Palm's App Catalog has been in beta since launch and everyone has been eagerly awaiting for it to lose the beta tag to find out what is on the other side. That is all supposed to end next month. Palm is set to take the beta tag off the App Catalog and at the same time allow developers to distribute their free open source apps via web URL that can be installed in the WebOS browser. There may be another surprise in store for us WebOS users who have been waiting for the larger developers such as EA, Docs2Go, and Epocrates. 

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Palm is expected to open the flood gates when the App Catalog becomes official, essentially allowing any and all apps in the catalog after the 'beta test' is over. The reason why we may not have seen larger developers with their apps in the catalog already is because there really weren't that many involved in the early access program. The reason we see the smaller or 'indie' developers releasing apps is because it is a beta App Catalog and a beta SDK so it makes sense for the smaller developers to take the plunge first. If something goes wrong the repercussions won't be as severe as they would if a developer like Documents to Go had issues with Palm. Of course Palm doesn't want to anger any of the developers who can potentially help increase sales of WebOS devices by messing up their app or ruining their App Catalog experience with problems like the hacking incident we had the day paid apps arrived.

According to Mercury News the App Catalog is said to have a 'relaunch' when the beta tag comes off. Not quite sure what they mean by this but at the very least we expect this means more apps from anyone willing to submit. With WebOS 1.3 or 1.3.1 coming, as well as the Palm Pixi, and the fact that we are closer to an official App Catalog, there truly is a lot to be excited about if you have or are planning to have a WebOS device.