webOS 2.1 SDK released

Version 2.1 of HP's Software Development Kit (SDK), used for developing applications for the webOS mobile operating system, is now available to download free of charge. It can now also be used to write applications for devices running webOS 2.1, released in February. This includes, for example, such functions as Just Type (formerly Universal Search), Exhibition and synchronisation system Synergy. Until now, HP had not released a single publicly available developer package for webOS 2.0, which has been out since last October – the newly released SDK was previously available only as part of HP's early access program.

It is now possible to develop hybrid apps, which combine HTML, JavaScript and CSS with C/C++. This is aided by a tie-in with the Plugin Development Kit (PDK), which can be used to generate C and C++ programs and install them on smartphones. webOS applications can also be written in JavaScript in the Node.js runtime environment included in version 2.0. Further details of the changes, including HTML5 extensions, new APIs for photos, videos and audio files and a media indexer, can be found in the release notes.

The release announcement also gives some pointers to forthcoming developments. Programs developed for Pixi devices will also work on HP's new Veer smartphone, which should be available from German mobile operator O2 from May – a UK release date has yet to be confirmed. Apps adapted for resolutions of 320 x 400 pixels (2.57 inch display) should then be easy to port to the Veer.

(crve)