Pre came out we have had 12 over-the-air updates. We want the same experience carrying over with in-app purchases, and automatic updates," he told mocoNews, of the company's philosophy that webOS devices should be standalone, not requiring connections to a PC or Mac.

"How that will work in our store? There will be some unique ways that you will want to spend time in it. It is unlike any of the other stores you have seen," he predicted.

"This is part of a brand new refresh. With new services we'll follow the desires of developers, not those of other app stores like Apple.

"We know that developers have not been real happy with the scenario that they don’t have access to customers’ data. Publishers have been eagerly contacting us about this."

If that sounds overly bullish, it's worth pointing out that Kerris readily admits that HP is playing catch up, webOS acting as "the fifth man in a four-man race", but he believes new measures like IAPs, combined with a refined marketplace, can win over studios.

Getting apps on board

"With the other stores out there, you have to 'walk around' in the metaphorical sense to explore and know what you are looking for," he added, making reference to forthcoming changes to Palm's App Catalog.

"We are aiming to present our store in a unique way. Without being too cagey we are exploring new avenues for providing a new store, a new experience for discovery, rather than search.

"Also I think that we have some unique features built into the SDK - for example, touch to share - these offer app developers a unique experience on the platform."

Herris claims he'd be happy with an app store that boasts somewhere in the region of 10,000 to 30,000 apps (recent reports placing its current total at around 7,000), but he also admits some developers have, so far, been reluctant to offer webOS their support.

"There are a lot of great apps out there that we will want on our platform," Herris concluded.

"Everyone knows we will be a contender in this race, and none of them have said no. But some have said either let’s see, or let’s see how the first six months go."

[source: mocoNews]