webOS on every PC starting next year, says HP CEO

By on Mar 9, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Software March 9, 2011

According to Hewlett-Packard CEO Leo Apotheker, HP personal computers will begin pulling double in the very near future. “Starting next year, every one of the PCs shipped by HP will include the ability to run WebOS in addition to Microsoft Corp.’s Windows,” said Apotheker. HP’s chief is trying to incentivize developers to create software for his company’s acquired platform, which he sees running on HP phones, computers, and printers. Currently, software comprises 2.2% of the company’s sales portfolio — 70% is generated by hardware and 27% from services. Apotheker, a former SAP employee, quips, “I happen to know something about software,” and goes on to note that he is looking to create “a massive platform.” Since taking over as CEO, Apotheker has increased the research and development budget of the company — now at close to $3 billion annually — and has been on a whirlwind tour of HP’s global offices. It’s a bold vision, and we’re pretty excited to see how it pans out.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , ,
38 Comments

Related Articles

  • Anonymous

    We have HPs at work. I’d never buy one.

  • serpentor

    I like this Apotheker guy.

  • AppleFUD

    If there goal is to get users to move to a different platform then you need to get them to “move to the new platform” not keep them tied to the old platform with a dual OS. That just gives MS more time to muck around and come up with a unified OS strategy for phone to desktop. . . but then again do we need another “Apple type ecosystem?”

    • sirpaul

      I replied the same thing to Jsantana0793:

      I don’t think it will be designed to replace Windows. I believe it will just be a quick-boot option, possibly from flash memory, to be used for low-power functions such as browsing the web or editing Office files.Basically, I believe it will be designed to do what the iPad currently does, so you won’t have to lug around 2 devices.

      • SteveB

        you can say that again!

    • Rich S

      “. . . but then again do we need another “Apple type ecosystem?” You mean one that actually just works? Probably not. ;)

  • http://twitter.com/allometry Steve

    I don’t think this is going to work HP.

    A two OS system on a consumer platform isn’t going to garner the market share I think you’re expecting to get. I know this, because a majority of people who would even consider HP would be confused by the idea. I know this, because I’ve applied my time-tested method: would my mother understand it?

    No.

    Also, as a dev, why would I be compelled to develop for WebOS? You’d be on desktop and mobile, but your market share is on par with Windows 7 Phone. Sorry, I think I’ll stick to Android and iOS… For everything else, I’ll just use the web.

    • http://twitter.com/danyay Dan

      Why not? Dell has a two-OS system on a consumer platform.

      It’s called Latitude ON.

    • i told u so.com

      thats weird then why does HP make sooooo much more money in computer sales then anyone in the world homie. Your statements are baised period, and my company only using Dual Boot HP laptop and desktops running windows 7, and unbunto (linux, like Webos and not like Android). This WILL increase market share greatly, and is a easy thing for any consumer to do. let me help you click restart, then choose either Windows 7, or Webos and click enter hmmm.

      • Anonymous

        It would certainly seem to point the way towards cheaper PCs if the donlt have to buy a Windows license.

        Trouble is who would NOT want a PC with Windows?

        No business that I know of.

    • Anonymous

      It’s not designed to work – it’s designed to slowly get HP off the hook for buying webOS for more than a billion dollars.

    • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

      You don’t have to create the app for the mobile or Desktop. With Enyo it will work on either one. It’s just another outlet for you app.

  • Jsantana0793

    I have an HP and its worked very, very well for me. I would take HP over Dell anytime, thats because Dell use cheap parts and they have the worse customer service.. Yet, I’m an advanced user. When most people have problems with any computer, I’m to think that most of the time it’s user induced and lack of knowledge with sovlving the simple issues that effect computer performance. Well, back to the whole OSWeb. I think that any company at this time trying to cash in on trying to replace a well known OS like Microsoft Windows is going to have a hard time trying. Thats the same for Google OS. Microsoft Windows is cemented.

    • Anonymous

      I “2nd” your entire comment. I’ve had many HP products over the years and whenever I read negative reviews about an HP product, past or current, it’s usually by people who can’t even distinguish a PS2 input from a speaker input. Case in point, bought an HP 6500 All-In-One Wireless for an unbelievable clearance price of $49.99 at Staples this past December to replace my Photosmart 7960 that finally died after 7 years. Prior to buying I researched reviews online, many of which were from disgruntled idiots who couldn’t get the device to set-up correctly. I, however, encountered ZERO problems setting up the AIO and love it!!!

      I’m not a fan of WebOS but, as long as there’s no conflict wiith the dual boot config’; and, as long as HP offers full system and driver support, this may work for them. As for me, I would build my own custom system anyway, so it really wouldn’t matter.

    • sirpaul

      I don’t think it will be designed to replace Windows. I believe it will just be a quick-boot option, possibly from flash memory, to be used for low-power functions such as browsing the web or editing Office files.Basically, I believe it will be designed to do what the iPad currently does, so you won’t have to lug around 2 devices.

      • AndrewC

        You see, as someone who already owns a great HP laptop that I use as my main PC and an HP Netbook that I use on the road, I would very seriously be interested in installing a system like this on my netbook for sure for that exact reason. Fast startup for quick easy online tasks while working away from home or the office? Sign me up! Only trouble will be getting them to release the software to people who already have HP products…

  • http://schultzter.ca Schultzter

    Assuming that Web OS is going to be the “instant-on browser appliance” this could be pretty cool. Why boot up Windows and deal with all that crap when you just quickly want to check where a movie is playing or what tomorrow’s weather is going to be? I realise that I can do that on my mobile phone as well but if the computer is handier and has an instant-on browser I would use that.

  • Anonymous

    Apotheker, a former SAP employee, quips, “I happen to know something about software,”

    That’s nice…do you know anything about hardware, and selling products? Who the f&ck cares about what you think you know. Produce, and people will believe. Otherwise, shut up.

    • Anonymous

      SAP has so little to do with consumer sector software that his quote is laughable.

      • Anonymous

        Too bad. I thought HP had some potential. They used to be pretty good…but this? I dunno. I hope it works..would love to see something on a business system, or similar with WebOS or variation of it. I don’t this guy is the answer though.

  • Anonymous

    I think its a good move. I have always like webOS.

  • http://twitter.com/brianMedeiros Brian M

    i like it. think about if all laptops came with two OS? a main one like Windows and a light one like webOS or chrome. how many times have you just shut off your computer, only to realize there was one more thing you wanted to look up online before leaving the house? instead of waiting for windows to boot up, you can boot up a smaller OS faster for a quick look. isn’t fast boot up times for simple task one of the benefits of having a tablet? now its all in one device.

    • jake

      get an ssd macbook. problem solved

  • jake

    terrible.

  • Anonymous

    With a name like Apotheker – which means pharmacist in German – methinks the man has been sampling his own wares. Now, inhale deeply…

  • Anonymous

    nobody cares

  • Bayport

    Most large corps will just leave windoze on the machines and remove the WebOS software. Productivity with mainstream apps is what moves bottom lines not playing around with a new toy. HP should know that.

  • Bullyboyb

    I have always like hp products. Tbh I have only ever bought hp laptops and computers. All my family use hp cause I recommend them, same as my work collegues and my friends with a few going for the cheaper branded ones. However I would never buy a web os computer. The software was developed for handheld devices. Imagine IOS on a laptop. Crazy stuff.

    • http://twitter.com/tsaunders tsaunders

      Enyo will solve that issue. It is built to scale with the screen size so developers don’t have to recode apps for each platform.

    • Anonymous

      I know..imagine if they left off the keyboard and tried to sell just the screen?

  • KCRic

    Waaay too many OS’ out there now. On a phone it’s one thing but actual computers too? I get everyone wanting a piece of the pie but developers can only do so much. They eventually have to ignore something and Windoze, Mac, and Linux won’t be one of them. This will be DOA.

  • Anonymous

    I like HP’s vision, and I believe that their product will be impressive, however I do not think that they will find success with this. While there may be room for more OS’s on paper, people like having a somewhat standardized system, where most PC’s run Windows and if they don’t want to learn how to navigate iOS or Linux, they don’t have to. This will certainly complicate things for the average PC user, and consumers will most likely not be happy about that.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1001483324 Gerry Quaglia

    Seeing as it will still ship with Windows, I can’t see a downside.

  • Anonymous

    I don’t know how to really feel about it, but thats a very bold move.

  • http://twitter.com/BrSwa Brandon

    Leo, seriously? I know you’re the salesman CEO touting how awesome your OS is and I for one am with you. But let’s get actual mobile devices to market instead of trying to upsell us on the smallest market share OS out there.

  • br14

    As stated elsewhere sounds like an excuse for buying the wrong OS.

    And would an ex SAP employee know that much about software that consumers want?

    I’ve been a steady buyer of HP PC’s and if I wanted a different OS than Windoze I’d install it myself.

  • Rich

    Seriously…$3 billion every year to push a fourth or fifth OS? Consumers won’t even embrace Linux. Apotheker may be following in Carly Fiorina’s high heels…right out the door!

  • Mavricxx

    This is an awesome idea! I think they’re ultimate goal is to retail WebOS and compete with Microsoft. This is gonna be great for the consumer because its gonna create competition.

blog comments powered by Disqus