Palm Pre 2 (CDMA)
HP Updates webOS
HP today released webOS 2.2.4 for Pre phones. The update improves contacts, calendar and messaging, while improving Skype support and adding the MAP Bluetooth profile.
HP Confirms Talks to License webOS
HP CEO Leo Apotheker has confirmed that the company is speaking to other hardware makers about licensing its webOS mobile platform. "We are talking to a number of companies," Apotheker said. "I can share with you that a number of companies have expressed interest. We are continuing our conversations." Apotheker didn't name any companies, but Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reports that Samsung is one of the interested parties. HP's management had hinted recently that they'd consider licensing webOS to other hardware makers. By licensing the platform, it would allow phone makers such as Samsung to build webOS-based smartphones. Apotheker said that the company isn't rushing into any deals, though. "There is no time pressure to do this."
HP Would Consider Licensing webOS
Speaking today at the AllThingsD conference, HP CEO Leo Apetheker said that the company is open to licensing webOS, which it acquired when it purchased Palm in July 2010. Apotheker said, "WebOS will also be adopted by many partners who provide services to small and medium businesses. Traditionally HP has a strong channel into medium companies. … I happen to believe that WebOS is a uniquely outstanding operating system. It's not correct to believe that it should only be on HP devices. There are all kinds of other people who want to make whatever kind of hardware they make and would like to connect them to the Internet. We'll make it available to enterprises and to SMBs. It will run on lots of HP devices." Apotheker also noted that the company believes webOS can become the number three smartphone platform, behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS. The company plans to install webOS on its PCs, laptops, and other devices. Apotheker hinted that HP is also prepared to unleash new smartphones with webOS on board. Its most recent phone, the Veer 4G, is available from AT&T.
