Installing Homebrew Apps: Desktop Drag 'n Drop, On-Device too!

Big Big news today: there are now two new ways to install homebrew apps on your Palm Pre!

Hit the Jump for more Details...

First up, the aptly-named "WebOS Quick Install", from Jason Robitaille.nbsp; It's a simple desktop Java-based app that you can download and install on a Mac, PC or Linux machine. First, install the webOS SDK (Update, version 1.1 has just been released and it uses the Recovery ROM - take a quick look at the notes on the linked post), then you just need to put your Pre into Developer Mode and then run the app on your desktop (Mac users note the small caveat in the readme file). You can drag and drop files downloaded.
NOTE FROM JASON ROBITAILLE:

WebOS Quick Install v1.1

This program is intended for use with WebOS applications that are in-testing, which under section 4.2 of the Palm SDK License Agreement allows for such unapproved applications to be installed on Palm devices. Applications installed with WebOS Quick Install have not be tested by Palm and are installed at your own risk.

This program is freeware, but not opensource. Feel free to share it with other testing forums.

I can be contacted at support@canuck-software.ca

Also, if you'd like to help support this and my future software development efforts, I have a donation link setup on my website.
Enjoy! :-)

Requirements

• WebOSDoctor recover rom
  • Copy it to the same folder as WebOSQuickInstall.jar
  
  

• Java 1.6
  • For Mac OS X, once you've installed Java 1.6, run /Application/Utilities/Java/Java Preferences. Then click and drag Jave SE 6 to top of both list, and exit the program. This will set Java 1.6 as the default version to use.
  
  

• Novacom - As of v1.1, this now gets setup through WebOS Quick Install.
  • However, for Windows 7, please follow these instructions.
  
  
  • For Linux, try downloading the Novacom file here.
  
  

• DevMode enabled
  • This can be done by typing "upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart", opening the DeveloperMode app, and enabling the feature.
  
  

Lastly, when you plug in the device, if you want to use WebOS Quick Install, choose the "Just Charge" option on the device.





Running WebOS Quick Install

• Simply double-click WebOSQuickInstall.jar and (as long as Java is installed properly) it will launch

Features

• Stylish easy-to-use GUI.


• Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux).


• No Linux knowledge required.


• No rooting required (or whatever getting-access-to-root setup is now called).


• Support for multiple ipk file transfers.


• Support for adding files both via filechooser popup and by dragging and dropping files onto the transfer queue.


• Works with both USB-connected WebOS devices and the WebOS emulator.


• Ability to hide/make visible the DevMode application in the launcher.


• Full device information section.


• Management of user-installed applications. Lists all user-installed applications and gives the option to uninstall those applications.


• Custom file transfer. Transfers any user-chosen file to any directory on the Pre. Also supports drag and drop of a file from your computer to be transferred.


• Quick-access link to the PreCentral homebrew forums.


• Handy usage panel that explains the earlier-mentioned requirements.





Also new: Brian Jost has created an on-device file download and ipk install tool! It's called "fileCoaster"and it works pretty well. All you need to do here is browse to the PreCentral.net Homebrew App Forums on your Pre. If you're logged in, there will be a text field box next to every .ipk attachment - just tap that, copy it, and paste it into this app. Voila - you are downloading and installing homebrew applications without needing the desktop. It works on both the full forums and the mobile version.


NOTE FROM BRIAN:
----------------------
INSTALLATION
----------------------

First all you need to do is install the .ipk with the SDK (if you already have it and are familiar with the palm.bat files) or WebOS Quick Installer (if you do not have the SDK and like GUI's).
I STRONGLY RECOMMENDING INSTALLING fileCOASTER with WebOS Quick Installer!!!

----------------------
HOW TO USE
----------------------
1. Login to the homebrew forums from your pre (currently it is not set to use the mobile site as there is a bug that is preventing the viewing of the mobile homebrew-apps section from the pre browser).
2. Select the application you want and copy the download link from the textbox on the forums (To copy tap the textbox on the forums until it turns yellow, once yellow hold the GESTURE area until the LED lights up. Once lit press c)
3. Paste the URL into the application.
4. Click download.
5. After the download is complete it will begin the install process if the file is an .ipk

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FILE STORAGE / TYPES
----------------------
You can also download any other file you want on the net including mp3's.

The files get stored into /media/internal/downloads and after you install the IPK it gets deleted to save space.

Images (jpg,png,jpeg,gif - get saved to the /media/internal/wallpapers folder or if you connect as usb drive the /wallpapers folder.) ** The files are not able to be seen in photo's application so I am trying to find out why **

MP3's and everything else get stored in the /media/internal/downloads folder (or if you connect your pre as a USB drive it will be in the /downloads folder) ** I have tested this successfully and was able to have the Music player recognize the new mp3 download **

---------------------
MISC / LICENSE
---------------------
This was built using palms libraries however I had to trick the services into thinking this is a palm app by changing the appId so that we could use their services.

This application is AS IS and is only intended to be used to download beta applications from precentral.net. This is not an app catalog and you should use Palms App Catalog to sell your applications.








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