HP Dubs Reports of WebOS Shutdown 'Unfounded Rumors'
Is webOS here to stay?
Ever since HP killed off the TouchPad and Pre line of smartphones, the company has been facing rumors that WebOS is on the chopping block. too. The latest reports say the company will decide the fate of webOS in November, however, the company has been rumored to be mulling a decision on webOS for the last few weeks.
This past weekend, HP attempted to put any rumors regarding a webOS shutdown to bed. Executive Vice President Todd Bradley spoke to Bloomberg on Saturday about the company's plans for its personal systems group. HP just last week decided that it would not be spinning off or selling its PSG unit following weeks of speculation as to what the company would do with that part of its business. During the interview, Emily Chang asked Bradley about webOS.
"I think tablets, and specifically WebOS, have very unique capabilities," Bradley responded. "You know, what we did was stop making WebOS tablets. We're continuing to invest in WebOS software -- in fact last week we refreshed with an update of that software for the over one million users that have WebOS products today. So our next focus now that we've resolved the question surrounding the PC business is to determine how we'll best utilize WebOS and the great software assets that we have."
When asked directly what we should make of reports that HP is considering shutting webOS down completely, Bradley said there was no truth to the reports:
"I think you should make of [the report of a WebOS shutdown] as an unfounded rumor. Our focus with WebOS is how we effectively utilize that phenomenal software and that phenomenal talent we have in that piece of our business."
HP CEO Meg Whitman said last week that the company will make a decision on webOS within the next couple of months. Bradley says when it comes to the future of the operating system, he's determined to gather all the appropriate information and data to ensure the company makes the right decision.
Are you a fan of webOS? Would you like to see it on devices other than the likes of printers? Let us know in the comments below!
- WebRTC Now Available as W3C Draft
- Intel Ditching Smart TV Business
- Report: HP To Kill webOS in November
- Get Some Free Gaming on OnLive This Halloweekend
- Steam Halloween Sale Offers L4D2 @ $6.79 and More
- Mozilla Builds a Special Bing'ed Firefox For Microsoft
- HP Developing Windows 8 Tablets and Ultrabooks
- Nokia May Produce Windows 8 Tablets
- Samsung Announces New UK Release Date for Galaxy Note
- Blizzard: F2P (Still) Not the Best Model for WoW
- HP TouchPad's History: Lessons Learned, Bidding Adieu
- Sky Promises Sky Go for Android Soon
- Goverment Reports ''Disturbing'' Cyber Attacks on UK
- Nokia Launches Free WiFi Trial in London
- AMD's Bulldozer Pushed to 8.46 GHz, Breaks Own Record
- Asus: Transformer Prime Will Launch with Honeycomb
- ARM Preps Entry In 64-bit Server Market
- U.S. Web-Blocking Devices Used By Syrian Government
I waited a long time for WebOs devices. The Pre phones were barely available in the UK, and from the odd retailer where they were at silly prices and uncertain delivery.
Then along came the PlayPad, without 3G connectivity, Sd card slots, or the ability to be a USB host. OK, you could touch-link it to a pre phone. If you could find one of those. I had really wanted to return to my memories of palm goodness, but it was all so massively disappointing.
Then, instead of sorting out the problems HP threw the baby and bathwater out of a top-floor window. Fortunately they threw the idiot who made the decision out of the same window a few weeks later, but the damage had been done. Then they tried to sell the software to anyone who would listen, none of whom were daft enough to indulge them.
Why on earth would any developer waste time writing apps for WebOs now? Why on earth would consumers believe HP a second time around?