HP decided to kill off the HP TouchPad recently, and sold the webOS tablet at a discounted price of $100, and now it would appear that HP may have other plans for the HP TouchPad tablet.
According to a recent report, HP are testing out Microsoft’s new Windows 8 OS, which is designed to work on both PCs and tablets on the HP TouchPad, and HP could be thinking about resurrecting the TouchPad as a Windows 8 device.
It still isn’t clear what plans HP has for webOS, the software that powered the HP TouchPad, which HP acquired when they purchased Palm.
HP’s Strategic Shift
The decision to discontinue the HP TouchPad came as a surprise to many, especially considering the significant investment HP made in acquiring Palm and its webOS platform. The TouchPad was initially launched to compete with other tablets like the Apple iPad and various Android devices. However, due to poor sales performance and stiff competition, HP decided to pull the plug on the device. The subsequent fire sale, where the TouchPad was sold for as low as $100, generated a lot of buzz and temporarily boosted the tablet’s popularity.
The potential resurrection of the HP TouchPad with Windows 8 could signify a strategic shift for HP. By adopting Windows 8, HP would be aligning itself with a more widely accepted and versatile operating system. Windows 8 was designed to offer a seamless experience across different types of devices, including desktops, laptops, and tablets. This could make the TouchPad more appealing to a broader audience, especially those already familiar with the Windows ecosystem.
The Future of webOS
While the focus seems to be shifting towards Windows 8, the future of webOS remains uncertain. webOS was once considered a promising platform due to its intuitive user interface and multitasking capabilities. However, it struggled to gain significant market share against the dominant iOS and Android platforms. HP’s acquisition of Palm and webOS was initially seen as a move to bolster its presence in the mobile and tablet markets. Despite its potential, webOS failed to achieve the commercial success HP had hoped for.
There have been discussions about the possibility of open-sourcing webOS or licensing it to other manufacturers. Open-sourcing could potentially breathe new life into the platform by allowing developers to contribute to its development and create new applications. Licensing webOS to other manufacturers could also expand its reach and provide an alternative to the existing mobile operating systems.
Another interesting aspect to consider is the community support for webOS. Even after HP discontinued the TouchPad, a dedicated community of developers and enthusiasts continued to support and develop for the platform. This community-driven effort has kept webOS alive to some extent, with custom ROMs and updates being released by independent developers.
In conclusion, while HP’s decision to test Windows 8 on the TouchPad indicates a potential new direction for the device, the fate of webOS remains in limbo. Whether HP decides to fully embrace Windows 8 or find a new purpose for webOS, it will be interesting to see how the company navigates this transition. The tech world will be watching closely to see if the HP TouchPad can make a successful comeback and what role webOS will play in HP’s future plans.
Source Slashgear,
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