HP Dubs Reports of WebOS Shutdown 'Unfounded Rumors'
Is webOS here to stay?
Ever since HP killed off the TouchPad and Pre line of smartphones, the company has been facing rumors that WebOS is on the chopping block. too. The latest reports say the company will decide the fate of webOS in November, however, the company has been rumored to be mulling a decision on webOS for the last few weeks.
This past weekend, HP attempted to put any rumors regarding a webOS shutdown to bed. Executive Vice President Todd Bradley spoke to Bloomberg on Saturday about the company's plans for its personal systems group. HP just last week decided that it would not be spinning off or selling its PSG unit following weeks of speculation as to what the company would do with that part of its business. During the interview, Emily Chang asked Bradley about webOS.
"I think tablets, and specifically WebOS, have very unique capabilities," Bradley responded. "You know, what we did was stop making WebOS tablets. We're continuing to invest in WebOS software -- in fact last week we refreshed with an update of that software for the over one million users that have WebOS products today. So our next focus now that we've resolved the question surrounding the PC business is to determine how we'll best utilize WebOS and the great software assets that we have."
When asked directly what we should make of reports that HP is considering shutting webOS down completely, Bradley said there was no truth to the reports:
"I think you should make of [the report of a WebOS shutdown] as an unfounded rumor. Our focus with WebOS is how we effectively utilize that phenomenal software and that phenomenal talent we have in that piece of our business."
HP CEO Meg Whitman said last week that the company will make a decision on webOS within the next couple of months. Bradley says when it comes to the future of the operating system, he's determined to gather all the appropriate information and data to ensure the company makes the right decision.
Are you a fan of webOS? Would you like to see it on devices other than the likes of printers? Let us know in the comments below!

Lets hope some real big and serious company like Samsung or lenovo picks WebOS. The only mobile OS that really rivals iOS.
Why HP invested into it in the first place is a mystery, and it doesn't take a genius to see that HP made a mistake, and whitman being the politician she is, will down play and never admit that "Yeah, it was a screw up, but we can't admit it just yet lest we look like a bunch of idiots for buying it in the first place since our first play on it died on the vine so miserably.... well you get the point.. webOS is ACTUALLY GREAT!"
Its all posturing and hoping to dodge another stock down turn. webOS is dead as fried chicken.
I know it, you know it. and HP knows it, they just can't admit it yet.
I think it is a real shame because it is so easy to use and is really professionally useful.
Having a WP 7½ myself, I have to say that it isn't due to bad software, that windows phone is so unpolular. The os is excellent and feels fast. But the rubbish markedplace interface, the lack of localization and the high pricetag for an entry model phone with Windows are the main limitations. And in addition to that, developers are being stopped from making great apps for the system, because microsoft actively restricts them from making use of certain api's. So in this regard, developers are as handicapped as on ios. Only android is truely 'free for all', but also only android is riddled with malware.
The problem with saying that is usage, in order to be a rival you don't just have to be technically equal or better, you need to have a large user base to validate continued development in a commercial sector.
Some would say that Linux is technically superior to Windows, but as 1.6% of the world's PCs run it versus 85% for Windows, it is not a rival at all. Linux's problems may stem from not being owned by a tech-giant who spend billions in R&D, marketing and bribes to vendors.
Back to WebOS, it is now owned by a tech-giant who DO spend billions in R&D, marketing and bribes to vendors, but they are instead deciding if they should shelve the whole project or not?
In short, WebOS will never be a rival to ANY mobile OS until HP decides to back it as aggressively as Apple backs iOS, Google backs Android and Microsoft backs WP7.