Software developers can start earning from Palm Pre apps in September

This week, Palm announced the latest phase of its strategy to take on Apple’s iPhone and Research in Motion’s Blackberry by offering a range of innovative applications for users to purchase for the Palm Pre.

According to the company, software developers will be able to begin charging customers for downloading their applications from an ecommerce beta program in September. The move follows last month’s release of the Mojo Software Development Kit, which was viewed as a step forward in Palm’s efforts to strengthen relationships with developers.

Previously, critics had complained that the Pre did not have sufficient range of creative and engaging applications to choose from. In the past couple of months, Palm has been reaching out to software developers in a variety of ways – including meet-up events – to build interest in its webOS platform.

The opening up of the ecommerce beta program is the next step in this plan. From August 18, developers can submit apps via email for consideration in the Palm App Catalog, which is currently being tested to evaluate the experience of both programmers and users. Both free and paid apps are acceptable to be submitted, the company said.

Palm also announced that those who opt to charge for their applications will be eligible for 70 percent of revenues generated through sales. This percentage seems to be becoming the industry standard, as Verizon said last month that developers will retain 70 percent of the revenue earned through sales of applications through V Cast Apps. Meanwhile, Apple also lets developers keep the same proportion of revenue.

Other rules for participating in the beta program state that developers can charge a one-time fee for downloading an app. The first phase of the ecommerce scheme will be limited to the U.S. and webOS users will use credit cards to purchase apps, which they will download directly to their smartphones.

So, what kind of apps is Palm looking for? The company includes some helpful guidelines for developers, including a preference for "useful and engaging" apps, as well as those featuring an "appealing design" and a user interface that meets Palm UI standards. Apps that have a slow UI response or consume excessive power will be rejected.

Additionally, apps should be written for webOS in particular and not delivered through the browser, the company said, adding that they should also take advantage of the webOS platform and device capabilities.

Writing on Computerworld, Dan Moren suggests that the publication of these standards suggests that Palm is being more selective in its approval process for the App Catalog than Apple was for its App Store. He also says this could bode well for the Pre’s success, as a more gradual rollout could mean the new ecommerce program does not encounter the same complications as the App Store did in its early days.

Freelance software developers may see the Palm Pre as an opportunity to get involved with a product that could grow in popularity over the next several months. Palm is promoting the Pre, along with its webOS and App Catalog, as a viable competitor for the iPhone and Blackberry. It has also said it plans to create more devices based around the same operating system.

Currently, Sprint is the exclusive provider of the Palm Pre in the U.S., but Verizon has agreed to begin selling the device next year.