Another Wednesday has snuck up on us.  This last week brought us more confirmation that the Pre will be picked up by Verizon in 2010.  Palm unveiled some new ways to check out apps in the App Catalog, which now number 228.  The Pre 101 empire launched a new site for those interested in programming for webOS.  Finally, there were some other bits of news that we’ll wrap up in the Roundup at the bottom.

Pre Re-Reconfirmed for Verizon

Those of you waiting for ‘the VZ’ to jump on to the Pre bandwagon won’t have too much longer to wait.  In a recent Tweet Verizon said they’ll have it ‘early next year’.  The more networks the Pre (and Pixi) make it to, the better.  We’ve even heard of unlocked GSM versions of the Pre making their way across the pond.  Hopefully Verizon has set aside a good ad budget for the Pre launch on their network.  Hopefully they can do something similar to the ad they aired for the Motorola Droid.

Palm Makes Finding Apps Easier

For those of you wishing you could browse the App Catalog from the comfort of your desktop, Palm has (sorta) granted your wish.  Palm set up a webOS Mobile Applications page where you can see some screenshots and brief descriptions of some apps in the App Catalog.  Currently, it’s running a couple weeks behind the App Catalog, as evidenced by the fact that Match ‘Em hasn’t shown up in the list yet.  If you can’t wait a few weeks to see the new apps then head over to Twitter and follow @PalmNewApps, an account at least partially set up in response to our prompting.  Palm has indicated this account will alert us to new and updated apps appearing in the App Catalog.

webOS 101 Launches

This last weekend we launched webOS 101, a collaborative webOS development site.  This site aims to help share knowledge about programming for webOS.  The site will feature tutorials and documentation that can be added to by anyone.  We welcome your ideas and contributions!  If you have experience working with Wiki’s we certainly can use your help in organizing the growing amount of information on webOS and the Mojo SDK.

News Roundup

Last week we discussed a couple of books for the Palm Pre.  Now, Made Simple Learning has released Palm Pre Made Simple.  If you’d like to pick it up you can even find a coupon at PreCentral.  Also, last week we mentioned that the Palm Pre would be getting its official launch in the UK.  Apparently things went off without a hitch.  Our favorite phone also made an appearance in USA Today in an article on social networking on smartphones.  Finally, we’re interested in what you have to say.  Would you like to get your voice hear on Pre 101?  We’re looking for guest authors and contributors.  Drop us a note below!