HP's is going to discontinue development of tablets and smartphones, but it sounds like they might be willing to sell webOS to someone else. The only problem is, apart from the value in the patents (which HP might conceivably hold onto anyway), why would anyone buy it at this point?
If it were cheap enough I could sort of see HTC buying it just as a hedge against Google and Microsoft, but at this point it feels like the market (and developers) have spoken, and that no matter how good webOS is or might be, that it's going to be tough to get large numbers of people to buy phones running it.
Who else do you think might want it?
Question about
Who should -- or even would -- buy webOS from HP?
top answers
peter's pick
Hands down, HTC.
webOS has JUST enough developer momentum that's it's not beyond saving. It's quite far behind, but not beyond a turnaround.
It's HP that drove it into the ground, and poor execution on hardware that doomed Palm as a unit of HP.
HTC has proven ability to execute on hardware, and to transition between platforms. They went from Windows Mobile to Android, and obviously they have a motive to expand beyond Android now, in light of the Googorola deal. In fact, they've already branched out recently with their own UI on top of BREW MP, so they're really quite nimble across mobile platforms.
I imagine HTC already has a skunk-works project for their own OS (it would kind of surprise me if they didn't) but it would be far smarter to use webOS rather than start from scratch, especially when it comes to third-party developers.
HTC's other option is betting on Windows Phone, but Microsoft's closeness with Nokia should make them nervous. Plus, the Googorola deal only increases the odds that MS will buy Nokia sooner or later, making Windows Phone a risky bet for HTC.
If I were HTC, I'd take a very close look at webOS.
Samsung and LG are also candidates, but... I just don't see it. There's something about the corporate culture of those companies - that I can't quite put my finger on - that makes me feel they're unlikely to do such a deal, or if they did, that it wouldn't work out well.
webOS has JUST enough developer momentum that's it's not beyond saving. It's quite far behind, but not beyond a turnaround.
It's HP that drove it into the ground, and poor execution on hardware that doomed Palm as a unit of HP.
HTC has proven ability to execute on hardware, and to transition between platforms. They went from Windows Mobile to Android, and obviously they have a motive to expand beyond Android now, in light of the Googorola deal. In fact, they've already branched out recently with their own UI on top of BREW MP, so they're really quite nimble across mobile platforms.
I imagine HTC already has a skunk-works project for their own OS (it would kind of surprise me if they didn't) but it would be far smarter to use webOS rather than start from scratch, especially when it comes to third-party developers.
HTC's other option is betting on Windows Phone, but Microsoft's closeness with Nokia should make them nervous. Plus, the Googorola deal only increases the odds that MS will buy Nokia sooner or later, making Windows Phone a risky bet for HTC.
If I were HTC, I'd take a very close look at webOS.
Samsung and LG are also candidates, but... I just don't see it. There's something about the corporate culture of those companies - that I can't quite put my finger on - that makes me feel they're unlikely to do such a deal, or if they did, that it wouldn't work out well.
mark as good answer
24 people like this answer
Clicking the mark as good answer button helps us highlight the best answers.
community pick
I'd *love* to see HTC build a webOS device. Their hardware is *legitimately* elegant and well built. Given some proper hardware (webOS on a dual core 1.2 Ghz chip with a 4 inch screen? YES PLEASE!), I think webOS would have had a much bigger chance.
Unfortunately, it was always too little, too late. Thanks to HP and Palm's insanely poor direction, marketing, and overall execution, we'll never know. They have no one to blame but themselves.
Unfortunately, it was always too little, too late. Thanks to HP and Palm's insanely poor direction, marketing, and overall execution, we'll never know. They have no one to blame but themselves.
mark as good answer
26 people like this answer
Amazon is the only company that could really make a business case for actually using it, I think, since no one really cares what OS runs on Amazon devices as long as they work. Now that they have the Kindle Cloud reader, all they need is an OS with a web browser. Done.
It would make for some very interesting punditry if Google bought them, though. I don't see them using it after they bought it, but would they get a patent trove along with the deal? Maybe some good talent to move over to Android development?
What a crazy week for tech industry news! :)
It would make for some very interesting punditry if Google bought them, though. I don't see them using it after they bought it, but would they get a patent trove along with the deal? Maybe some good talent to move over to Android development?
What a crazy week for tech industry news! :)
mark as good answer
7 people like this answer
Open source it and let the developers of the world make it super kick-ass! If I recall, it's based off Linux like Android so it should eventually be installable on any phone that supports Android.
I can dream...
I can dream...
mark as good answer
5 people like this answer
1. Samsung - They have the hardware and enough products to put it on. Hell, if they could mix it up with Android maybe it could work (probably not).
2. Google - This is evident for a billion reasons
3. Vizio - They don't even seem to really like Android just yet, and this would give them something cheap that has an even more elegant interface to splash all over their bargain products. Why not?
2. Google - This is evident for a billion reasons
3. Vizio - They don't even seem to really like Android just yet, and this would give them something cheap that has an even more elegant interface to splash all over their bargain products. Why not?
mark as good answer
5 people like this answer
WebOS is dead. Even if HTC or Samsung or whomever buys it there would be another year before a new WebOS phone hit the market. That's way too long of a lag time in the mobile market. It's done. Let it die.
mark as good answer
3 people like this answer
WebOS is attractive and has some great ideas integrated into it. Unfortunately, it runs like crap on every piece of hardware it has ever touched. If HP couldn't improve I'm skeptical that any other company out there has the skill and/or desire to clean it up.
There are certainly people who will be drooling over the patents though. Google and HTC really need the protection. Amazon will need patent protection when they launch their devices. Apple and Microsoft can't get enough quality patents.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Palm patent pool sells for 2x what HP paid-- for the entire company.
There are certainly people who will be drooling over the patents though. Google and HTC really need the protection. Amazon will need patent protection when they launch their devices. Apple and Microsoft can't get enough quality patents.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Palm patent pool sells for 2x what HP paid-- for the entire company.
mark as good answer
3 people like this answer
Sony could use some quality software. They are the Japanese version of Apple in terms of product design and quality for their premium products. The problems are usually software related with the Sony products I have owned.
Would Sony go outside for software help? I don't know. I think they have some really good looking tablets coming out and I am curious how much the software will suck on them. Like Chumby sucks horribly (I owned a Dash) or more like the PS3 OS only kinda sucks. If they have a lot of returns citing software trouble I could see this as an opportunity.
Anybody else thinks Sony needs help on the software side?
Would Sony go outside for software help? I don't know. I think they have some really good looking tablets coming out and I am curious how much the software will suck on them. Like Chumby sucks horribly (I owned a Dash) or more like the PS3 OS only kinda sucks. If they have a lot of returns citing software trouble I could see this as an opportunity.
Anybody else thinks Sony needs help on the software side?
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
It's likely it won't happen, but Facebook should buy WebOS. It's future is clearly set on becoming a platform. And, a lot of people think it should own a mobile platform. Now's the best chance. It'd be a steal.
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
This might be out of the blue, but I completely agree with MG Siegler: Facebook (parislemon.com/post/9092348745/time-for-facebook-t...)
It would give Facebook the ability to make the hardware they want behind an HTML5 software platform.
It would give Facebook the ability to make the hardware they want behind an HTML5 software platform.
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
This might seem crazy but I think RedHat should buy WebOS and open source it. WebOS has all the right ingredients for that and we need a truly opensource mobile OS. And please don't say Android is opensource, because if you truly believe so try to submit a code change and let me know how that goes for you.
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
I don't think Amazon would make much sense as a buyer. After all, they're in the business of retail and selling content - not the hardware or software platform businesses. Android makes a lot more sense for them because they can sell apps and content and not have to deal with building a developer community for yet another platform (that both Palm and HP have failed at, whose business is/was precisely that).
I don't think Google would make sense as a buyer now in light of the Moto acquisition. Certainly if HP has been shopping WebOS around, Google would have looked at it - and clearly they chose to buy Moto instead.
RIM won't buy it - they already bought QNX.
Nokia won't buy it - they already chose WP7 (and still have MeeGo tied up in the back room).
Intel probably won't buy it because they already have MeeGo - why start yet again with something else?
People have mentioned other handset/tablet makers like HTC, Samsung, LG, and Sony, but remember the last time Palm/WebOS was shopped around, all these companies passed on it. Why would they take it now?
At the moment it really is all about the platforms, and unfortunately WebOS is missing or lacking some key components (hardware, content, services, and developers). I've lost count how many lives Palm/WebOS has used up by now but I think it may be past 9.
Indeed, ACCESS may want it simply to complete their collection.
I don't think Google would make sense as a buyer now in light of the Moto acquisition. Certainly if HP has been shopping WebOS around, Google would have looked at it - and clearly they chose to buy Moto instead.
RIM won't buy it - they already bought QNX.
Nokia won't buy it - they already chose WP7 (and still have MeeGo tied up in the back room).
Intel probably won't buy it because they already have MeeGo - why start yet again with something else?
People have mentioned other handset/tablet makers like HTC, Samsung, LG, and Sony, but remember the last time Palm/WebOS was shopped around, all these companies passed on it. Why would they take it now?
At the moment it really is all about the platforms, and unfortunately WebOS is missing or lacking some key components (hardware, content, services, and developers). I've lost count how many lives Palm/WebOS has used up by now but I think it may be past 9.
Indeed, ACCESS may want it simply to complete their collection.
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
I don't think anyone will want to aquire WebOS without the patent portfolio that came with it. With no one to champion it, the best features of WebOS will be scavenged by the surviving mobile platforms like vultures scavenging a dead wildebeest on the African Savanna. It's a shame WebOS was not aquired by a more ambitious company than HP.
mark as good answer
2 people like this answer
If they took Matias, Google should take his work too.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
Why of course it would be ACCESS, formerly PalmSource, spun off from Palm, inc. (formerly PalmOne, formerly Palm, Inc., spun off from 3Com), soon to be renamed Palm, inc.!
....Or not.
....Or not.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
Maybe they will spin it off and name it Palm or PalmSource. Or perhaps PalmOne.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
WebOS will go the way of BeOS, both good OS's that no one ended up using
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
I could see Apple getting them for the patents... I, too, would love to see webOS on some proper hardware. The pre-style phones were just not what most people want... HTC, LG, or Samsung are all potentials... it's a good OS that was hampered by shoddy hardware... I sometimes miss my Pre...
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
From the reviews, it sounds like webOS is still a little buggy. So without a strong development effort behind it for phones and tablets, I doubt HP would get much buying interest, even if the software were free. HP would essentially have no skin in the game and therefore no real motivation to keep the development going. RIP Palm, it was fun while it lasted.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
I'm looking at the possible candidates. It looks bleak but I think HTC might bite after Google kinda screwed them a little by buying Moto.
The other candidate is Samsung, but I can't see them ditching Android as flagship.
Or yes. Sony. That *would* be intriguing.
What do I really want to happen though? I want WebOS open sourced, as Synmbian was. Only Symbian was a crap Smartphone OS. WebOS is a brilliant one.I'd develop.
The other candidate is Samsung, but I can't see them ditching Android as flagship.
Or yes. Sony. That *would* be intriguing.
What do I really want to happen though? I want WebOS open sourced, as Synmbian was. Only Symbian was a crap Smartphone OS. WebOS is a brilliant one.I'd develop.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
The companies that _should_ be in the running to buy webOS from HP are Samsung & HTC. HTC more likelier than Samsung as they are desperately in need of a mobile OS to prop up their hardware business.
As to who _would_ buy, it's going to be someone out of the left field, say Intel. I know Intel's heavily invested in Meego (and got deserted by Nokia) - they are really looking for an entry into the mobile devices somehow. Buying webOS and investing in it heavily would be a good way for Intel to gain an entry to making mobile devices and hence mobile processors/SoCs.
As to who _would_ buy, it's going to be someone out of the left field, say Intel. I know Intel's heavily invested in Meego (and got deserted by Nokia) - they are really looking for an entry into the mobile devices somehow. Buying webOS and investing in it heavily would be a good way for Intel to gain an entry to making mobile devices and hence mobile processors/SoCs.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
Call me an optimist -- or just strange -- but I still believe that webOS has a life inside of HP. I think it could make one helluva basis for an embedded system. With that said, I believe that the company who could get the most out of it is Microsoft. I'm not intimating that they should drop Windows Phone, but I think that that operating system would benefit greatly from the underlying tech of webOS. Or, perhaps this - back to embedded systems - imagine what Ford's Sync system would look like with a webOS front end, albeit simplified. Can you see the possibilities?!
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
To be honest, would consolidation of one mobile OS be truthfully that bad for a marketplace where it doesn't really exist? WebOS is essentially dead and hasn't grasped consumers much, if at all. If Microsoft, Google, or Apple bought them out and took some of the WebOS ideas into their respective OSes, we'd likely be better off at this point, vs. fragmenting the user base that much more with continuing this OS.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
The problem with WebOS at this stage is the lack of apps. HP dropping it will only make matters worse. How many developers will create apps on such a platform that has practically died under Palm management and now HP?
The only option I can see going forward is for WebOS to become a UI front end for Android or allow it to run Android apps at the very least (like the Blackberry Playbook). As a bonus, it would be great if it could run existing WebOS apps as well.
I think Google would be good particularly if they can create a Tablet OS that combines the best of both WebOS and Android. I tried out a HP Touchpad at Best Buy shortly after it launched and it seemed fairly intuitive for the mainstream consumer something that can't be said of Honeycomb.
If not Google, then Amazon would be a good choice if they could do something similar by using the WebOS UI but be able to run Android apps (from their Android app store).
The only option I can see going forward is for WebOS to become a UI front end for Android or allow it to run Android apps at the very least (like the Blackberry Playbook). As a bonus, it would be great if it could run existing WebOS apps as well.
I think Google would be good particularly if they can create a Tablet OS that combines the best of both WebOS and Android. I tried out a HP Touchpad at Best Buy shortly after it launched and it seemed fairly intuitive for the mainstream consumer something that can't be said of Honeycomb.
If not Google, then Amazon would be a good choice if they could do something similar by using the WebOS UI but be able to run Android apps (from their Android app store).
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
The market hasn't "spoken" about anything; they've never been shown a good reason to buy a webOS device. Both Palm and HP have made it clear that they don't really know how to get people interested. I still think that webOS could be a huge hit, but only if it's managed well. I'm not convinced that anyone except Apple and possibly HTC knows how to make this work, though.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
If Nokia hadn't already been infiltrated by M$, perhaps they could have purchased WebOS from HP to kick-start MeeGo. The technologies of MeeGo & WebOS combined may have been a formidable contender to iOS & Android. Does anyone give a care about Windows Phone 7 at this point?
I don't understand why Samsung/HTC/LG and the like would buy it when they're probably happier installing Android.
Maybe RIM should buy it to keep their platform competitive. They're a business-oriented company similar to HP.
I don't understand why Samsung/HTC/LG and the like would buy it when they're probably happier installing Android.
Maybe RIM should buy it to keep their platform competitive. They're a business-oriented company similar to HP.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
Alibaba might ... I don't think some of us might like that.
Nevertheless since Alibaba is making a mobile OS, they might fly in on a magic carpet.
Nevertheless since Alibaba is making a mobile OS, they might fly in on a magic carpet.
mark as good answer
1 person likes this answer
Access seems to like dead OSes. :)
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Google, for the patents
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
RIM should buy the WebOS software
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
HTC please.
Would be so sad that HP killed webOS just because a patent sale would make them more then webOS ever could.
I feel like a big nerd because I'm actually kinda sad about all this news. Feels like Firefly all over again.
Would be so sad that HP killed webOS just because a patent sale would make them more then webOS ever could.
I feel like a big nerd because I'm actually kinda sad about all this news. Feels like Firefly all over again.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
HTC and Samsung are going to be very worried about Google/Moto. Either of them might be keen. I can't see Facebook getting involved as the are not making hardware (yet)
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
I agree with Varun. Android should buy it, then give it back to Matias so he can incorporate it into future releases.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Apple - they could then use the superior palm syncing software.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Oracle should buy it, give it an awesome integration with Java, hack together a Dalvik compiler to run Android apps and take their battle against Android to a new level. ^_^
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
They're not going to sell WebOS. HP is still using it in future products (probably printers). No one currently in the phone market is going to be able to buy WebOS from HP. The most exciting thing it's going to be able to do in the future is "print wirelessly".
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
How many of the key brains behind WebOS are still at HP? Who wants to buy a dead code base in an ultra competitive space?
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
If they wanted to retain the value of webOS, they should have locked a licensee before messaging the demise of the platform by cancelling its own devices. ("Yech! This tastes horrible... you wanna try it?")
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
It could be one of Android's forsaken partners (most likely HTC or Samsung)
Or one of the big players (Apple, Google, even Microsoft).
If it's one of the big guys - they would probably milk it for all of its patents, combine some of its more interesting ideas in their own OS - and kill off the platform.
Or one of the big players (Apple, Google, even Microsoft).
If it's one of the big guys - they would probably milk it for all of its patents, combine some of its more interesting ideas in their own OS - and kill off the platform.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
fusion garage is going to buy it and morph it with grid os. They'll start licensing it to other manufacturers.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Mozilla, they just announced that they wanted to enter the os market. There you go, can't be expensive anymore.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
At bargain-basement prices, anything is possible. But without a functional ecosystem, it would take MS-XBox levels of cash to push into an established market. There's likely quite a bit of value in Palm's IP, but who knows if HP is even interested in parting with it.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Huawei (though they are in bed with Android now) or perhaps a different manufacturer in China, Taiwan, or Vietnam that wants to break free from KIRF (or slightly-above KIRF) status.
I think it might be interesting if LG picked it up, but they (like Huawei & Samsung) are probably more interested in churning out vast numbers of devices rather than innovating in the OS space.
I think it might be interesting if LG picked it up, but they (like Huawei & Samsung) are probably more interested in churning out vast numbers of devices rather than innovating in the OS space.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
I agree with most here and would love to see HTC acquire, or at the very least, license WebOS. HTC was one of the companies interested in buying Palm in the first place so interest was there at some point. However, like Peter says, given the market response to WebOS devices, it would difficult to justify the purchase at a high price.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
The only company I can see using webOS to its full potential is RIM. However, they might not want it due to their obsession with QNX and virtualizing Android...
HTC really can't be spread out among 3 different platforms; it's already on Android and WP7 and making money; why would it take on all that extra risk of resuscitating the all-but-dead webOS?
HTC really can't be spread out among 3 different platforms; it's already on Android and WP7 and making money; why would it take on all that extra risk of resuscitating the all-but-dead webOS?
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
No one should buy, they should license.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
HTC. Hands down. I would honestly freak out if that happened.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
Microsoft should acquire WebOS from HP to replace the failed Microsoft Windows Phone OS with the new Microsoft WebOS for smartphones, tablets, netbooks and litetops (lite desktops). Integrate with Live.com services, MS Office Apps, SkyDrive, Bing and other goodies. Two years from now, it would be a three player market with Android, WebOS and iOS. It would also energize Windows with competition internally with a Microsoft WebOS that could work on netbooks and litetops. But of course, this would require that Microsoft admit failure with Windows Phone OS and that will never happen. Long live Microsoft WebOS.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
I think HP just killed developer interest. This kind of thing can not live without developers. If the price is right, some one may buy it for parts and scrap the rest.
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
HP :). I think they should port it to Intel and go head to head with Google's Chrome OS. But that would require them continuing to sell hardware too ("WebBooks"?).
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
lots of interesting comments,,,,how about a huge amalgamation of open source developers joining forces with hardware juggernauts. Hardware from HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei and software HP WebOS, HTC's skinning, linux/unix distros, gnome, kde, enlightenment, etc, Meego/Moblin/Bada....all using Mozilla Firefox browser for mobile devices - cell phones, tablets and even laptop/net top...even have apple tv/Plex/Tivo/Roku devices for smart tv/streaming tv & music subscription services (Amazon, etc) with a worldwide strategy, app store from Amazon and Add Ons for Firefox with the ability to record free to air with remote access via app or browser....therefore making one OS ecosystem that has capitalised alot of efforts by the open sourced community and unifying the fragmented market of operating systems...who wants 50 million choices, make it 4 - Apple, Google, Microsoft & Open Source United
mark as good answer
0 people like this answer
follow this question
share:
Related questions
51 users following this question:
This question has been viewed 741 times.
Last activity .
Tips for giving the best answers
Sometimes it's just little details that separates a great and not so great answer! Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind:
- 1
- Be complete and thorough. Don't skimp on the details!
- 2
- Try not to answer with a question. Because that's not really an answer, right?
- 3
- A little research goes a long way. Back up your claims and assumptions!
- 4
- Try to be patient, tech questions can be complicated.
- 5
- You are awesome for both reading this and answering questions.