We just spoke with both Brian Humphries, HP's Senior VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, and Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein, and came away with a pretty positive picture for the future of Palm. The money quote is that HP plans to be "doubling down on webOS," and that was confirmed in speaking with Palm's honcho, who says that "that was the whole point." Not only that, but we've confirmed on both ends that Jon will be staying on with the company, along with much of the existing Palm hierarchy. There are plenty of transition details to work out, but Jon says there will be lots of time for all that during regulatory and shareholder approval. The word is that Palm's existing hardware roadmap is basically untouched at this point by this acquisition, but the good news on the HP end of things is that the company sees webOS as a "prized asset," and they intend to "scale it across multiple connected devices." That sounds like tablets to us, and HP didn't beat back that assumption. On the Palm hardware end, Jon is very fond of saying "scale," referring to the money and manufacturing resources at HP's disposal, but he also says that he sees Palm working hand in hand with HP on devices. One point that both companies were less clear on was the Palm branding itself -- you know, whether Palm will stay Palm. Both Brian and Jon said those kinds of details would be worked out as the acquisition went forward, but offered no concrete comment on it otherwise.
Money-wise we asked if Jon thought HP could provide the sort of "ammunition" to beat Apple, Google, and Microsoft at their own mobile game, and Jon says "I don't think HP would do this unless they were willing to make the kind of investment necessary to win." HP calls webOS a "compelling operating system," but that Palm didn't have the money to compete and "scale it across multiple form factors," and that it's exactly HP's financial wherewithal, brand, and corporate culture that it brings to the table. HP and Palm won't comment specifically on the forthcoming device roadmap, but HP did confirm that it had tested the platform "to make sure it scales." They keep saying "scale," but all we're hearing is "tablet."
posted April 28th 2010 4:56PM
well with backing and enough money to come out with the right devices maybe they have a chance... still probably better left for dead
@obobo
As one of the (apparently) few HP fanboys out there: I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS!
Web OS on new phones, MID's, and tablets, OH MY!
@Mr Oos lol wow an HP fanboy in the flesh... interesting well you win this day sir, enjoy it
@Mr Oos I just hope the slate or any future tablets are way the hell thinner and lighter than what we've seen thus far. Otherwise, yay WebOS.
@Mr Oos HTC should of bought Palm, they would of had some extra support vs apple because of Palm's patent portfolio...maybe they could of thrown palms version of multitasking on Sense UI...It would of been sweet..I personally think HP is gonna f this one up
@Android4Eva pretty sure theyre gonna be fine against apple with Microsofts patent portfolio, no need to worry about little old HTC
@obobo lets just hope HP doesn't some how ruin Web OS..
@obobo
Bull crap. Palm has amazing software, it would be legendary when paired with great hardware (hopefully HP can supply that great hardware while Palm keeps up the good work with webOS.)
@Android4Eva
Just to preface, I currently use a Nexus One, and I love it. But Web OS is seriously awesome. It's a beautiful operating system and I actually prefer it to Sense. There's no reason to mix the two. All HP has to do with this acquisition is jump headfirst into the mobile and tablet realms with decent, affordable, hardware and they should see some positive returns.
@obobo
WebOS + Slate device = win?
@Mr Oos
Yes I knew I was not the only one
I love HP
@Android4Eva
should HAVE
could HAVE
why is this used everywhere . only two more letters to type man, can't you even try?
@Android4Eva Repeat after me: Would have.
@D1Only1 Beat me to it.
I love HP. I just hope they haven't shot themselves in the foot and abandon Windows/Android OS's on their devices... :-/
@Mr Oos HP manufactured WebOS running tablet? Yes please!
What a match made in heaven.
@racerbmw
And BMW's as well. Good taste, sir.
@Mr Oos I haven't bought a laptop that hasn't been an HP in 10 years. I had a Macbook Pro for 3 days, before I returned it and bought an HP less than half the price with which I've been exceedingly happy for 2 years.
@Mr Oos This is pretty sweet!! Not only does it help keep the very cool WebOS around and Palm's probably cool roadmap but it also gives up the opportunity to see a capital influx that was needed to work out the kinks in the OS and the hardware. I seriously can not wait till they make a WebOS tablet!! That would really be one killer device!
@obobo Expect 95% of current Palm employees to be laid off, this is what HP does. Absorbs the goods then lays everyone off.
For real, Engadget... How many times are you going to use that picture?
@MrAkash was it an EliteBook? because im looking into buying one soon
Belated April fools.
In A.D. 2010
War was beginning
Captain: What happen?
Operator: HP set us up the palm.
@Mr Oos
I bet they make beautiful babies together.
@Mr Oos I have always liked HP cell phones as well.
For me the interesting part is... Dell hitting with a buncha various platform devices (see recent Engadget leak post), and HP turns around and BUYS Palm.
Wonder how this will shake out.
@Android4Eva I hope this won't rage all you android fan boys out there too much but anyone who thinks HTC should have bought palm and screwed up webos with some laggy shitty skin which barely passes as a UI is literally a tard. I currently have a nexus and the original gsm pre and I use the pre 9/10 out of ten. Android is clunky and boring, webOS is fast intuitive, powerfull and efficient and it has much better games. Everyone hypes all these shitty HTC superphones with all their spec sheets but the fact remains the Pre's screen is more responsive and has better readability in sunlight, the Pre's camera is quicker to focus and has much less shutter lag, the Pre is a sensible size and weight, the Pre has an amazing full hardware keyboard and superior graphics and multitasking power packed into a shell considerably smaller than any HTC device.
HTC is not even in the same league as Palm and their aquisition of the company wuld have undoubtedly ruined them.
@Mr Oos I'm with you on that score. I own a Nexus One as well and love it. But webOS is truly awesome. I never liked the Pre's build but I've always been impressed with webOS.
There are some things I still like better in Android but I give HP kudos for not allowing such a great mobile OS like webOS to die.
@cherryboom
Who bought a Pre and a pixi?
Hate to break it to you, but
phail phone company is still PHAIL !!!!!!!!!
@marxman
Apples to Oranges when comparing a Nexus One to a Pre. One has double the resolution.
Keep in mind, two failed companies in one technology, merging their interests, rarely produce a winner.
@Mr Oos
If web os goes on the hp slate... Ipad will have SERIOUS competition, they can both multitask, palm has a growing app market, and with hp's credibility The web os is built for combating the iphone os... I mean the iphone os is a bit better, but looking right now at this news Apple is going to have some ACTUAL competition for the FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES.... To be expected from the companies that started it all. Cant wait to see what new products they are going to release. Apple is looking like its reign of monarchy is going to end some time soon.. and i even own a mac....
@Darth Vadar
Comparing iPhone OS multitasking with WebOS multitasking is like comparing a Geo with a Ferrari. There is no comparison, iPhone OS falls short.
@Mr Oos I'm also an HP Lover! *Typing this from my HP Laptop*
@werty1432k
Of course right now HP are planning ways to make their new webOS devices dependant on using overpriced ink......
@Raymone you have no clue and haven't read the announcement. Get informed before opening your trap.
@cherryboom you should learn about market segments. Pre & Pixi are not for the same people, they complement each other. It's called choice, a concept not well understood by Apple bitches. Clearly, you don't have a clue.
@Mr Oos
"HP calls webOS a 'compelling operating system,' but that Palm didn't have the money to compete and 'scale it across multiple form factors,' and that it's exactly HP's financial wherewithal, brand, and corporate culture that it brings to the table."
exactly. While HTC would creat lust-worthy phones with webOS, HP is capable of taking webOS to Microsoft/Google/Apple levels of success and pervasiveness in the market. HP is going for the jugular.
@Mr Oos
and I'm pretty sure the Ipaq will be back. Any taker ?
@werty1432k I like the webOS too, seeing Palm getting a good support with HP makes it shimmer again. http://j.mp/os-by-palm-impressions
Next obvious question will be, what will it use for its app store (HP slate) Hopefully, it'll be Android! (ftw)
@SteveyAyo
At this point, Google MUST buy HTC.
Microsoft--you're in the HOT seat now.
@Mr Oos Yup. The HP tablet they made with Microsoft software was crap. Hopefully the WebOS will provide a more intuitive and better user experience.
@Mr Oos
WOW! It looks like there are now 3 major players in the mobile phone game... HP, WP7, and Android!
@Mr Oos HP+Palm is the new Apple! Wow wow wow.. Hail WebOS on an HP Slate:D
@Mr Oos Yes. Currently, Apple is like General Chang, no one can touch them, but HP just bought a webOS torpedo. Things can get interesting with special modifications like that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KwTW6EzY1c
@RottingOrange
name some great HP hardware?
the hx4700 was fairly groovy.
since?
the Slate has potential, but - as of now - that's all it has. hopefully, this works, but the HP mobile product I've experienced of late doesn't really encourage me.
@Miakandogadget Gosh dang it Maikandogadget, don't scare me like that!!
@Mr Oos
You are one of the few HP fan boys... though I am sitting here typing on my HP business notebook, with my Palm Pre... the office has all HPs and an HP server and at home I have an HP netbook and desktop.
Oh yeah and before the Pre I had a Centro, a handful of Treos, and then I'll flashback and tell you I go back to Palm PDAs back to the III series!
So I guess I've been hoping this day would come!
@c w j With sh** like windows mobile on a phone I don't blame you.
HOLY Shit Batman