Will it be possible for me to host the app so users can download directly from my server?
I'm just imagining a scenario where I install your app, and it decides to SMS all of my contacts with a bit.ly link to spread itself, send out emails and do whatever else it wants to.
At least linking through Palm, they know who you are as the app author and can shut down the app if necessary and go after you if your app turns malicious.
I think the much better argument to make in Palm's favor is that 30% is a lot of money, not that it's a good idea to keep users "safe."
2. Palm hasn't tried to shut down the homebrew scene at all. Actually they have been reaching out to developers of those apps and offering to let them host their apps in the official app store too.
3. Most people are not going to go through the trouble of hacking their phone just to install homebrew apps. They expect their phone to act like a phone, and they don't want to have to buy a virus scanner just to protect their phone from threats. For those users, I think the kid gloves are reasonable.
4. I believe Apple takes a 30% cut from iPhone app sales too.
The only difference is they're letting those of us who know what we're doing install whatever we want via the homebrew route.
If jwz really wanted people to have his tip calculator (because the other 8 that are already there aren't good enough I suppose) he could simply post it at one of the many places that are referenced by WebOs Quickinstall or Filecoaster or Preware and people like myself who can't even spell SSH let alone use it can install the app.