Palm launches its own app store

Bringing it in line with rivals such as Apple, Android and (soon) RIM, Palm has unveiled a new, mobile-based app store. It already had a desktop-based app store, obviously, but not one that allowed software to be downloaded straight to the handset.

Technically, Palm now has two mobile app stores - one for the ageing Palm OS, and the other for Windows Mobile. Amusingly, this means Palm has beaten Microsoft to the punch - Redmond still hasn't gotten its act together enough to launch a proper WinMob app store. Methinks it will do so pretty soon, though.

We can also, hopefully, expect to see the successor to the Palm OS - the Access Linux Platform (ALP) - make a proper appearance early next year. I've been to a few 3GSMs/Mobile World Congresses now, and Access (ex-PalmSource) has always been there saying "almost ready". But this time it's make or break.