Earlier this week, Palm announced some of the major new features coming to webOS 2.0 and allowed a select group of developers access to the new version's SDK. Unsurprisingly, some of the devs began tearing through the code, trying to find some hidden nuggets of information that Palm had failed to mention. One of the lucky users was able to find a reference to a virtual keyboard inside the webOS 2.0 SDK, which is something that Palm apparently decided to skip over in their explanation of 2.0's new features. In response to the leak, Palm has elected to suspend new admissions to its Early Access Program which allowed devs the ability to get their hands on the new SDK.
A virtual keyboard in webOS has been a long-requested feature, and I'm surprised that it's taken this long for one to be added. Considering HP itself has stated that a webOS tablet is coming early next year, though, a virtual keyboard is pretty much a necessity. The actions that Palm has taken since the keyboard leak is kind of strange since I'm not sure potentially alienating devs is not a great move at this point. As MobileCrunch points out, leaks happen all the time to every company on the planet, and this news isn't even that groundbreaking. If Palm had revealed the virtual keyboard and the dev had leaked Stacks, Just Type, etc., I would would maybe understand, but that's not the case. Let's just hope that Palm reopens its Early Access Program and allows access to the webOS 2.0 SDK again soon. What do you all think of Palm's reaction to the virtual keyboard leak?
Via MobileCrunch, PreCentral
