PalmSource just released PalmInstaller 1.5. Its goal is for ALL Palm OS applications to be available over-the-air directly to users who rarely (if ever) sync with a PC.

From the PalmSource DevCon Blog :

"To get a taste of what the Installer is capable of, please check out the sample pages.  Whether you are on a handheld or desktop (including Mac and Linux), the download and installation process of complex applications has been vastly simplified.

Our goal is to make it possible for ALL Palm OS applications to be available over-the-air directly to users who may rarely (if ever) synchronize with a PC.  As developers, this should be your goal too.  This new Installer release is the next step towards realizing this vision.

Here are some highlights of  what is new:

PalmSource Installer 1.5   - Significant update that addresses key developer issues.

Key New Features:

• Self-extracting EXE creation for simplified Windows install

• Self-extracting PRC support for Macintosh/Linux installation fallback

• "Universal" URL supports OTA and desktop from one link

• "Universal" browser support: IE, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera

• Installation support for OS selection and Device ID selection (in addition to language and screen resolution)

• Auto-Run of app after install

• Simple documentation install (“Installed Packages” Directory)

• Improved graphics/icons

• Updated documentation and samples

This iteration of the Installer is very much ready for prime-time, and we intend to be announcing some significant partnerships at the DevCon around this.

We will also be prominently featuring a showcase of applications that take advantage of the Installer, and which show off how easy OTA application install can be.  This is a great chance to get your applications some very public exposure."

Thanks Dave for the tip.