HP Looking To Farm Out webOS

HP's CEO has revealed at a press conference that HP are working on the sale of its webOS system on license to other manufacturers.

Other devices look set to join the TouchPad tablet and Veer, Pixi and Pre (and soon the Pre³) smartphones on webOS, but not necessarily on HP devices. At the most recent All Things D, from the US site, All Things Digital, Leo Apotheker, HP CEO explained that HP now wishes to provide access to webOS under the form of a license to other manufacturers of connected mobile products. This was confirmed last week at Qualcomm's Upling, where Leo Apotheker was invited to speak. 

While HP seems to want to target the pro segment first and foremost with its webOS license, Leo Apotheker did not hide the fact that firms such as HTC, for example, could well also adopt its mobile OS in forthcoming smartphones or tablets. Talks between HP and numerous manufacturers would appear to be ongoing.

With respect to the TouchPad tablet however, things are still rather vague, with HP preferring to launch its product only when it's sure it can compete with the major tablet players and above all, the iPad. Summertime still looks to be its target.


> Touchscreen Tablet Reviews


> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products