The Internet was abuzz today with the launch of Google Buzz, a new integrated social networking technology for Gmail, Google Maps, and other Google tools. While Buzz is designed for both desktop and mobile users, it appears that for now, Google is not even considering webOS as a Buzz platform, at least according to this chart from Google’s Buzz for Mobile page:  

Unfortunately, whatever technology is behind Buzz is apparently too smart (or requires too many device-specific components) to be fooled by the “iPhone Spoof” tweak in Jason Robitaille’s webOS Quick Install, which makes the Pre’s browser identify itself to Web sites as Safari for iPhone. While the spoof does help make some mobile Web sites show their iPhone versions (and others not), all it does with the Buzz.Google.com site is make it display the chart of supported devices as if it were one; it does not, though, make the Buzz features work on the Pre. However, this could just be early jitters, as @obigeorge seems to have it running on a Pre.

What gives with the Windows Mobile Browser and the BlackBerry Browser, both of which are practically browsers-in-name-only, getitng included in the roadmap while webOS's webkit browser, which shares technologies with both iPhone and Android (which work now) is left out? Inquiring minds want to know.

Thank you to everyone who sent this in today!

Well well, what do we have here? Benjio in our forums has posted up an email detailing future OS upgrades. We're all expecting webOS 1.4 to land in February and the document doesn't disappoint: it lists February 15th as the release date. Of course, that date could move depending on carrier (i.e. if you're not with Sprint and Verizon holds things up) or delays, but at least it's something more definite to pine for than the end of the month.

The enhancements listed fall in line with what we knew before: video capture, assorted calendar and messaging enhancements, and apparently improved phonebook transfers.

So the day after you're meant to show your love to your significant other, we're hoping Palm will show some love to us. 

PalmCast Live will be coming at ya (bab ah de bow!) tonight at 8pm Eastern, as we do every week. 

It hasn't been the busiest of news weeks, so in addition to the news we're going to talk webOS apps - our favorites, picks that didn't make the cut, and what we're hoping for in the future.

You can tweet your questions in with the  #palmcast hashtag for our lightning round. We'll be giving away this fancy car charger with a spare USB port while we're at it.

8pm Eastern tonight. We'll see you there.

As came up quite often in yesterday's Round Robin Response, the most important thing for Palm to do right now is sell as many phones as possible. Two reports today seem to indicate that perhaps that effort isn't going so well.

First, comScore has released some numbers (via daringfireball)indicating that Palm is sliding backwards in the marketshare battle, moving from 8.3% to 6.1% from December to September. Now, Palm's survival isn't (just) about marketshare but rather sheer numbers. Also, it's worth noting that these number probably include everything Palm makes, so while there's a decline overall it's likely that's hiding an uptick in webOS share (one hopes).

Meanwhile, Barron's reports (via everythingpre)that Piper Jaffray Analyst T. Michael Walkley says webOS sales on Verizon has him "slightly disappointed," but he continues that heavy marketing could help. Hopefully there are enough moms out there to help Palm with these numbers.

Here at PreCentral, informally it does still seem like the vast majority of webOS users are on Sprint - but hey, maybe we're wrong. How about you set us straight with this here poll:

A couple quick contest reminders as deadlines loom (LOOM I tell you!):

• The Developer Survey we mentioned here is still running but will end this weekend. Interpret is putting together an exciting set of data about mobile app development and needs your input. Take the survey here and be entered for your chance to win a Palm Pixi or Palm Pixi Plus. Heck, if those phones aren't your style, you can also opt for up to $550 to purchase the phone of your choice.
• Since not everybody will qualify for the developer survey prize, one more reminder: the Smartphone Round Robin contest is still running, but will end on Thursday. You can enter to win the Palm Phone of your choice by posting in this thread. Everybody's been asking so here's the news: we are announcing the winners on Friday!

There often comes a time where we need to update our WordPress blogs right now, and the only internet-connected device we have access to is our phone. As many of you know all too well, the small screens and keyboards of our phones  compounded with the way webOS browser handles links in text fields can make blogging from the phone a downright frustrating experience.  While we wait for a native application from WordPress themselves, Poster ($0.99 in the App Catalog) does a great job of filling the void, making content creation on the go a not-so-painful process.

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While we’ve been poking at Palm on their weird App Catalog timing bug (all in good fun), truth is we’ve hit our own variety of temporal vortex as well. We call it “the Superbowl.” So, we may have gotten caught up in other stuff and not posted the App Catalog updates for the weekend, but never fear, we are not the type to leave behind a fallen comrade or a missed app. Today’s app round-up comes complete with everything as far back as that long-ago Friday that ended last week, and boy-oh-boy, there be some good stuff in thar. So hop on past the break for our temporally-afflicted list of apps.

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Adam sent in a link to the above, Verizon's latest Palm Pre Plus ad. It's still aimed at mothers, it still trashes your cherished memories of 80s fashion, but this time it's happening in Spanish. On top of that, Verizon Wireless' YouTube Page is branded to the nines with Pre and Pixi.

Meanwhile, Sarah over at tech4mommies.com wrote in to let us know that she's also taking a look at the Palm Pre Plus from a mother's perspective and we're liking how she talks to moms a lot more. Instead of relentlessly trashing backwards, sticky-note using moms, she's actually posting some great tips about apps and will keep it up throughout the month. Heck, Verizon even provided a Palm Pre Plus for her to give away later on, so it's definitely worth a look. 

Herb Parsons checks in with an excellent review of Outline Tracker for webOS!

One of the things I've missed on my Palm Pre is is a good ToDo list. As long time users of Palm devices are well aware, our calendar integrated Tasks from the PalmOS is gone on the Pre, and was replaced with ... well, not much really. The Tasks application that comes with the Pre and Pixi seems a bit anemic at best. With limited features and little to no integration with other apps, it's become one of the "forgotten features" of my Pre. After 7 months, it looks like patience may have finally paid off for those of us looking and waiting for something more. Outline Tracker from Hominid Software (also available in a free version) will be a welcome relief for many WebOS users.

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