HTC Considering Buying webOS

Cher Wang, chairwoman of the handset maker HTC has publicly announced HTC's interest in buying the webOS operating system HP following the latter company's decision to discontinue the manufacturing of webOS hardware. Wang believes that HTC's distinctiveness will allow to make unique products on different OSes. Keep in mind that HTC still hasn't had serious negotiations with HP yet.

“We have given it thought and we have discussed it internally, but we will not do it on impulse,” Wang said in an interview with the Economic Observer of China. “We can use any OS we want. We are able to make things different from our rivals on the second or third layer of a platform. Our strength lies in understanding an OS, but it does not mean that we have to produce an OS.”

$100 HP TouchPad at Best Buy

Now that HP has discontinued webOS, they have begun to liquify their remaining stock of TouchPad tablets. The base 16GB WiFi model is now just $99 and the 32GB model can be had for only $149, which, despite the abandonment, is quite a steal. Due to webOS’s web-OS-ness, it’s very possible that the platform will continue to live on with support from the hacking community.

If you want to grab one, stop by your local Best Buy (or try your luck online) in the AM. Stocks won’t last long, so good luck.

[Pre Central] via iFans

HP Ditches WebOS

HP has announced today that they will discontinue all development and production of webOS related smartphones and tablets. Featured on the Pre and TouchPad, webOS
is
was a pretty unique operating system that was favored by homebrew enthusiasts and those who wanted a fresh UX. The demand for Android and iOS devices is likely the cause of webOS’s death, since the Pre family of devices flew pretty far under the radar for most average users.

In addition, HP reported that it plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.

It’s sad to see webOS go, but there is a slim possibility that the operating system will live on in some incarnation if acquired by the competition.

Update: If various tweets by HP executives (most notably Richard Kerris, head of Developer Relations for webOS) are to be believed, only the physical products HP produces that run webOS will be eliminated. WebOS, as a platform, will live on, and it seems like the licensing idea is going to become a reality.



via iFans.com