∞ Google, Motorola deal opens the door for HP to license webOS

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Unless Google’s partners are completely stupid, they spent most of the day figuring out which mobile operating system they will use next.

[ad#Google Adsense 300x250 in story]The problem that Samsung, LG and HTC have is that there isn’t a good option available. But maybe there is — HP’s webOS.

HP acquired webOS when it bought Palm, and by all accounts, it’s a very good operating system. In fact, HP has made no secret that it plans to use webOS in computers, printers and handheld devices.

It doesn’t appear that HP’s TouchPad is flying off the shelves, so there seems to be no reason the company wouldn’t shop its mobile OS around to interested manufacturers for a licensing deal.

The fact is, if HP were to license the OS, it would strengthen its position in the market, but it would also weaken Google’s position. Apple would probably come out of such a scenario on top, but this could be the first step for HP to build a significant amount of market share.


  • Matt_99_hey

    please dont say THE webos. it sounds dumb.

    • http://www.loopinsight.com Jim Dalrymple

      You’re right. Fixed.

      • Anonymous

        You’re wrong. “the WebOS” is the correct usage.

  • http://twitter.com/darxmac thomas

    Does RIM license it’s … oh wait ;)

  • Matt_99_hey

    We are still anxiously awaiting to hear from HP how many millions of TouchPads have been sold (millions!) during its brief time in the real world, generously supported by two very soft launches. Both Leo and Jon have commented publicly on the potential for licensing webOS, but I wonder if those times were just them thinking positively. You know, just saying the right things so people would like them. Jon has a horrible track record of keeping promises, and as CEO Leo isn’t any better. 

    I’d still like to see though if HP has the guts to do something with this. As big as they are, where are the lethal design teams? Where are the designers who don’t cop competitors’ designs hiding? It’s always been a good thing as Apple has so eloquently shown us, to have complete control over software _and_ hardware, but in the current position of webOS things do not look promising with 0.00003% market share. That battle will become increasingly more difficult this holiday season as Apple releases new soldiers onto the field, and Android continues to climb. 

    I dont webOS have a lot of time, and if they are not already working with potential suitors from other great hardware companies, I would be sorely disappointed.

    • Anonymous

      Apple is the only company in the PC industry where designers have any say. Everyone else is hostile towards design and does not understand what it is or how to utilize it in their product development. If you have any appreciation for design, you are stuck buying 100% Apple products. The idea that HP (Compaq) is going to design its way out of a paper bag is crazy.

    • Anonymous

      Apple is the only company in the PC industry where designers have any say. Everyone else is hostile towards design and does not understand what it is or how to utilize it in their product development. If you have any appreciation for design, you are stuck buying 100% Apple products. The idea that HP (Compaq) is going to design its way out of a paper bag is crazy.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=509871331 John C. Randolph

    I think the Android could hold as much as 90+% of the “my carrier doesn’t have iPhone” market in the near future.  Once Apple is able to make as many iPhones as people want though, and they let any and all carriers in, then Android is relegated to the “I can’t afford an iPhone” market.

    -jcr

    • http://twitter.com/Questional Questional

      John C. breaks it down ;)

  • Anonymous

    Methinks Samsung might just put a tad more energy into the development of Bada.

  • http://twitter.com/patrickwwalker Patrick Walker

    There are other options for handset makers.  For one, there is MeeGo. I don’t know much about it myself though.

  • Anonymous

    I think it is more likely that the alternative to Google Android will just continue be the non-Google Android that is already used in the majority of Android devices.