If you’ll recall, back when the Pre first launched, there was plenty of consternation about the possibility of not being able to run your old Palm OS apps on the new webOS platform. Hearing the pleas of the faithful, Palm enlisted long-time Palm OS developer MotionApps to build a Palm OS emulator for webOS, the aptly-titled Classic. After some sixteen months on the market, MotionApps has decided to close development of Classic and cease further sales. Actually, it’s more like they’ve been forced to shut down development, as it seems webOS 2.0 doesn’t contain the Palm OS ROM needed to make Classic possible.

Indeed, we just installed Classic on our webOS 2.0 device and though it launches, it immediately brings up an "Illegal Operation" error, "The application <> performed an illegal operation and cannot continue."

We’ll let MotionApps’ blog post on the matter do the explaining:

We are sad to announce that Palm has removed Classic’s ROM from the new webOS 2.0 device ROM which will result in Classic not working if utilized with Palm’s new webOS 2.0.

This is contrary to our agreement with Palm and was done without our approval or consent. Based on this action, MotionApps will immediately stop selling Classic. However, as a courtesy to our clients, we will continue to support existing Classic customers on webOS 1.x for the immediate future.

MotionApps is also giving the source code for Classic to Palm, since it’s of no use to MotionApps anymore they’re giving it to the folks in Sunnyvale so they can “can do what they want to do with Classic and make it available with webOS 2.0.”

Honestly, we can’t say we’re shocked by Palm removing the Palm OS ROM from webOS 2.0 (though we’re slightly miffed that they’d break an agreement with a developer). The last version of Palm OS (5.4.9, to be specific) was released more than four years ago. While there are some apps and APIs that are still not possible or available on webOS, we can’t imagine that there are many Pre and Pixi users that are reliant upon Classic.

So, while we’re saddened to see Palm OS unceremoniously axed like this, we’re also glad to see Palm cutting the strings of the distant past and moving on with a more modern platform. If you’re going to miss Classic in webOS 2.0, we’re sorry, but it looks like it’s time to move on.

We’re reaching out to Palm now to see what they intend to do with the Classic code. Perhaps with the new APIs and the ability to run hybrid PDK/SDK apps, there’s a chance that Classic can live on as a proper SDK app in the Catalog instead of depending on special, dedicated code in the webOS ROM.

Source: MotionApps; Thanks to ToddK in the forums, SilvrDrgn, and RafRol for the tip!

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In the world of game emulators that are now available to webOS users thanks to  the recent webOS 1.4.5 update (I know, I know, sorry AT&T and Verizon folk), VisualBoy Advance isn’t the only name in town.   DreamEngine aims to bring the days of 16-bit gaming glory back into the fold.  Like most emulators you’ll have to supply your own ROMS,  though two – Magical Chase and Tennis – come pre-installed.  Performance is generally smooth thanks to the miracles of overclocking, though I found that the hardware keyboard controls can take a little getting used to and the view port is somewhat on the small side.  Still, it’s great to see more options like these bubble up in the ‘Catalog.  

Hit the break for a video of DreamEngine in action!

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You may remember from the heady days of late July 2010 this awesome fan-made commercial for the Palm Pre (after the break for your reminiscence). Well, it caught Palm’s attention too, and they made sure to dive in. The video, by 22-year-old German students Arno Keifl and Sven Adolph, turns out to have been a sophisticated creation, with the talented duo digging into the webOS SDK emulator to capture images and building the “Mr. Chef for Palm” app demoed in the commercial with Palm’s super-easy Ares online app creator.

Rightfully, the good folks at Palm saw fit to award such creativity and hard work. As they, and many of us, noticed, the video showcases everything happening on an original O2 Palm Pre. Palm has sent the pair Palm Pre Pluses for O2 Germany to bring them up to the life moves fast speed. While we’re happy Arno and Sven got new phones, we hope that Palm has put their phone numbers into Contacts for the next time they plan to run commercials.

Source: Official Palm Blog

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Good news for Palm Pixi owners who happen to be die-hard PalmOS Classic fans. If you are one of the Classic-lovers who migrated to webOS but still use some legacy PalmOS apps and/or like the look and feel of the old PalmOS, MotionApps has come to the rescue. MotionApps has adjusted their popular PalmOS emulator [...]

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Alongside all those new apps that landed on Monday was an update to the Palm OS emulator known as Classic, which brought the app to version 2.0. The update brings a whole host of features to the table, including the earlier previewed bluetooth and WiFi HotSync capabilities. Classic now also can run in full screen mode (i.e. full 320×480 Palm OS magic), can quickly bring up the old Palm OS soft keyboard, handles resets better, and even sports improved power management.

But that’s not all – MotionApps has seen fit to include a bundle of Palm OS apps that you can install into Classic by just hitting the Install Free Apps button in the menu. Included are 30 Palm OS apps ranging from Aces Texas Hold’em to FileZ and from Palm VNC to GTS World Racing. A full list of the apps can be found on MotionApps’ website, though it is worth noting that while all are “free,” some of that free-ness comes in the form of time-limited trials.

Correction: "full screen mode" in Classic lets the program run in a way that ignores on-screen webOS notifications, not full screen Palm OS.

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This app review brought to you by forum member ProfJonathon.  For the fine work done here, Profjonathon will receive a coupon for $10 off any purchase at the PreCentral.net Accessory store.  Want one? Check out our Forum Review details here!

When Palm announced WebOS, many expressed concern about losing their investment in (and functionality of) their existing PalmOS apps, especially when Palm said it would not be creating a PalmOS emulator and that the earliest version of the SDK would not be sufficiently low-level to enable someone else to do so. Happily, Palm soon retreated from that position, giving MotionApps sufficient access to the SDK and WebOS’ foundations to enable MotionApps to create Classic. While not a complete solution for all PalmOS apps, Classic (which was made available via the App Catalog on the Pre launch day, and is currently on version 1.1) has rapidly become a must-have for those of us who are transitioning from PalmOS devices (in my case, a T|X) to WebOS.

Read on for the full review!

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Zodttd has worked up an operational Playstation One emulator for the Palm Pre, as you can see above.  Sound, rotation, scaling aren’t quite working yet, but the good news is that it’s actually beating out the iPhone 3GS in performance so far. It’s all part of the psx4all project and it’s hot.  We can’t wait to see this thing get a wider release.

If the PSOne isn’t old school enough for you, how about some MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator)? Nebula (who has previously worked up the Pre as a Webserver) has one up and running and sound here is working, albeit choppily.

All we need now is a full-fledged Turbografx-16 emulator and the circle will be complete.  Actually, all kidding aside, this is all great work and makes us hopeful for the day when Palm can release a 2nd SDK that allows for more direct-to-the-metal coding so official emulators can get working.

[YouTube link for MAME Emulator]

[YouTube link for Playstation Emulator]

Thanks to everybody who sent this in!

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And who said the Palm Pre is not good for gaming? Well, the web nature of the operating system might come with some limitations, but hey, if running a PlayStation emulator is possible then so is real gaming on the Pre! ZodTTD, the individual who is responsible for some of the best jailbroken iPhone emulators, [...]

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Many of us were thrilled when it was discovered that a PalmOS emulator was being developed for the Pre, courtesy of Motion Apps. We were even happier when it was announced that the application would be available on launch day. This addressed the single biggest concern that long-time Palm uses voice: What would become of their favorite apps?

When launch day came, like many of us, you probably rushed out to pick up a Pre of your very own. Now that you have the device in hand, you’ve installed the Classic application, and now you’re wondering what exactly you’re supposed to do from here. Well folks, we have you covered! Read on after the break for our comprehensive "How To" on installing your old PalmOS apps onto your Pre.

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First things first, we need to make sure you have Classic installed. You can find it in the App Catalog, where it can be purchased (a 7 day free trial is also offered) and installed like a normal Pre application.

Now it comes to installation time. The easiest PalmOS applications to install are single PRCs and OTA-ready packages (we’ll touch on how to install multiple PRC/PDB files a little later).

Step One: Plug your Pre into your computer via USB cable, and to activate Mass Storage/USB Drive Mode on your Pre (you should be prompted upon connecting the device).

Step Two: Navigate to your Pre on your computer. On a Windows machine, you can right click on your Start menu, and click Explore. Scroll down the file structure on the left until you find the Pre, which should be listed as an additional drive, and select it. For Mac users the Pre will magically appear on your desktop like any flash drive. Now find the "ClassicApps" folder (should be top-level folder, so digging shouldn’t be necessary.)

Step Three: Select the PRC or OTA package you’d like to install. Copy this file over to the ClassicApps folder on your Pre.

Step Four: Disconnect your Pre from your PC (once the files have finished copying, of course), and then to launch the Classic application. You should then find the copied files listed, and you can now select them to install.

Multiple PRC/PDB files:

If you have an application you’d like to install that is composed of multiple PRC or PDB files, have no fear, as it can still be done.

Step One: Install Classic ROM Updater (the link takes you to a complete FAQ on how to do this).

Step Two: Just as with single PRCs and OTAs, in that you need to connect your Pre to your PC, and then navigate to the ClassicApps folder.

Step Three: Once you’ve found the ClassicApps folder on your Pre, you should see an additional folder contained within named "Install". Copy all of the PRC and/or PDB files of the desired application into this "Install" folder.

Step Four: Disconnect your Pre from your PC, and open up the Classic application. Once again, you should find the newly copied app sitting prim and proper, all ready to be installed and used.

Copying PIM Data:

Installing your old PalmOS apps is all fine and dandy, but what good are they if you can’t import the years worth of PIM data you’ve accumulated? Have no fear, Motion Apps has you covered, and have put together an excellent step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this.

If you have any questions, or if we were too vague, please let us know. As always, if you have any questions regarding your Pre or how something works, please contact us and we’ll be sure to get you the best answer we can find.

Thanks to Larry for submitting this question – hope this helps!

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Talk about a flash from the past!  In an unexpected turn of events, Ha-me3 in our forums is reporting that he was able to get Little John PalmOS (LJP) to run on the Pre via the Classic emulator. LJP, if you don’t know, is an emulator for the original Nintendo Entertainment System.

Ha-me3 says that while playing an NES game, LJP reported a solid 60FPS, however it appeared lower, possibly indicating Classic wasn’t displaying every frame outputted by LJP.  And in order to play the roms, he had to manually create the tree of folders to have the directory structure /PALM/Programs/LJP/NES/Roms exist.

All is not working fully, though.  It appears that, while an initial press of the virtual 5-way pad registers, holding the virtual button down after that initial press does nothing. Add to that, Classic v1.0 doesn’t support sound (though v1.1 will) and the game experience isn’t quite as fully functional as we’d like.  Hopefully future versions of Classic will support LJP better, perhaps with button mapping.  Until then, this is certainly a great start.

Kind of funny to see an emulator inside an emulator, but I’m certainly not complaining.

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