By: Staff, GameSpot - Posted on October 6, 2009

　　WebOS is the next step for Palm handsets. Palm's WebOS was unveiled at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as being a new operating system for the company's Pre handset, which was later released in June 2009. WebOS is a Linux-based system that is focused on using social networking applications with a touch-screen interface. Other Palm handsets use Palm OS (better known as Garnet OS). Both operating systems support a variety of games for their handset hardware.

　　

Hardware, Accessories, and What to Expect

The Palm Pre (left) uses the Palm WebOS system, while older models of Treo use Garnet. WebOS is Palm's new operating system for the Palm Pre, which has both a sliding keyboard and a 3.1-inch touch screen with support for 24-bit color at resolutions of up to 480x320, along with other features, such a GPS and an accelerometer. Other editions of Palm's handsets, such as the Treo series (which includes such models as the Treo Pro and Treo 800w), run Palm OS, and more-recent versions offer touch-screen functionality and display resolutions up to 480x320. As with most handsets, if you find yourself experiencing less-than-optimal gaming performance, it can be a good idea to cut down on downloads and remove apps that you don't plan on using anymore to free up memory, and you should consider shutting off memory-hungry applications you aren't currently using. Be advised that although the Pre uses WebOS with a touch-screen interface, other handsets may have different input and button layouts that may not be as comfortable for gaming. Take a look at different handsets and try to get a sense of which one works best for you.

　　For the latest reports on the best handsets for this and other operating systems, visit CNET's regularly updated Best Cell Phones roundup.

　　

Games and Where to Get Them

The Palm Software Store has numerous games for Palm OS handsets, such as the Treo line. Palm handsets seem to be at a bit of a crossroads at the moment for gaming. Palm Pre handsets equipped with WebOS use a Web-like application development model, so the current batch of games available are definitely more focused on lighter, more-casual stuff, such as board and puzzle games and our good friend Sudoku. Games for other Palm handsets that use Palm OS can be found at the Palm Software Store in the form of premium card and casino games, word games, logic puzzle games, and arcade games, at price points of less than $20 (the vast majority are less than $10). You should also be able to find additional freeware games and free demo versions of Palm OS games on the Web with a little searching.

　　

Pros & Cons

PRO: Palm WebOS comes with the sleek Palm Pre handset, which offers the e-mail and productivity features of the Treo with a slick new interface.

　　PRO: Palm OS offers a good selection of puzzle and arcade games for older Treo models.

　　CON: WebOS has a Web-like development environment that has led to Pre games being less demanding and more casual, though developer support will hopefully pick up in the near future.