StephenDewitt
Latest
The Engadget Interview: HP's Stephen DeWitt discusses the state of webOS
The last time we spoke with Stephen DeWitt, the head of HP's webOS global business unit was on the defensive about the TouchPad. In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- the anticipation of the device, the first webOS tablet received a lukewarm reception at hands of reviewers. DeWitt vigorously defended the slate against the critics, suggesting that technology writers had been approaching the product the wrong way. A lot has happened since that conversation, of course, including reports of unmoved stock and, more significantly, yesterday's news that HP would effectively be discontinuing production on its webOS devices, the TouchPad included. There's been a good deal of confusion around precisely what yesterday's announcement means for both the company and the mobile operating system that it picked up with its purchase of Palm back in April of last year. In spite of his understandably packed schedule, DeWitt sat down with us to set the record straight and shed some light on the future of webOS -- a future both he and the company remain rather optimistic about. Read on for the full interview.
Engadget Podcast 248 - 07.15.2011
Don't panic! That's not a herd of horses about to parade through your living room, but it is the noise that only 10 Engadget Podcasters can make as they run through your WiFi and into your speakers for this, the first-ever Engadget Partycast! We'll play Twister all over some new Sony tablets, pin the tail on the red envelope, and we might even fire up the hottest new music-streaming service on the HiFi to get you moving. The party is happening right now down below underneath that play button. We're almost at capacity, but we'll let you in if you hurry the dang heck up!Host: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: Richard Lawler, Dana Wollman, Darren MurphProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Young Folks00:02:52 - Sony S1 and S2 hands-on00:03:40 - Sony's S2 tablet coming to AT&T, price and availability remain a mystery00:09:53 - Sony's VAIO Z finally arrives in the US, goes up for pre-order starting at $2,00000:15:23 - Netflix officially separates DVD, streaming pricing; $15.98 and up for both00:33:50 - Netflix streaming comes to the Nintendo 3DS tomorrow00:38:26 - The Engadget Interview: HP's Stephen DeWitt00:49:58 - Spotify launching in the US tomorrow01:02:36 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)Contact the podcastSend your questions to @tim_stevens.Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comTwitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @rjcc @danawollman @darrenmurph
The Engadget Interview: HP's Stephen DeWitt
HP caught the industry by surprise yesterday, announcing some serious executive reshuffling, with Stephen DeWitt, the company's former head of Personal Systems Group Americas stepping up to fill in the lead role at HP's webOS global business unit, while Jon Rubinstein will be in charge of PSG globally. This game of executive musical chairs raised a lot of questions with regards to the state of the company's beloved but arguably underperforming mobile operating system, particularly in the wake of the TouchPad's lukewarm reception amongst reviewers, ourselves included. We managed to grab some time with DeWitt, in spite of what's sure to be a fairly packed schedule at the moment, discussing the impact of the TouchPad's reviews, the present and future of webOS, and what smartphone he carries around in his pocket.
HP's Stephen DeWitt to lead webOS global business unit, Jon Rubinstein stepping aside
It's looking like there's a little shuffling happening at HP in the wake of the TouchPad's release -- and its somewhat less than flattering reception. The company has announced that Stephen DeWitt will be taking the lead in HP's webOS global business unit, while Jon Rubinstein will be taking over as Senior Vice President of Global Innovation for HP's Personal Systems Group -- DeWitt himself coming from PSG Americas. You'll of course know Jon as the main cheerleader for webOS in the past, appearing on our Show back in March to show off the TouchPad and the Pre 3. Will Stephen manage the same enthusiasm in extolling the finger-friendly OS's virtues, or will we instead be seeing more webOS printers? Let's all hope for the former. Update: DeWitt was previously the head PSG Americas, not the global Personal Systems Group. Stephen DiFranco will be taking over the role of SVP for PSG Americas. Update 2: The Official HP Palm Blog has added a post entitled "Next steps for HP webOS" providing a bit more context to the shift, indicating that this move is intended to "accelerate the scale and growth of its existing webOS business as well as to expand and enhance other HP product lines." So, printers, then?
