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HP’s WebOS Now Open Source

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Hewlett Packard’s exit from the tablet market was quite a jolt even though a lot of people already predicted that it was inevitable. One of the fallouts of HP’s move was that the operating system that they bought from Palm for $1.2 billion, WebOS, was suddenly placed in limbo. HP finally addressed the issue when it announced that it has decided to release WebOS as an open source software.

HP’s decision to turn WebOS to the public was a bit of a shock. Most people were speculating that the company will just sell it to recoup some of its investment. Others thought that HP will just totally mothball the OS. HP’s decision leaves many to conclude that it still believes in WebOS and that it will benefit from open source development. [Read more…]

How HP’s TouchPad Can Avoid Tablet Purgatory

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With the exception of RIM’s Playbook, every iPad 2 challenger has been greeted by consumers with a lack of interest (at least as far as Android tablets go).

Instead of taking cue’s from RIM (who didn’t go out of their way to challenge Apple), HP has decided to boast about TouchPad’s superiority over rivals, claiming that their tablet will not only be able to challenge iPad 2, but also beat Apple at their own game.

Although early reviews of the TouchPad have thus far been positive, HP will have to do more than match iPad 2 on price if they plan on stealing the gold away from Apple. [Read more…]

Filed Under: HP

webOS Greets Developers With Promo Codes

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After many months of waiting, HP has finally given the green light on a feature that has long been available for iOS developers.

Developers now have the ability to generate promo codes, giving you new ways to market and distribute apps. You can use promo codes to easily offer free review copies to press, or exercise your creativity by doing giveaways for special campaigns. (HP webOS Developer Blog)

Developers can only send up to 1,000 promo codes per major version, although HP is allowing developers to create an unlimited amount of campaigns (as well as the ability to track and revoke codes at will).

Promo codes also have a fairly long shelf life, as HP is limiting them to 60 days before they expire (which should give users plenty of time to use them).

While promo codes will help generate buzz about the platform (as tech journalists can review premium apps without going broke), HP still needs to figure out a way to attract more developers to webOS if they want to survive the upcoming war between Android and iOS.

Filed Under: HP

iPad 2’s Real Nemesis Could Make Apple Sweat

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With Xoom failing and iPad 2 prevailing, many are wondering whether anyone can challenge Steve Jobs magical device (and no, RIM’s Playbook is dead on arrival).

Although we shouldn’t write off Android entirely (after all, GalaxyTab 8.9 could become a hit), Google’s tablet OS is still rather buggy and truth be told needs a bit more polish in order to outshine iPad 2.

However there seems to be one tablet that can potentially challenge iPad 2, as a recent video highlighting an upcoming version of webOS reveals below. [Read more…]

Filed Under: HP

Need A Free Smartphone? Just Ask HP

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No this isn’t some post April Fools joke that someone left up (which was my first suspicion). Apparently HP is giving away Palm Pre 2’s for free when “ordered” through their website.

Not to surprisingly, this deal is only available to Verizon customers who are willing to sign a new 2 year contract with the carrier. [Read more…]

Filed Under: HP