About six weeks ago I wrote a newsletter outlining HP's options for webOS given the tepid response to the TouchPad (gdgt.com/discuss/can-hp-turn-around-the-touchpad-e...). The very first one was that they cut their losses and get out, something I thought unlikely, but apparently they've decided to go ahead and do just that.
How shocked and/or pissed are all the TouchPad owners out there? I was kind of looking forward to giving the Pre 3 a test drive, guess that won't be happening now.
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TouchPad owners: How are you reacting to the news?
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I am very disheartened to see HP shut down its webOS operations. I really hope that someone can pick up webOS where HP left off, and put some honest effort into it.
It's a fantastic mobile platform with a lot of potential that was consistently spoiled by shoddy hardware design, terrible marketing, and bad launch execution. And that's a damn shame, because I think it had the best chance out of anyone at giving Apple some honest competition.
With the negative reviews and buzz surrounding webOS devices over the years, it seems people have dismissed the whole platform as a tech failure. But for all of its shortcomings, it's easy to gloss over just how many things webOS got right, things that iOS and Android are still trying to catch up on — the intuitive multitasking interface, the notifications system, the use of gestures, connecting to all of your accounts in the cloud and never having to plug in to sync — there's a lot to like about it.
As a Mac, iPhone, and iPad owner, I'm well entrenched in Apple's ecosystem and I admire their design philosophy. But for all of the polish that iOS has, there are lots of things in webOS that are just so much better, even to this day. I have the iOS 5 beta running on my iPhone, and Apple's new notification system is still terrible and intrusive. Go ahead and laugh, Apple fanboys, but I like using my TouchPad more than my iPad. Multitasking is fluid and intuitive on webOS, and it really shines on the tablet form factor. I like never having to plug it in to charge, and being able to dock it in landscape. Even the little things, like having a number row on the virtual keyboard, and being able to resize the keyboard to fit my hands. Or Flash support — do I want to see Adobe Flash die? Absolutely, but I like that I can load up Hulu in the TouchPad's browser and stream The Daily Show for free, smoothly, without issue.
So yes, I'm disappointed that TouchPad software updates will inevitably come to a halt. But mostly I'm disappointed that consumers now have even fewer choices, and that a fledgling platform with so much potential has once again been mismanaged.
It's a fantastic mobile platform with a lot of potential that was consistently spoiled by shoddy hardware design, terrible marketing, and bad launch execution. And that's a damn shame, because I think it had the best chance out of anyone at giving Apple some honest competition.
With the negative reviews and buzz surrounding webOS devices over the years, it seems people have dismissed the whole platform as a tech failure. But for all of its shortcomings, it's easy to gloss over just how many things webOS got right, things that iOS and Android are still trying to catch up on — the intuitive multitasking interface, the notifications system, the use of gestures, connecting to all of your accounts in the cloud and never having to plug in to sync — there's a lot to like about it.
As a Mac, iPhone, and iPad owner, I'm well entrenched in Apple's ecosystem and I admire their design philosophy. But for all of the polish that iOS has, there are lots of things in webOS that are just so much better, even to this day. I have the iOS 5 beta running on my iPhone, and Apple's new notification system is still terrible and intrusive. Go ahead and laugh, Apple fanboys, but I like using my TouchPad more than my iPad. Multitasking is fluid and intuitive on webOS, and it really shines on the tablet form factor. I like never having to plug it in to charge, and being able to dock it in landscape. Even the little things, like having a number row on the virtual keyboard, and being able to resize the keyboard to fit my hands. Or Flash support — do I want to see Adobe Flash die? Absolutely, but I like that I can load up Hulu in the TouchPad's browser and stream The Daily Show for free, smoothly, without issue.
So yes, I'm disappointed that TouchPad software updates will inevitably come to a halt. But mostly I'm disappointed that consumers now have even fewer choices, and that a fledgling platform with so much potential has once again been mismanaged.
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This is totally devastating. This sucks really bad. Totally pissed. Dissapointing. I really prefer webos over the other options. Now I'm left with a orphan platform and will probably have to move (eventually) back to iOS or whatever. So now I realize that all the bugs in my Pre2 will never ever be fixed. Thanks a lot HP you "HPs" (in Spanish HP can be Hijo de P....)
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Feels the same as it did when I learned about Firefly being killed
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I have developer friends who have been telling me since the Pre that WebOS is the best mobile OS out there, how amazing it is to be able to compile Linux software to run on it, etc.... This just proves what I told them then... the best rarely wins over the good enough.
I am going to be really intrigued to see what they do with the software going forward. I guess it really will be relegated to the "HP printer OS" after all. I suppose it is possible that they are selling the software and can't sat anything about it until the products using it hit shelves (Amazon tablet, perhaps?). That might make more sense than hanging onto it at this point.
I am sorry for those who invested in this platform, at least you will have a unique collector's item in the future... much like those of us still running Psion devices.
I am going to be really intrigued to see what they do with the software going forward. I guess it really will be relegated to the "HP printer OS" after all. I suppose it is possible that they are selling the software and can't sat anything about it until the products using it hit shelves (Amazon tablet, perhaps?). That might make more sense than hanging onto it at this point.
I am sorry for those who invested in this platform, at least you will have a unique collector's item in the future... much like those of us still running Psion devices.
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Surprisingly, I'm not as upset as I thought I would be. I just had my TouchPad delivered yesterday (got it from Woot when the price drop happened) so I haven't even had a chance to play with it and already it's dead. However, when I finally pulled the trigger on it, my expectations were low and was really just purchasing it as a novelty rather than a device I intended to use on a daily basis.
What does disappoint me is the fact that WebOS had real promise. The ideas that had been shared with the public such as touch-to-share and how well integrated WebOS devices would be really appealed to me. WebOS seemed to be poised to create a great eco-system.
The possible upside of this is that WebOS could be licensed to other manufacturers. While this could lead to an Android like fragmentation issue, it would be nice to see WebOS on proper hardware.
What does disappoint me is the fact that WebOS had real promise. The ideas that had been shared with the public such as touch-to-share and how well integrated WebOS devices would be really appealed to me. WebOS seemed to be poised to create a great eco-system.
The possible upside of this is that WebOS could be licensed to other manufacturers. While this could lead to an Android like fragmentation issue, it would be nice to see WebOS on proper hardware.
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I honestly think that most people who went out and bought a TouchPad did it for the novelty of the device. Maybe they still had a Pre 2 and wanted to see how well the Tablet works, but I'd be willing to guess that over 50% of TouchPad buyers already had an Android tablet or an iPad. I'd even be willing to go so far as to say that the majority of TouchPad's were bought during that one weekend when everyone thought it was amazing that the price dropped $100 - something I did (being an iPad 2 owner). I returned it three days later.
If you look at Best Buy's sales figures (www.bgr.com/2011/08/17/hp-touchpad-a-dud-at-best-b...) they had less than 10% sell-through rate which just goes to show that there were honestly hardly any of these sold.
However, obviously some were sold, so what do those people do? According to MacRumors, they are (for the meantime) only discontinuing their hardware services - and will continue to support the software for an indefinite amount of time (www.macrumors.com/2011/08/18/hp-to-spin-off-pc-bus...).
In the end, I have to imagine that the people who went out and bought a TouchPad knew what they were getting into, but if they didn't, I definitely believe they have the right to be a little outraged over this whole kerfuffle.
If you look at Best Buy's sales figures (www.bgr.com/2011/08/17/hp-touchpad-a-dud-at-best-b...) they had less than 10% sell-through rate which just goes to show that there were honestly hardly any of these sold.
However, obviously some were sold, so what do those people do? According to MacRumors, they are (for the meantime) only discontinuing their hardware services - and will continue to support the software for an indefinite amount of time (www.macrumors.com/2011/08/18/hp-to-spin-off-pc-bus...).
In the end, I have to imagine that the people who went out and bought a TouchPad knew what they were getting into, but if they didn't, I definitely believe they have the right to be a little outraged over this whole kerfuffle.
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After a couple of weeks of use, I decided to put it up on eBay yesterday. Poor bidder already bid on it.
WebOS is great concept with poor execution. Hopefully the WebOS division will be able to focus on software now.
WebOS is great concept with poor execution. Hopefully the WebOS division will be able to focus on software now.
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Shocked and awed. This is even faster than the MS Kin pull out. What happened to "this is a marathon", "We're doubling down on WebOS", "It's going to be better than #1, it'll be 1+!"
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As a less than 2 week owner of a 32gb TouchPad, I'm pissed in some ways. I mean, it's a well put together product. The pieces I've used from it so far have been very good (email, web, IM, Facebook app, QuickOffice). There's a few odd UI details, like a BACK and DONE button instead of the swipes in the gesture area (I'm also a Palm Pre - Sprint user).
What of the webOS itself as a software platform? I'm hoping that HP keeps and maintains developers and the app store. Killing that off will surely kill the entire platform overnight, with people tossing their phones and tablets into the river.
It's sad that two companies f'd up a totally usable OS for phones and tablets. It's got potential, but this blow to the entire platform with today's announcement is not going to help any webOS momentum Palm and HP have built.
Guess we will see if they pass the hardware off to others/licensees or if they just simply kill them off. I was very much looking forward to upgrading my aging Pre to a Pre3, but guess that's up in the air now.
Since their merger with Compaq years ago, HP hasn't been the best managed company. I miss the early 90's when they made the HP 95LX and they had a loyal following and made good on their products. Their PC line is still pretty good today, but cheaper parts lead to more breakdowns, at least that's what I've experienced as my day time gig as a Network Admin.
This may just make the entire webOS community bond together more.
What of the webOS itself as a software platform? I'm hoping that HP keeps and maintains developers and the app store. Killing that off will surely kill the entire platform overnight, with people tossing their phones and tablets into the river.
It's sad that two companies f'd up a totally usable OS for phones and tablets. It's got potential, but this blow to the entire platform with today's announcement is not going to help any webOS momentum Palm and HP have built.
Guess we will see if they pass the hardware off to others/licensees or if they just simply kill them off. I was very much looking forward to upgrading my aging Pre to a Pre3, but guess that's up in the air now.
Since their merger with Compaq years ago, HP hasn't been the best managed company. I miss the early 90's when they made the HP 95LX and they had a loyal following and made good on their products. Their PC line is still pretty good today, but cheaper parts lead to more breakdowns, at least that's what I've experienced as my day time gig as a Network Admin.
This may just make the entire webOS community bond together more.
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At the time you asked I replied " I'm afraid that sadly it is option 1, HP cutting their losses, which is looking more and more like the most viable solution." I'm surprised it happened this soon, though.
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WebOS schedule wise: Palm blew it then HP blew it. The smartphone market is worldwide if you announce a product in january you release it before the end of march.
As a Palm/Handspring former user, I was exited by the Palm Pré. But it came too late in CDMA (I live in France so no GSM = NOGO). By the time it was released in the US, Apple announced the iPhone 3GS. Which I bought it on the release date.
Then came the Touchpad / Pré 3 announcement.... HP used the same crappy too early announcement. You blew it once again.
As a Palm/Handspring former user, I was exited by the Palm Pré. But it came too late in CDMA (I live in France so no GSM = NOGO). By the time it was released in the US, Apple announced the iPhone 3GS. Which I bought it on the release date.
Then came the Touchpad / Pré 3 announcement.... HP used the same crappy too early announcement. You blew it once again.
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[sadness] Palm has long been floating on the emotional cloud of those of us who long for their solid return to relevance. We all held high hopes of their success with webOS and held our breath longer as we waited for the eco-system to (re)build. Sadly, that day will not come.
But, the "Palm group" has little but itself to blame. While riding the edge of viability, always a little too late with too little, they compounded their delays by needlessly revamping the webOS SDK (software development kit) with the introduction of their TouchPad, dumping their prior, well designed SDK. Not only does this frustrate 3rd party developers that are instrumental in building their ecosystem, it sends a message that there is a lack of consistent vision for the webOS platform.
It is sad that HP didn't have the fortitude to stick with Palm a bit longer, but I am not sure that I can blame them, entirely.
But, the "Palm group" has little but itself to blame. While riding the edge of viability, always a little too late with too little, they compounded their delays by needlessly revamping the webOS SDK (software development kit) with the introduction of their TouchPad, dumping their prior, well designed SDK. Not only does this frustrate 3rd party developers that are instrumental in building their ecosystem, it sends a message that there is a lack of consistent vision for the webOS platform.
It is sad that HP didn't have the fortitude to stick with Palm a bit longer, but I am not sure that I can blame them, entirely.
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Let's remember that there are actual PEOPLE working in the webOS group who work their asses off to get these products out to market. It's easy for people to blame HP as this faceless entity, but those of us who've met the people in the webOS developer relations group know better. I worry about the hard-working people in that group and hope they come out of all this chaos alright.
That said, I am disappointed that HP is discontinuing the webOS devices so soon, and perhaps I'm being super-naive, but I wonder if they are doing this to try to capitalize on the Google-Motorola Mobility sale. Been hearing lots of news saying Google's Android partners are feeling incredibly slighted by this turn of events, and HP might want to license webOS to one or more of these partners (many think HTC). HP can't do it right if HP is still making webOS devices themselves.
That said, I am disappointed that HP is discontinuing the webOS devices so soon, and perhaps I'm being super-naive, but I wonder if they are doing this to try to capitalize on the Google-Motorola Mobility sale. Been hearing lots of news saying Google's Android partners are feeling incredibly slighted by this turn of events, and HP might want to license webOS to one or more of these partners (many think HTC). HP can't do it right if HP is still making webOS devices themselves.
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I feel betrayed. I didn't mind the price cut but they sold me on the TouchPad with the ecosystem and the ecosystem didn't even come to fruition.
I understand the business of this but it is severely depressing when HP off the bat bragged about their scale, couldn't release any desirable products.
I understand the business of this but it is severely depressing when HP off the bat bragged about their scale, couldn't release any desirable products.
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It would be very cool to see Amazon acquire Web OS. It makes sense because then they have control over the OS rather than just orbiting around Google's plans for Android. We know they are going to customize their first tablet and it will be Android. But still, the autonomy could be interesting. I believe Apple bid for Palm before but their plans were probably in the way of killing a competitor and acquiring talent. If they are allowed to, they might as well with their cash position. Or... let's say things aren't going so well with Nokia and Microsoft's marriage and Nokia wants a different way.
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After a year or so they're going to cut and run? Wow. Not much for staying power are they? They should have at least hung in there - maybe stayed with phone market/tablets and outsourced the OS distribution and just retreated from PC manufacturing.
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Totally pissed. I have stuck with Palm WAY too long. F@$% them.
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Not a Touchpad owner, but a Palm user and fan for years. This sucks and it shows how quickly the market is moving. Who is next? Windows Phone 7? The Blackberry Playbook?
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This is terrible. Webos is the best mobile os ive ever used! I hope HP open sources webos. Very sad day for the amazing webos community
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I would be pissed if I hadn't already given up on HP and webos. When I heard the pre3 wasn't coming to sprint i was sooo mad and sad. Now I guess I understand why it's not. Screw HP. They ruined 2 product launches, launched a lackluster touchpad made of plastic, and ruined my webos dreams. Fingers crossed for iOS on sprint in sept.
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hopefully the price will go way down since they're being discontinued. It's still very good hardware, so it'll be fun to mod it.
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Glad i did not buy one.. might if they clear them off for $99
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I'm not a TouchPad owner, but as a launch Pre owner, I was very much looking forward to seeing how WebOS would evolve. You have to feel for the early adopters who defended their purchase. Who could have seen this coming? This is why I was so upset when HP bought Palm. It's the same thing that happened to Voodoo PC and so many others.
Had they just left Palm alone, maybe something interesting would have come of it. Maybe if one of those other 'secret bidders' that John Rubenstein mentioned would have taken Palm, they'd be in a better place. Damn shame it had to end like this.
Had they just left Palm alone, maybe something interesting would have come of it. Maybe if one of those other 'secret bidders' that John Rubenstein mentioned would have taken Palm, they'd be in a better place. Damn shame it had to end like this.
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I don't own the TouchPad. But I was on the cusp of getting one.
I love WebOS, I always have. I wanted HP to *take* it somewhere. This news tells me they don't care, they don't want to, they're giving up.
I'm listening to the earnings call now. I'm not liking what I hear. I'm pissed. I'm sad. I'm almost distraught.
WebOS had serious potential, it's 100x better than Android (and iOS in my opinion).
They complain because the TouchPad wasn't selling after the cut. They cut it one week ago. Are you telling me they decided to do this less than a week ago? This is insane and crazy and horrible.
I love WebOS, I always have. I wanted HP to *take* it somewhere. This news tells me they don't care, they don't want to, they're giving up.
I'm listening to the earnings call now. I'm not liking what I hear. I'm pissed. I'm sad. I'm almost distraught.
WebOS had serious potential, it's 100x better than Android (and iOS in my opinion).
They complain because the TouchPad wasn't selling after the cut. They cut it one week ago. Are you telling me they decided to do this less than a week ago? This is insane and crazy and horrible.
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As the owner of an HP tm2 tablet PC, I'm grateful that I'm running Windows, and that Windows 8 is on the horizon. I only have to depend on HP for technical support, which has always been shitty, so nothing will change, even with them spinning off the hardware business.
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I have never used WebOS and never liked any Palm product. HP sucks in general at everything except printers. Their laptops have the shortest average lifespan compared to every other big manufacturer.
This is like Microsoft cancelling the ZuneHD early; regardless of the quality of the product or experience, the marketing sucked, no one bought it and it wasn't really successful.
Anyone want to tell me why a person would have a favorable opinion towards Palm? Making an OS that's awesome on subpar products is akin to learning Latin in today's world. It's a waste except for a very small niche.
I don't think everyone should own the same phone, but fragmentation makes sure that some people are losers, and Palm has lost over and over again. HP buying them made some sense thinking that HP was getting into the smartphone market, but Apple owns tablets. Competing with the iPad is like competing with the Yankees, you'll win some games/markets, but you're always at the disadvantage because of name recognition and marketing. The only way to ship these are if they drop the price to something ridiculous like $100.
This is like Microsoft cancelling the ZuneHD early; regardless of the quality of the product or experience, the marketing sucked, no one bought it and it wasn't really successful.
Anyone want to tell me why a person would have a favorable opinion towards Palm? Making an OS that's awesome on subpar products is akin to learning Latin in today's world. It's a waste except for a very small niche.
I don't think everyone should own the same phone, but fragmentation makes sure that some people are losers, and Palm has lost over and over again. HP buying them made some sense thinking that HP was getting into the smartphone market, but Apple owns tablets. Competing with the iPad is like competing with the Yankees, you'll win some games/markets, but you're always at the disadvantage because of name recognition and marketing. The only way to ship these are if they drop the price to something ridiculous like $100.
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Let's be honest, we knew this was coming once HP bought Palm. Jon Rubenstein's enormous ego must have a mighty big ding in it today.
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