Palm launches its own mobile app store

Palm’s big announcement may be set for CES next month, but the handheld maker isn't waiting until then to unveil other developments it has been working on nor is willing to miss out on holiday sales. Following in the footsteps of Apple, RIM and Google, the company has launched its own application marketplace for devices running both Palm OS and Microsoft Windows Mobile.

The Palm Software Store is being run in partnership with handheld software vendor PocketGear, and is said to have 5,000 apps available right now – of which more than 2,000 are games. Applications include everything from gaming classics such as Tetris and Pac-Man to IM applications and social networking apps for Facebook and Twitter.

Revenue sharing isn’t as good as with rival stores, however, which could undoubtedly curb developer interest in the platform. According to Mobile Crunch, application developers will see only 50 percent of software sale revenues rather than the 70 percent offered by the Android Market and Apple App Store.