WebOS to get 3D gaming and native application support in 2010?

Gaming

Quake-pre

WebOS 1.3.5 was released to the masses last week and its inner workings were promptly picked apart by eager webOS hackers. One of the most exciting finds was the inclusion of the SDL library in this latest version of webOS. SDL is an acronym for Simple DirectMedia Layer, an open source library that provides a programming interface to a platform’s underlying audio, graphics and input devices. Translated into English, this means that Palm webOS developers will have direct access to the underlying graphics hardware of a device making hardware accelerated graphics a reality.

The first realization of this hardware acceleration is a webOS port of DOOM, which was quickly followed by a port of Quake. An offshoot discovery also revealed native application support within the codebase of webOS 1.3.5, an inclusion which allows webOS users to install and launch a native Linux app without any hacking. Native Linux applications, SDL-support, and hardware graphics acceleration all add up to a potentially sweet gaming experience on the Pre and an equally exciting CES 2010 announcement. Hit the jump for a quick demo of Quake and Doom running on the Pre.

[Via Palm Infocenter]

Read (Native Applications) Read (Quake) Read (Doom)

48 Comments
  • J

    The iPhone and the Pre are feminine imo, and that is what you all are arguing about…your opinions which is also feminine.

    There is no “best” smartphone, only the best smartphone for the individual. That means all you gals are right. Well, everyone except the one who said Apple with their gayphone started this whole smartphone thing…you’re hilariously misinfomed.

    Continue on with this effeminate conversation.

  • Niggamousprime

    Wow congrats you managed to get Doom on your pre. I had that on my Linux 1st gen nano. Big deal.

  • Christopher Cox

    Do people still care about WebOS?

  • dinosnake

    Err, no. I don’t own either one – a Pre OR the Droid – but I found the Droid to be not even in the same “fun to use” ballpark as the Pre when I have tried both.

    The Droid might have a lot under the hood but why is it so, well, clunky and “industrial”? The keyboard wasn’t that great, either. Yeah, the Pre keyboard is SMALL but at least the buttons are individual and raised. And WebOS’s Card paradigm is simply BRILLIANT to multitask. Wish my WinMo device had Cards :(

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