HP has officially closed down the Palm webOS retail stores in the US. This move comes just a few weeks after HP announced that they would stop selling webOS-based devices and dropped the price of the HP TouchPad down to $100, which led the device to sell out quickly.
HP bought Palm for $1.2 billion last year, and after poor sales of the new HP webOS devices, HP decided to put an end to producing webOS devices. But did the company really give webOS a chance? Considering HP announced when they purchased Palm that they would invest heavily in webOS, it doesn’t look like HP did what it said it would.
HP’s latest webOS devices were sold off at bargain prices on the last day of their retail stores, with the Veer selling for $50, the Pixi selling for $25, or if you bought 4, you could get the Pixi for $15. A sad day for Palm and webOS fans.
The Rise and Fall of webOS
When HP acquired Palm, there was a lot of optimism surrounding the future of webOS. The operating system was praised for its intuitive user interface and multitasking capabilities. Many tech enthusiasts believed that with HP’s resources, webOS could become a serious competitor to iOS and Android. However, the reality turned out to be quite different.
HP’s initial efforts included launching the HP Veer, a compact smartphone, and the HP TouchPad, a tablet designed to compete with the iPad. Despite the promising technology, these devices failed to gain significant market traction. The reasons for this failure are multifaceted. For one, the app ecosystem for webOS was limited compared to the vast libraries available for iOS and Android. Additionally, HP’s marketing efforts were lackluster, failing to generate the necessary buzz to attract consumers.
What Went Wrong?
Several factors contributed to the downfall of webOS. Firstly, the timing of the product launches was unfortunate. By the time the HP TouchPad hit the market, Apple and Android devices had already established a strong foothold. Consumers were reluctant to switch to a new platform with fewer apps and less brand recognition.
Secondly, HP’s internal strategy seemed inconsistent. After initially promising to invest heavily in webOS, the company quickly shifted its focus to other ventures, including cloud computing and enterprise services. This lack of commitment was evident in the minimal updates and support provided for webOS devices.
Moreover, the pricing strategy was another critical misstep. The initial high prices of webOS devices made them less attractive compared to more established alternatives. It was only after the drastic price cuts that the HP TouchPad saw a surge in sales, but by then, it was too late to save the platform.
The closure of the retail stores marks the end of an era for webOS. For many fans, it is a poignant reminder of what could have been. The technology behind webOS was innovative, and with better execution, it might have carved out a niche in the competitive mobile market.
Despite its commercial failure, webOS has left a lasting legacy. Elements of its design and functionality have influenced other operating systems. For instance, the card-based multitasking system introduced by webOS has been adopted in various forms by both iOS and Android.
Source, Engadget
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