HP commits to release open source WebOS by September

App-building tool out todayOperating systems News By Chris Smith 14 hours ago | Tell us what you think [ 2 comments ]

Tweet The HP TouchPad failed but other manufacturers will get the chance to redeem WebOS

HP's WebOS will begin life as an open source operating system in September 2012 after the company committed to a release time frame.

The operating system, developed and formerly owned by Palm, was given a stay of execution last month when HP decided to offer the software up to the open source community rather than ditch the division.

The source code will be released in September, but for now developers can get cracking on building apps with today's launch of the Enyo 2.0 tool.

Enyo 2.0 enables developers to create apps for WebOS, which will also work for Android, iOS and web browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome.

Decisive step forward

"HP is bringing the innovation of the webOS platform to the open source community," said Bill Veghte, HP's executive vice president and chief strategy officer.

"This is a decisive step toward meeting our goal of accelerating the platform's development and ensuring that its benefits will be delivered to the entire ecosystem of web applications."

In today's announcement HP has laid out the timescale for the next nine months which will result in the launch of a full WebOS course code in September.

The company originally bought WebOS from Palm in April 2010 for $1.2 billion but its grand plans to enter the smartphone and tablet business ended in failure when the Pre 3 and TouchPad floundered badly.

Via: Engadget

Tags: WebOS, HP, TouchPad, operating systemsTweetreddit!Stumbleupon  Your comments (2) Click to add a new commentbradavon

11 hours ago

2. Yes. Just like Linux. Expect unofficial ports to appear on Android tablets.

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weedymuff

14 hours ago

1. I don't really get it, does this mean people can get the os for free and other tech people can improve it and release their own versions?

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HP gifts WebOS to open source

Hewlett Packard has announced that it will contribute the WebOS operating system to the open source community rather than kill off the software.

The long-awaited announcement on the future of WebOS comes as somewhat of a surprise, with many observers expecting HP to would simply shut down or attempt to sell it.

However, the company said is passing the responsibility to developers and hardware manufacturers to continue the legacy and improve the software with new versions and applications.

This means that, just like Android, any manufacturer that wishes to use WebOS can build gadgets using the software without paying for a license.

Unleashing the creativity

HP CEO Meg Whitman said: "WebOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected and scalable.

"By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices."

In a statement released to the media, HP says it will continue to be an active partner in the development of the WebOS platform.

The company also says it will provide "good, transparent and inclusive governance to avoid fragmentation," which means that, unlike Android, it doesn't want lots of versions floating around on multiple devices.

Stay of execution

The announcement represents yet another stay of execution for the Palm-built operating system, which HP acquired for a whopping $1.2 billion in April 2010.

This summer the company announced that it would be ceasing all WebOS operations following the abject failure of the HP TouchPad and HP Pre 3 smartphone to gain traction in the marketplace.

HP currently employs 600 people in its WebOS division and their fate remains to be seen. For now though, WebOS lives to fight another day.

Related Stories

• HP to use WebOS in new tablets

HP to use WebOS in new tablets

HP CEO Meg Whitman has revealed the company plans to build new WebOS tablets, following the decision to take the software open source.

After Friday's surprise announcement, Whitman told The Verge that once the new structure becomes clear, HP could launch a follow-up to the ill-fated TouchPad tablet.

When asked whether HP will continue building WebOS hardware, she said: "The answer to that is yes but what I can't tell you is whether that will be in 2012 or not."

"But we will use webOS in new hardware, but it's just going to take us a little longer to reorganize the team in a quite different direction than we've been taking it in the past."

No more smartphones

When asked to elaborate on the kinds of gadgets HP will look to build, Whitman said the company was likely to be done with smartphones, but tablets are definitely on the table.

"In the near term what I would imagine - and this could change, in full disclosure - is I would think tablets, I do not believe we will be in the smartphone business again."

HP's decision to not only keep WebOS, but continue building gadgets around it represents a stunning show of faith considering the disastrous TouchPad launch earlier in this year.

Whitman admitted that the company had spent much of the second half of 2011 considering whether to sell the portfolio, but said keeping and renewing WebOS was best for the industry.

She added: "We looked at a whole bunch of opportunities, right after the mid-August announcement and the team here said 'what were the alternatives?' Wind down? Sell the portfolio? Run it like we did before, but better?

"As we looked at all the alternatives, this seemed to be the one that made the most sense for the industry, for the community, for the developer community."

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• HP gifts WebOS to open source

WebOS fate to be decided in two weeks, says HP

HP CEO Meg Whitman says the company will announce whether it plans to ditch the troubled WebOS software in two weeks time.

The new boss, who took over from Leo Apotheker in September, told French newspaper Le Figaro that the company is taking time to consider all options, with 600 jobs in the division on the line.

HP has been strongly tipped to put WebOS up for sale since it discontinued the HP TouchPad tablet and the similarly poorly received new breed of Pre handsets.

She said: "We should announce our decision in the next two weeks. This is not an easy decision, because we have a team of 600 people which is in limbo. We need to have another operating system."

Indecision

The world's largest PC manufacturer has endured a roller-coaster 2011, marred by its over-committal on the WebOS purchased from Palm and indecision at the top of the company.

After deciding to discontinue WebOS operations, the company also considered selling-off its Personal Systems (PC) business before vowing to stay the course.

Whitman added: "To separate PC would have cost nearly $1 billion. Then, the impact on our revenues would have been too high.

"For businesses that purchase our servers, our networks and storage facilities also buy PC. Finally, the HP brand is indisputably linked to our PC."

Despite the HP TouchPad's abject failure, it still provided one of the biggest tech stories of 2011 when a fire sale saw an insane demand for the tablet.