While we’re not going to glance askance at the ringer switch on Palm’s devices, we’ve been waiting with bated breath for a more robust solution for setting profiles on our webOS devices. Enter homebrew developer sconix, whose Mode Switcher app is perhaps the most customizable profiles app we’ve seen on any platform.

Mode switcher lets you set up custom profiles based on all sorts of factors, like whether the phone is on the Touchstone, a charger, the time of day, location, battery level, based on calendar events (like when you’re in a meeting), and, yes, that ringer switch.

Those profiles are equally robust, letting you change settings for Airplane mode, alert settings, ringer settings, Govnah overclock settings, security settings, and plenty more.

Check out the Mode Switcher thread in our forums for details on installation and usage. While you’re there, give sconix a huge thumbs up for an epic homebrew app.

Thanks, Dustin!

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Here’s some of the latest talk in the forums:

• User gsx decided that they wanted to add a custom Carbon overlay to the back of their Pre, and created a step-by-step guide if you should decide to.
• Palm’s developer relations team has done an excellent job with the Facebook app over the last several months, but cmoneyct wants to know if you still use the full-on site instead of the webOS app.  
• Themes.  Many of you know them, some of you love them, and member pelikan3 is wondering if they’re worth all the trouble.  
• radiorob123 is in the market for a new smartphone and has the million dollar question: buy a Pre Plus now, or wait to see what’s just around the pike in terms of new webOS hardware?

We look forward to seeing you in the forums!  Not a member?  Join us!

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The webOS 1.4 update brought many new and welcomed features. One such feature was the new app loading system. It brought immediate app launch feedback and gave a pleasant splash screen to make it seem as though apps were loading a lot faster.

The splash screen system has been generally quite well received, with only a small number of people not liking it.

Keen-eyed users may have noticed several webOS apps seemed to have customized splash screen.  Apps like the web browser, tasks, and the calculator (as shown in the screenshot to the right) have customized splash screens.

Metaview is one such keen observer. On his blog, he explains how easy it is to add custom splash screens to any app.  In fact, all developers need to do is create a 320×480px PNG background image and a 256×256px PNG icon image then add then to your app’s appinfo.json file like:

"splashicon": "icon-256×256.png",
"splashBackground":"images/splash-screenshot-default.png",

Some might wonder why this neat new option is mysteriously absent from Palm’s appinfo.json breakdown. Well, put simply, that page is a bit out of date. In fact, it still refers to "miniicon", when that was officially changed to "smallicon" a while ago.  It’s very doubtful that using a custom splash screen in your app you cause any app submission guideline issues.

This is a neat bit of customization allowed on Palm’s part. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how creative developers can get in the future with their own splash graphics.

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One thing we don’t want lost in all this Palm Pixi shuffle: the Palm Pixi’s customizable back covers are really stunning, well designed, and hopefully won’t cost an arm and a leg.  Palm is starting with 5 limited-edition back covers from California artists and they look to be a great way to make the Pixi more fun and unique.

Each cover was custom-made for the Pixi and features the artitst’s name and signature on the inside. Even better – all of the custom covers will be Touchstone-compatible, so you don’t have to give up functionality for your bling. Sometime soon Palm will have more information on the artists and designs at www.palm.com/artistseries.

What do you think: Gimmick to rake in more money (can’t blame cash-poor Palm for trying) or truly fun and cool feature?

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