What does the future hold for webOS?

Supposedly, HP's story is now that they will continue using webOS but obviously not in smartphones or tablet devices.  Instead, they will continue to grow the webOS software catalog and use it within printers and PC's.  Ok, I can understand printers...But PC's?

webOS is obviously a little more tied into the web than other offerings.  So would a webOS based PC function more like a cloud based computer like Google's Chromebook?  Or would it basically be like the TouchPad but with a keyboard?

All I can say is "Wow...".  HP has been shaking things up internally a bit as of late.  I just hope they know what they are doing.  And poor webOS has been right in the middle of the crap storm all along.  First from Palm and now HP.  Where will it land?  I honestly think nobody knows.

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So you bought a $99 HP TouchPad...What Now?

Ok, so you were one of the many people who decided to take the risk and pickup one of the HP TouchPad's that were sold off this past weekend for a rather cheap $99.  What now?  Especially since it no longer has HP's support.  You'll not get any future software updates.  Not to mention app development is pretty much gone too.  And since there currently isn't a working port of Android to use on it, what exactly can you do with it?

Well, here is a short list of things you could do with it:

1- Mobile Web Surfing
You could use the device solely for surfing the web or checking your email.  Not to mention making your social network updates.  All of this can still be done via the tablet minus manufacturer support.  At least until web standards change, flash gets updates, etc.  You'll have a very competent internet tablet.

2- eReader
At $99 the HP TouchPad could be one of the cheapest eReader devices on the market at present.  You could use it to catch up on your reading with little trouble.

3- A Media Player
You can still run media files on it.  So why not slap a digital copy of your favorite movie on it and take with you when you travel (legally of course).

4- A Digital Picture Frame
Remember a couple of Christmas' ago when all the rage seemed to be digital picture frames?  A lot of those little devices are still rather pricey, so why not slap a bunch of your favorite pictures on it and display it on your desk.  And when you want to show off your vacation pictures just snatch it up and take it with you.

5- A Coffee Table Computer
For $99 you can leave it on your coffee table, much like people do with magazines.  If you have a guest over and they need to catch up on their news, or check email, or even schedule their DVR via the internet; just hand them the tablet and let them go.

6- A cheap device for the kids
Let's face it if you have kids around the house, electronics like this can take a lot of abuse (depending on their ages).  So why not give them something to let them play with as opposed to your devices.  They'll love you for it later, I promise.

7- Internet access while traveling
Why not use this solely as your means of being connected while abroad.  Ever need to pull up a confirmation email for your hotel booking?  This would be perfect for that.  And you can leave you laptop, or more expensive tablet at home.

8- Assuming someone gets a decent version of Android running...
You could turn it into a cheap Android tablet.  So far nothing has been released, but supposedly a project is in the works.  Time will tell.

Let's just face it, regardless of the TouchPad's recent boot; if you purchased one, you have a very competent tablet device and you picked it up a lot cheaper than the rest of us did with our tablets.  If you were an early adopter and picked one up when it hit the market, I'm sorry I feel your pain.  You could always offload it on eBay to someone hoping to resell it if an Android ROM hits the web.  But you'd be taking a loss on it.

So, it was an unfortunate death.  But maybe the world can make the best out of the now defunct TouchPad.

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Tablets, iPads, and other Manufacturers...Oh My!

Looks like the old motto: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em", isn't one that Dell & HP exec's are even considering.  Instead, they decided to go the "All-American" route and start smack talking.  That's right.  We all know that Apple has been pretty much dominating the tablet corner of the technology market ever since the iPad was released.  Myself, not such a huge fan of how Apple keeps their gadgets locked down.  I like having the freedom to do what I want with my tech.  With that said, is iOS bad?  Nope, it's a pretty good system for a mobile device (all Apple based restrictions aside).  And it is very simple for people to use; people who may very well shun other forms of technology.

So, with the recent release of the iPad 2 by Apple; we are starting to see the feathers on their competition start to rise a little.  No doubt other manufacturers are starting to take notice that they are quickly losing ground in the tablet industry.  Recently, HP's Senoir VP of America's Solution Partners spoke out for his distaste in how Apple handles their business relationships with their partners.  Going on the record to say "Apple's relationship with partners is transaction, completely" and carrying on to say "Unlike Apple, HP is a very friendly channel" in an interview with CRN.  The point of his interview eventually leads up to his concern for their new line of tablets that will be touting the webOS.  Personally, I feel he should be very concerned about the upcoming system.  Reason being, if you follow technology you may have heard of webOS.  The system was developed by Palm (the makers of the once famous PDA brand); and was used in their debut phone: Palm Pre.

The Pre was a good phone, and the software got great reviews.  Much like Android it is running on a Linux kernal.  However, it seemed that the Pre couldn't stand it's ground against the iPhone.  Eventually Palm was facing a dire future, and HP acquired the company.  Now they are using the webOS for their mobile devices. And how many advertisements do you see on the web or tv for webOS?  Not many, if any.  I know their tablet line hasn't released yet.  But the PR departments are going to have to start feeding the public some pictures and footage of how this works within their products and start building fanfare.  Without that, I'm affraid a lot of people will set webOS on the backburner.  That would be bad.

Why?  Easy, another company competing in the tablet market will create even more competition.  Competition is good for us (the consumer) because it helps drive down costs as we raise demand.  Maybe then we can actually get a decent Android tablet under the $500 mark without having to buy an e-reader and mod it.

Enough on HP's stance, what is Dell saying?  In a recent interview with CIO Australia, Andy Lark (Global Head of Marketing for Dell) believes Apple will fall and Android will reign (not a direct quote) in the mobile market.  There is even room for Windows there too.  I have to hand it to Dell.  They have been supporting multiple operating systems for some time.  At one point, they allowed purchase of new systems with choice of Linux or Windows.  And it appears that they will continue that mentality with their newest tablets (which are slated to come out later this year).  Mr. Lark went on to say that their strategy is "multi-OS"; meaning they will offer Windows 7 or Android's latest rollout of Honeycomb on their tablets.  That is also a good thing.  People like choice and options.

Right now, it seems most mobile device users are either fans of Apple or Android devices.  Is there room for another player (HP/webOS) in this market?  Will Apple's iPad eventually get larger than itself and drop from it's high place?  Will their be an Android uprising in the future?  My answer, who knows.  But one thing is for sure, the future for computing is exciting and it's a great time to be a gadget lover.

My only hope is that we can eventually get our hands on a tablet without shelling out $500 or $600 dollars for the low end model.  My opinion, that should be the target price for the high-end models of these devices.  And somewhere are current Netbook costs should be where we see the devices price points sitting.  It's coming, but all in good time.  Until then, Happy surfing!


Source Article: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/30/dell_hp_execs_lash_out_at_apples_ios_successes.html

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