HP: opportunities for webOS 'smartphones, slates, and potentially netbooks'
By Ross Miller 
posted April 28th 2010 4:55PM
posted April 28th 2010 4:55PM
Color us excited. HP's Todd Bradley just made an interesting proposition on the conference call about its Palm acquisition. Specifically, Bradley said, "Between smartphones, slates, and potentially netbooks, there are a lot of opportunities here." You read that right: slates and potentially netbooks. The tablet route is pretty obvious, but having the netbook / smartbook form factor is quite a twist. Think about it, a Foleo descendant you can be proud of -- whodathunkit? If you're worried HP has forgotten about other platforms, we need only point in the direction of the Android-fueled Airlife. Obviously nothing to announce at this point, but doesn't that just get us hopeful -- roadmap announcements are said to be forthcoming closer to the merger being finalized. The call is still ongoing, so stay tuned!
Yeah, I definitely would buy an HP with WebOS
@Joe Cool
I love HP, always have. This last year I changed from a HP laptop for a MacBook and also got an iPhone. I wish I hadn't.. The MacBook is rubish, with countless problems, as is the iPhone..
Once these devices hit the market, if they are in the form that is expected I am sure to get a HP WebOS slate and Phone..
@insy Apple, Microsoft, and now HP... three of the largest high tech companies on the planet.
@ViperVin
@insy
My first HP product was an iPaq way back in the day. If they bring WebOS to the iPaq, I might have to give up my iPodTouch :)
But what I really want to see is how they are going to "connect" everything. What does that even mean? Does that mean iPaq connects to Slate that connects to NetBook that connects to.... WebOS enabled Deskjet Printer?! hmmmmm..... Interesting
@insy For some reason, I don't believe you.
@insy Thats what I say about Dell and HP; Rubbish. I suspect you don't own any Apple products...Nice trolling...
@Joe Cool
I would not choose a webOS slate over Windows because there is no folder system on webOS, no ability to print on webOS, no file system, no widgets, no video chat software, no ability to install alternate web browsers, very limited codec support, and the text selection needs a lot of work. Virtually none of the Windows software I use on a daily basis is available for webOS at this point. A webOS tablet just like an iPhone OS tablet would be fun for 5 minutes but then just leave me yearning for a Windows computer.
webOS is a great mobile OS relative to iPhone OS, Windows Phone, and Android, but not relative to Windows 7, Mac OS X, or Linux.
WebOS powered printer?
Hells yeah
@Joe Cool
same here, I guess i would buy Slate with webOS
@cool8man
"no ability to print on webOS"
HP, one of the largest printing manufactures in the world just bought WebOS and talked about connectivity. I think that specific issue will be addressed very quickly.
@Joe Cool much like widgets, video chat software, ability to install alternate web browsers, codec support, and text selection.
Apps could have all that settled in weeks.
@Joe Cool Just the mere thought of HP slate running on webOS makes me happy already. Next question: What will be its app store? http://j.mp/hp-slate-experience
@Joe Cool. hey HP, don't do a Heidi Montag, WebOS is beautiful software, please do not hack-it up!
@scorpeo
lol
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a1da6ff653/heidi-montag-says-no-to-plastic
@cool8man: They're actually adding all that folder stuff to the PDK. There's been a homebrew app that accesses the underlying Linux folders for awhile now. Remember, webOS is basically a very touchscreen friendly flavor of Linux. That said, web enabled folders that don't suck are a reality on webOS vs. Windows.
The only thing that would hold me back from a webOS enabled netbook would be that I do a lot of Windows development as well, and I'd be stuck dual booting OS's on a netbook thanks to Microsoft. But I'd totally love to use webOS on a tablet, and I can see some value in using webOS on a tablet. I'd never throw money away on an iPad simply because it just isn't powerful enough for what I'd want, but a webOS tablet would actually be worth having around for a lot of things. I can see why someone would want it on a netbook, too...the very tightly integrated universal search (just start typing and the stuff you want pops up, regardless of whether it's an app, a contact, a memo, or a web site or bookmark). It would need a lot of additional work, but it could be amazing on a netbook used only for web browsing, organization, network oriented collaboration, communication...webOS does all that stuff really well.
@Joe Cool
I would EASILY say that webOS is FAR more usable on a slate than Windows 7 or Android. Kudos to you, HP.
@zullnero webOS is an amazing OS for something that is not even a year old, but it is not nearly mature enough to be considered a legitimate replacement for Windows 7.
When webOS gets stuff like printing, folders, a user accessible file system, multiple web browsers, improved codec support and a robust software marketplace then I can start taking it seriously as a Windows alternative. Until then it's just a novelty and a toy for enthusiasts. Sure we'd all like to play around with webOS on a tablet for a short period of time, but I think relatively few would be willing to discard Windows, Mac, or Linux for webOS.
@cool8man
not relative to linux? lol. it's linux based (in the linux family). also, is a there is an app available to make the file system viewable thanks to webos internals group. as for widgets? clutter.
research teh interwebs, please.
I would totally get the slate with webos. It would be key.
@Joe Cool Me too. webOS ftw!
@cool8man You obviously have no clue what you're talking about. WebOS runs on a linux variant. Yes below the UI is a full filesystem with folders and everything. Just about anything can be done with it. I've installed over 40 modifications to my Pre and that's just a start. There really is no limitation with it.
@Joe Cool Let me run this by everyone. Have you all seen the Microsoft Courier? I think the form factor is spot on. Now imagine it running WebOS.
@Joe Cool That's funny. I read somewhere that those are 700cc each. Sheesh.....
@Joe Cool How come there's no mention that the Todd Bradley quoted in this article, who is currently the executive vice president of HP's Personal Systems Group, was previously the CEO of Palm(One) right before he came to HP!?
http://venturebeat.com/2010/04/28/bio-todd-bradley-hp-palm
WebOS on a tablet?
Yes.
@Leindurstit Make, it, happen.
@N900 I want a WebOS-LIKE interface, not WebOS itself on a tablet. Smartphone OSes don't really stretch well. That includes iPhone OS.
@soren121
The WebOS was built to be scalable, and run on tablets or phones. There is no stretching and retooling like the iPhone OS.
@Leindurstit
I don't know about you guys but is just seems like that HP slate with webOS looks cooler than the iPad and the same Hp slate with windows 7 combined. Also who knows maybe webOS on that tablet will run flash in a much more stable way than the windows 7 version.
Either way I'm liking this.
my comment feels quite lonely
p.s. webos on slates. n1
Damn...I Made a Mess in My Pant's Looking At That HP Slate/webOS Hybrid.
This has made the HP Slate a whole lot more appealing, i hope they can put WebOS on a HP tablet ASAP!
So I guess HP doesn't think Windows 7 is enough for tablets?
@Dr Kwame Nkrumah
windows 7 on a tablet is too much, leave windows 7 to laptops and desktops.
webos on tablet is pure sex
@Dr Kwame Nkrumah No, it means HP doesn't stick to one thing. Their netbooks can come with Ubuntu pre-installed.
@Dr Kwame Nkrumah
Disagree completely. You know some people still like to do silly little things like print. Would you honestly give up a desktop web browser like Firefox for the webOS browser?
I am a HUGE fan of my Palm Pre, but I wouldn't trade all my Windows software and functionality for webOS at this point. webOS is very good, but it's still an immature operating system. It's only a year old and missing a lot of features and software that is freely available on Windows. That's an understatement. There's millions upon millions of software applications for Windows and only two thousand for webOS.
I think HP made a good purchase, but they are also making a very smart move by sticking with Windows too.
@cool8man And that's fine and all, but you won't find a good purchase from their current crop of Atoms with 1GB of RAM. The Slate, while stylish and sleek, is practically an underpowered netbook; it would be ill to get one over a TM2 or a lenovo tablet.
@N900 An HP TM2 weighs 5lbs. versus an HP Slate which weighs 1.5lbs. The TM2 is as useless as a slate computer as the iPad is as an MP3 player. Size and physicality comes into the equation moreso than CPU speeds and RAM.
@cool8man
But its an OS that even I can program for using their kick ass SDK. You will see their app catalog grow like gang busters now...you wait. This is a game changer and if anyone can pull this all off it's HP. Seriously, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Nokia - hell everyone important just sat up and noticed the sudden pee puddle around their ankles.
@cool8man Actually you have the equation wrong. The HP Slate is on the receiving end of all that uselessness. I mean, the weight is obvious (and by the way, the TM2 is 4 pounds, like 2 keyboards duct-taped together, so if that's too heavy for you..0.0), it's light because it doesn't have a big battery life, better digitizer, or a better processor. It runs a Z530 (1st Gen Atom), and 1GB of in-expandable RAM. You ever watch a Youtube Vid on those specs? You ever use multiple processes with those specs?
I mean, you're gonna have to tell me in detail all the things you'll be doing on an HP Slate that would be way better than on a TM2, moreover why you think content consumption is better on a laptop/desktop OS than a light OS.
@N900 Nice try. The TM 2 is 4.72lbs according to HP's site which is basically 5lbs and almost 2 inches thick. You are out of your mind if you think that is not too heavy and cumbersome for a tablet. Most people think the iPad is too heavy to use comfortably for extended periods of time and it's only 1.5lbs.
Anyway I've owned 2 Tx series HP Tablets and both of them were too heavy, too thick and too big to be used comfortably for reading and browsing the web. Not to mention they also ran very hot and hand a noisy fan.
The HP Slate is a marvel because it uses the previously unavailable Atom processors which allow a 1.5lb half-inch thick machine that doesn't need fans to be possible. The HP tablets thus far have been failures with consumers because they were too expensive $1,000+, too heavy, too thick, too noisy, and too hot. The HP Slate addresses all of these problems and puts together a more consumer friendly device.
"You ever watch a Youtube Vid on those specs? You ever use multiple processes with those specs?"
The HP Slate uses hardware acceleration for Flash video. There is a detailed video demonstrating Flash video running on an HP Slate off of MTV's website and it runs perfectly fine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-RZAwQq0E
@cool8man @cool8man We must have been talking about 2 separate things, you were using those tablets for media consumption, just for reading and browsing the web, why? Most tablets like those with Full OS' were recently used for media creation, so I don't get why you would even buy a tablet running Windows 7 just for web browsing and reading books. I used a tx2 for digital art, primarily.
I completely agree with you that the TM2 and other tablets are failed, for consumptions uses, and that the Slate will be better receptive.
But no I don't see it. I would rather have a light, fast OS with many capable apps (that isn't locked and can be matured and developed upon). WebOS for one.
@N900 Well sure for a vertical market like digital art the HP Slate is the wrong device. The 8.9" screen is probably reason enough to not choose it. I seriously doubt the digitizer is on par with that of an expensive tablet PC either. And of course Photoshop and digital art programs are going to run better on a laptop than a netbook.
The HP Slate is not meant for vertical markets though, it is meant to target the Windows netbook consumer -- casual consumers with light productivity needs. Netbooks have sold over 120 million units and are a worldwide phenomenon. This is a much bigger market than the existing Tablet PC market.
The problem with a webOS tablet is that productivity is impossible (no decent document programs, no file/folder system, no printing, limited vertical market apps) and media consumption is greatly hindered (limited web browser choice, limited Internet plug-in support, codec support, limited media store access, etc.). A webOS tablet with a few thousand apps is even more limited than an iPad which is already absurdly limited compared to a Windows tablet.
I'm sorry but I don't understand how someone can think an iPad is a joke but think that a webOS tablet is a great product. The only things I'll give you as advantages are better multitasking and open app distribution. Otherwise it's just as flawed of a product as an iPad is compared to any similarly priced netbook.
@cool8man
Netbooks have not sold 120 million units!
@cool8man well I never said the iPad was a joke. I said it was a device that would grow on me eventually. In fact in many of these tablet articles, I was for the iPad concerning media consumption. But I definitely see the point you are making in comparing the maturity between the light and full OS'. Oh and if this comment ends somewhere random, you can blame my shitty browser.
Good for palm, good for HP.
This is what MS should be doing with the Zune software, make it portable on all levels on multiple devices.
Wow, this is quite the development. An HP Slate w/webOS? Yes!
Web OS on a netbook. That would be killer
WebOS RULES!!!!