WebOS: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:30, 18 December 2005

Latest revision as of 01:15, 12 August 2025

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{{Short description|Linux kernel–based operating system developed by LG, previously Palm and HP}}

'''WebOS''' is a computing research project started at the [[University of California, Berkeley]] to develop suitable [[software development]] abstractions for applications that run over a network. The abstractions it provides include:

{{Lowercase title}}

*a [[filesystem]] that identifies data by [[uniform resource locator]]s

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}

*a ___location-independent resource naming system

{{Infobox OS

*secure remote execution

| name = webOS

*secure data access

| logo = LG WebOS New.svg

*fail-safe transactions

| logo size = 240px

| screenshot = LG webOS 2x Home Screen.png

| caption =

| developer = [[LG Electronics]],<br />previously [[Hewlett-Packard]] & [[Palm, Inc.|Palm]]

| family = [[Linux]] ([[Unix-like]])

| ui = [[Graphical user interface|Graphical]] (Luna)

| license = [[Apache License]], [[Proprietary software|proprietary]]

| website = {{URL|http://webosose.org|Open-source website}}<br />{{URL|http://webostv.developer.lge.com|Developer website}}

| programmed_in = [[C++]], [[Qt (software)|Qt]]<ref>{{cite web|title=QtWS15- Bringing LG webOS and Qt to millions of smartTVs | website=[[YouTube]] | date=October 12, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-DGijemc7M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/N-DGijemc7M |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] ([[Linux kernel]])

| supported_platforms = [[ARM architecture|ARM]]

| latest_release_version = {{Ubl|'''LG TV:''' 24|'''Open-source:''' 2.28.0|'''HP TouchPad:''' 3.0.5|'''Palm Pre:''' 2.2.4}}

| latest_release_date =

| marketing_target = [[Embedded devices]]

| prog_language = [[Qt (software)|Qt]], [[HTML5]], [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]

| working state = Current

| source_model = [[Open-source software|Open-source]], [[source-available]]

| preceded by = [[Palm OS]] (phones)<br />[[NetCast]] (smart TVs)

}}

'''webOS''', also known as '''LG webOS''', is a [[Linux kernel]]-based [[Computer multitasking|multitasking]] [[operating system]] for [[smart device]]s, such as [[smart TV]]s, that has also been used as a [[mobile operating system]]. Initially developed by [[Palm, Inc.]] (which was acquired by [[Hewlett-Packard]]), HP made the platform [[Open-source software|open source]], at which point it became ''Open webOS.''

Research on WebOS has continued at [[Duke University]], the [[University of Texas at Austin]], and the [[University of Washington]].

The [[operating system]] was later sold to [[LG Electronics]], and was made primarily a [[List of smart TV platforms and middleware software|smart TV operating system]] for [[LG televisions]] as a successor to [[NetCast]]. In January 2014, [[Qualcomm]] announced that it had acquired technology patents from HP, which included all the webOS and Palm patents; LG licenses them to use in their devices.

More generally, WebOS refers to a hypothetical future [[software platform]] that interacts with the user through a [[web browser]] and does not depend on any particular local [[operating system]]. Such predictions date to the mid-[[1990s]], when [[Marc Andreessen]] predicted that [[Microsoft Windows]] was destined to become "a poorly debugged set of [[device driver]]s running [[Netscape Navigator]]." More recently attention has focused on rumors that [[Google]] might produce a software platform.

Various versions of webOS have been featured on several devices since launching in 2009, including [[Palm Pre|Pre]], [[Palm Pixi|Pixi]], and [[HP Veer|Veer]] [[smartphones]], [[HP TouchPad|TouchPad]] [[tablet computer|tablet]], LG's smart TVs since 2014, LG's smart refrigerators and smart projectors since 2017.

[[Image:http://mr-1393.v-mirror.spb.ru/other/webos.jpg]]

==External linksHistory==

===2009–2010: Launch by Palm===

*[http://www.cs.duke.edu/ari/issg/webos/ WebOS at Duke University]

Palm launched webOS, then called '''Palm webOS''', in January 2009 as the successor to [[Palm OS]]. The first webOS device was the original [[Palm Pre]], released by [[Sprint Nextel|Sprint]] in June 2009. The Palm Pixi followed.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

* [http://www.kottke.org/05/08/googleos-webos GoogleOS? YahooOS? MozillaOS? WebOS?] by Jason Kottke

{{software-stub}}

===2010–2013: Acquisition by HP; the launch of Open webOS===

The WebOS meme gained popularity in 1999 when a much touted startup, WebOS Inc. (at first know as MyWebOS), was founded by Berkeley grad Shervin Pishevar and Emory grad Drew Morris. WebOS licensed the WebOS technologies from Duke Univerity and University of Texas (Austin) and recruited Dr. Amin Vahdat, Professor of Computer Science at Duke, who had pioneered the WebOS technologies at University of California at Berkeley where he got his PhD on his WebOS research. WebOS acquired WebOS.org, which was created by a young Swedish programmer, Fredrik Malmer, who had created the first online desktop environment. Soon after, some of the top DHTML and Javascript programmers in the world such as Erik Arvidsson of WebFx fame, Dan Steinman, creator of the Dynamic Duo Cross-browser DHTML API, joined WebOS. WebOS raised over $10 million in financing from Impact Venture Partners led by Adam Dell and Grotech Capital. WebOS was launched with a vision of created the first web operating system complete with a WebOS API allowing developers to create Windows-like web applications that worked a extremely fast speeds by caching much of the code in the local browser. Arvidsson later launched Bindows, a framework very similar to the WebOS API, that does much of this and is used by many large companies and the US Military. WeBOS filed the first very WebOS patents in 1999. WebOS competed with another start up, Desktop.com, which was aimed more at the consumer market. WebOS was covered by many media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, financial Times, LA Times, Powerlunch on CNBC, Fox News and CNN and helped spread the WebOS meme further. WebOS launched Hyperoffice, a full office suite, back in 1999.

In April 2010, HP acquired Palm. The acquisition of Palm was initiated while [[Mark Hurd]] was CEO, however he resigned shortly after the acquisition was completed. Later, webOS was described by new HP CEO [[Leo Apotheker]] as a key asset and motivation for the purchase. The $1.2 billion acquisition was finalized in June. HP indicated its intention to develop the webOS platform for use in multiple new products, including smartphones, tablets, and [[printer (computing)|printers]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bajarin |first=Ben |title=HP Is Committed to Its 'webOS' Platform (and It Should Be) |series=TechLand |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=Time Inc. |date=June 30, 2011 |url=https://techland.time.com/2011/06/30/hp-is-committed-to-its-webos-platform-and-it-should-be/#ixzz1QshLqoCZ |access-date= November 27, 2013 }}</ref>

[[File:Jon Rubinstein & Todd Bradley.jpg|thumb|HP executives demonstrating webOS devices in 2011]]

Recently, there the WebOS concept has begun to gain popularity again with talks of Google launching a GoogleOS.

In February 2011, HP announced that it would use webOS as the universal platform for all its devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/hp-snubs-windows-plans-to-integrate-webos-into-pcs|title=HP snubs Windows, plans to integrate webOS into PCs |publisher=Digital Trends|date=February 9, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> However, HP also made the decision<ref name="HPThanks">{{cite web|url=http://blog.palm.com/palm/2011/02/thanks-really-for-the-feedback.html|title=Thanks (really!) for the feedback|publisher=Hewlett Packard|access-date=February 14, 2011|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718120952/http://blog.palm.com/palm/2011/02/thanks-really-for-the-feedback.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> that the Palm Pre, Palm Pixi, and the "Plus" revisions would not receive [[FOTA (technology)|over-the-air updates]] to webOS 2.0,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=17498&news=hp+palm+webos+2.0+pre+pix |title=HP Breaks Promise: webOS 2.0 Upgrades for Palm Pre and Pixi Not Coming |work=Brighthand.com |access-date=February 13, 2011 }}</ref> despite a previous commitment to an upgrade "in coming months."<ref name= brighthand17244>{{cite news |last=Hardy |first=Ed |title=HP Commits to webOS 2.0 Upgrades for All Palm Smartphones |work=Brighthand.com |date=November 20, 2010 |url=http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=17244&news=HP+Palm+webOS+2.0+Pre+Pixi+Upgrade |access-date=November 27, 2013 }}</ref> HP announced several webOS devices, including the [[HP Veer]] and [[HP Pre 3]] smartphones, running webOS 2.2, and the [[HP TouchPad]], a tablet computer released in July 2011 that runs webOS 3.0.

In March 2011, HP announced plans for a version of webOS by the end of 2011 to run within [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=March 14, 2011 |title=HP TouchPad Coming June, webOS for PC Beta by Year's End |work=Engadget |publisher=AOL Inc. |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/03/14/hp-touchpad-coming-june-webos-for-pc-beta-by-years-end |access-date=November 27, 2013 }}</ref> and to be installed on all HP desktop and notebook computers in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Apotheker Seeks to Save HP's 'Lost Soul' With Software Growth|work=BusinessWeek|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]|date=March 9, 2011|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-09/apotheker-seeks-to-save-hp-s-lost-soul-with-software-growth.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311121717/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-09/apotheker-seeks-to-save-hp-s-lost-soul-with-software-growth.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2011|access-date=March 9, 2011}}</ref> Neither ever materialized, although work had begun on an x86 port around this time involving a team in [[Fort Collins, Colorado]]; work was scrapped later in the year.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Financial Times article on WebOS:

In August 2011, HP announced that it was interested in selling its Personal Systems Group, responsible for all of its consumer PC products, including webOS, and that webOS device development and production lines would be halted.<ref>{{cite web|title= Developing and Distributing with HP: Developer Program Details|work= palm.com|publisher= Hewlett-Packard Development Company|year=2010|url=http://developer.palm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1840&Itemid=34|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201180033/http://developer.palm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1840&Itemid=34|archive-date= December 1, 2010}}<!--Original|accessdate=March 10, 2011--></ref><ref>{{cite news |title= HP Confirms Discussions with Autonomy Corporation plc Regarding Possible Business Combination; Makes Other Announcements |work= Press release |date= August 18, 2011 |url= http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110818006301/en/HP-Confirms-Discussions-Autonomy-Corporation-plc-Business |access-date= August 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HP kills webOS, spins off PC business to focus on software|work=AppleInsider|date=August 11, 2011|url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/08/18/hp_to_spin_off_pc_business_to_focus_on_enterprise_software.html|access-date=August 18, 2011|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331192912/https://appleinsider.com/articles/11/08/18/hp_to_spin_off_pc_business_to_focus_on_enterprise_software.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It remained unclear whether HP would consider licensing webOS software to other manufacturers. When HP reduced the price of the Touchpad to $99, the existing inventory quickly sold out.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/238542/hp_touchpad_selling_out_during_fire_sale.html|title=$99 HP TouchPad Selling Out During Fire Sale|work=PCWorld|access-date=August 7, 2017 }}</ref>

The Financial Times

Wednesday September 15, 1999

The HP Pre 3 was launched in select areas of Europe, and US-based units were available only through unofficial channels (both AT&T and Verizon canceled their orders just prior to delivery after [[Léo Apotheker|Apotheker's]] (HP's CEO at the time) announcement.<ref name="allthings">{{cite news|last=Fried|first=Ina|title=HP: webOS Still Coming to PCs and Printers, Pre3 Launching in "Limited" Markets|work=AllThingsD|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|date=August 22, 2011|url=http://allthingsd.com/20110822/hp-webos-still-coming-to-pcs-and-printers-pre3-launching-in-limited-markets/ |access-date=August 24, 2011}}</ref> Notably, these US Pre 3 units, having been released through unofficial channels, lacked both warranties and carried no support obligation from HP; as a result parts are nearly impossible to come by. HP announced that it would continue to issue updates for the HP Veer and [[HP TouchPad]], but these updates have failed to materialize for the former, and the latter saw a final, unofficial release called "webOS CE" that contained only open-sourced components of webOS meant for what remained of the developer community rather than a conventional, user-centric update to the operating system. The last HP webOS version, 3.0.5, was released on January 12, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/12/2702658/hp-touchpad-updated-to-webos-3-0-5 |title=HP TouchPad updated to webOS 3.0.5 |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=January 12, 2012 |website=The Verge |access-date=August 7, 2017 }}</ref>

Whizzkid with a passion for changing the world

In December 2011, after abandoning the TouchPad and the proposed sale of the HP Personal Systems Group, HP announced it would release webOS [[source code]] in the near future under an [[open-source license]].<ref name= HpWebOsOpenSource>{{cite press release|title= HP to Contribute webOS to Open Source|url= http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/111209xa.html|work= HP.com |publisher= Hewlett-Packard | date= December 9, 2011|access-date= December 10, 2011}}</ref> In August 2012, code specific to the existing devices was released as ''webOS Community Edition'' (CE), with support for the existing HP hardware.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/08/hp-releases-more-open-webos-code-including-system-manager-and-core-apps/ | title= HP releases more Open webOS code, including System Manager and core apps | website= arstechnica.com | first= Ryan | last= Paul | date=August 3, 2012}}</ref> Open webOS includes open source libraries designed to target a wider range of hardware. HP renamed its webOS unit as "Gram".<ref name= DGram>{{cite news|last=Hesseldahl|first=Arik|title=Meet Gram, HP's New Name for the Company Formerly Known as Palm|work= [[All Things D]]|date=August 15, 2012|url=http://allthingsd.com/20120815/meet-gram-hps-new-name-for-the-company-formerly-known-as-palm|access-date= August 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last= Musil| first=Steven|title=HP spins off webOS business, rebranding it as 'Gram' |work= CNET |publisher=CBS Interactive|date= August 15, 2012|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57494236-94/hp-spins-off-webos-business-rebranding-it-as-gram|access-date=December 5, 2012}}</ref>

Young entrepreneur Shervin Pishevar is pursuing a dream to reshape the global software market - and his new web-based service might do just that, writes Louise Kehoe.

In February 2012, HP released Isis, a new web browser for Open webOS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webosnation.com/hp-releases-open-webos-new-browser-isis-javascript-core-and-enyo-ui-widgets |title=HP releases Open webOS' new browser Isis, JavaScript core, and Enyo UI widgets 34 |last=Kessler |first=Derek |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=April 20, 2015 }}</ref>

Shervin Pishevar may be Bill Gates' worst nightmare; an extraordinarily bright young man with radical ideas about software, a passion to change the world and a business plan.

====Growth and decline of HP App Catalog====

Mr Pishevar, 25, is the president and chief executive of WebOSInc (formerly HyperOffice), a software start-up with 10 employees, of whom he is the oldest. Unencumbered by the complexities of running a large company or pleasing shareholders, Mr Pishevar is pursuing a dream to "democratise" the software market and "open access to technologies previously reserved for the few who could afford it".

The '''HP App Catalog''' was an [[app store]] for apps for the mobile devices running webOS.

On June 6, 2009, webOS launched on the [[Palm Pre]] with 18 available apps. The number of apps grew to 30 by June 17, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medialets.com/blog/2009/06/18/palm-pre-prepared-for-the-spotlight|title=Palm Pre Prepared For The Spotlight?|last=Barletta|first=Bryan|date=June 18, 2009|publisher=Medialets, Inc.|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110224906/http://www.medialets.com/blog/2009/06/18/palm-pre-prepared-for-the-spotlight|url-status=dead}}</ref> with 1 million cumulative downloads by June 27, 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.medialets.com/blog/2009/06/24/palm-pre-app-catalog-reaches-1-million-downloads|title=Palm Pre App Catalog Reaches 1 Million Downloads|author=Barletta, Bryan|date=June 24, 2009|publisher=Medialets, Inc.|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110172050/http://www.medialets.com/blog/2009/06/24/palm-pre-app-catalog-reaches-1-million-downloads|url-status=dead}}</ref> 30 official and 31 unofficial apps by July 13, 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.precentral.net/palm-pre-homebrew-31-apps-official-app-catalog-30|title=Palm Pre Homebrew: 31 Apps. Official App Catalog: 30|author=Bohn, Dieter|date=July 10, 2009|work=PreCentral.net|publisher=Smartphone Experts|access-date=March 4, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006124502/http://www.precentral.net/palm-pre-homebrew-31-apps-official-app-catalog-30|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1,000 official apps by January 1, 2010;<ref>{{cite web|last=Werlinger|first=Robert|title=App Catalog Hits 1000 apps|publisher=webOS Nation|date=January 1, 2010|url=http://www.precentral.net/app-catalog-hits-1000-apps|access-date=April 27, 2012|archive-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006124724/http://www.precentral.net/app-catalog-hits-1000-apps|url-status=dead}}</ref> 4,000 official apps September 29, 2010;<ref>{{cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |title=webOS surpasses 5,000 apps |publisher=webOS Nation |date=September 29, 2010|url=http://www.webosnation.com/webos-surpasses-5-000-apps|access-date=April 27, 2012}}</ref> and 10,002 official apps on December 9, 2011.<ref>[http://www.webosnation.com/touchpad-breaks-1000-app-milestone Touchpad breaks 1,000 app milestone]. webOSNation.com, December 9, 2011.</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2024}}

As the new name of his company implies, WebOSInc has developed a web-based operating system, my-WebOS, a platform for applications that are hosted on a web server instead of desktop computers. Mr Pishevar is quick to give credit to Fredrik Malmer, an 18-year-old Swedish software writer, who created the operating system that the company is now blending with a full suite of office applications.

Subsequently, the number of available apps decreased because many apps were withdrawn from the App Catalog by their owners. Examples include the apps for ''[[The New York Times]]'' and [[Pandora Radio]]. After a Catalog splash screen on November 11, 2014, announcing its deprecation, the HP App Catalog servers were permanently shut down on March 15, 2015. The number of functional apps remaining at that time is unknown but was probably much lower due to the imminent abandonment of the project.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/6/5/3062611/palm-webos-hp-inside-story-pre-postmortem |title=Pre to Postmortem: the Inside Story of the Death of Palm and webOS |last=Ziegler |first=Chris |date=June 5, 2012 |work=The Verge |access-date=November 10, 2018 }}</ref>

Rather than licensing its software to individual users, WebOSInc plans to offer access to the programmes as a service via the internet. This places the fledgling company in the forefront of a rapidly growing trend toward "software as services" that is supported by some of Microsoft's fiercest rivals, including Oracle and Sun Microsystems.

=== 2013–2018: Acquisition by LG; open-source edition launch ===

Yet WebOSInc has not affiliated itself with the anti-Microsoft camp. Although it may end up competing with the world's largest software company for customers and for the time and attention of third-party developers, this start-up has no plans to tackle the mighty Microsoft head on.

On February 25, 2013, HP announced that it was selling webOS to [[LG Electronics]] for use on its web-enabled [[smart TV]]s, replacing its previous NetCast platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webosnation.com/gram-working-lg-open-webos-tv|title=Gram working with LG on an Open webOS TV|work=webOS Nation|date=October 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-news/press-release.html?id=1375489#.USvx7qK-q2E|title=LG Electronics Acquires webOS from HP to Enhance Smart TV|work=Press Release: February 25, 2013|publisher=Hewlett-Packard|date=February 25, 2013|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> Under the agreement LG Electronics owns the documentation, source code, developers and all related websites. However, HP would still hold on to patents from Palm as well as cloud-based services such as the App Catalog.<ref>{{cite news|title=HP offloads Palm webOS assets to Korea's LG|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21587666|work=[[BBC News]]|date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=February 26, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, HP sold its webOS patents to Qualcomm.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/01/24/qualcomm-purchases-hp-patents/4819069/ Qualcomm purchases Palm patents from HP] USA Today January 24, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2016</ref>

As well as its use as an OS for smart TVs, LG has expanded its use to various [[Internet of things]] devices. As a starting point, LG showcased a LG Wearable Platform OS (webOS) smartwatch in early 2015.<ref>{{cite web |first=Nilay |last=Patel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/2/25/4027814/hp-emerges-as-big-winner-in-webos-sale |title=HP Emerges as Big Winner in webOS Sale |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=February 25, 2013 |access-date=January 6, 2014 }}</ref>

Drew Morris, chief technology officer, says the team is too smart to "pull the tiger's tail". Rather, they aim to reshape the software market. Then, it will be up to Microsoft to respond. "We are small, fast, agile, flexible, young, filled with a passion for ideas and vision and we will leverage our first-mover advantage to gain a leading share of a new market we will have enabled," says Mr Pishevar.

At CES 2017, LG announced a smart refrigerator with webOS.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diqI7XLXlXg|title=LG at CES 2017 – LG InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator |work=LG Global |date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=September 13, 2017 }}</ref>

On March 19, 2018, LG announced an open-source edition of webOS.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=LG-webOS-Open-Source-Edition |title=LG Announces webOS Open-Source Edition|publisher=Phoronix|first=Michael |last=Larabel |date=March 19, 2018|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> This edition would allow developers to download the source code for free as well as take advantage of related tools, guides, and forums on its new open source website to become more familiar with webOS and its inherent benefits as a smart device's platform. LG hopes that this will help its goal of advancing its philosophy of open platform, open partnership and open connectivity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgnewsroom.com/2018/03/webos-enters-next-phase-as-global-platform-under-lgs-stewardship/|title=webOS Enters Next Phase as Global Platform under LG's Stewardship |publisher=LG |date=March 19, 2018 |access-date=March 20, 2018 }}</ref>

MyWebOS is a "disruptive technology", he says, one that will change the dominant distribution channels for software. "Since our technology will also enable the full realisation of a true 'network computer', the distribution of computer hardware will shift as well," he predicts.

=== 2019-present: webOS Auto, expansion of software ===

Microsoft is not ignoring the trend. This week, it announced plans to offer tools to enable software developers to create web-hosted applications. Yet these tools remain tied to the Windows operating system.

In April of 2020, LG announced that they would be expanding the webOS software to cars, known as webOS Auto. It first saw use in [[Kia]] and [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] SUV models, and has been used ever since, more recently in the Kia EV3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charleston |first=Kia Country of |date=2024-06-07 |title=Upcoming EV3 becomes first EV to get WebOS Platform |url=https://www.kiacountryofcharleston.com/blog/upcoming-ev3-becomes-first-ev-to-get-webos-platform/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Kia Country of Charleston |language=en}}</ref>

On February 24th, 2021, LG announced that they would expand the webOS software to other TV manufacturers. Among the list of TV manufacturers were RCA, [[Konka Group|Konka]], and Ayonz. In addition, webOS was also backed by technology partners such as [[Realtek]], [[Nuance Communications|Nuance]], and [[Universal Electronics]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=LG Expands webOS Smart TV Platform to TV Brand Partners :: webOS Developer Site |url=https://webos.developer.lge.com/webos-news-list/lg-expands-webos-smart-tv-platform-tv-brand-partners/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=webos.developer.lge.com}}</ref>

In contrast, WebOSInc aims to make its software available to any computer user, no matter what sort of computer or web-access device they are using and regardless of the computer operating system involved.

==Features==

WebOSInc will launch myWebOS later this month. In October, it plans to announce partnerships with some of the busiest web sites on the internet. It is also targeting PC manufacturers. The software company will share software use fees with its partners.

The webOS mobile platform introduced some innovative features, such as the cards interface and the gesture navigation, that are now standard in mobile operating systems such as [[iOS]], [[Windows Phone]], and [[Android (operating system)|Android]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/06/12/jon-rubinstein-os-x-and-ios-7-borrow-features-from-webos/ |title=Jon Rubinstein: OS X and iOS 7 borrow features from webOS |website=Engadget |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=September 15, 2017 |title=What the iPhone X borrowed from the Palm Pre |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/15/16300402/iphone-x-webos-palm-pre-cards-gestures-nostalgia |access-date=June 9, 2022 |website=The Verge }}</ref>

{{multiple image

The business model has huge potential, says Chris Shipley, editor of DemoLetter, an industry newsletter. If WebOSInc's software begins to appear on popular web sites, this will get PC manufacturers thinking, she suggests.

| direction = vertical

| width = 180

| header= ''Logo history''

| image1 = Palm webOS logo.svg

| caption1 = Palm webOS logo

| image2 = WebOS.png

| caption2 = HP webOS logo

| image3 = OpenWebOS logo.png

| caption3 = Open webOS logo

| image4 = LG WebOS New.svg

| caption4 = LG webOS logo

}}

{| class="wikitable"

With PC manufacturers under pressure to reduce their prices, they may well ask: "Why pay Microsoft to bundle Works or Office with our products?". In contrast, a partnership with WebOSInc could reduce the PC manufacturer's costs and also provide it with an "annuity revenue stream" of monthly fees for software use, she says.

|+ Features from releases of webOS

|-

! scope="col" | Feature

! scope="col" width="250"| LG webOS

! scope="col" width="150"| Open webOS

! scope="col" width="150"| HP/Palm webOS

|-

! scope="row" | Multitasking interface

| style="text-align:center" | Line cards

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | Cards

|-

! scope="row" | Gesture interface

| style="text-align:center" | Magic Remote

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | touch screen and physical keyboard

|-

! scope="row" | App store

| style="text-align:center" | LG Content Store

| {{No}}

| style="text-align:center" | HP App Catalog

|-

! scope="row" | Over-the-air updates

| colspan="3" {{Yes}}

|-

! scope="row" | Service discovery

| {{Free|Connect SDK}}

| {{No}}

| {{Yes2|[[zeroconf]] / Touch to Share}}

|-

! scope="row" | Open source

| {{Partial}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Source edition home page|url=http://webosose.org/|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

| {{Yes}}

| {{Partial}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Source Packages|url=http://www.openwebosproject.org/opensource/packages.html|access-date=April 6, 2014|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030012743/http://www.openwebosproject.org/opensource/packages.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

|}

=== HP/Palm webOS ===

WebOSInc is not alone in spotting the potential of web-hosted software. Desktop.com, a San Francisco start-up, is heading in the same direction. Sun Microsystems announced earlier this month plans to make a suite of office applications called StarOffice available for use free of charge over the internet.

[[File:Palm webOS Launcher.png|thumb|upright|Screenshot of Palm webOS Launcher (2010)]]

====Multitasking interface====

These and other offerings "validate our space", says Mr Pishevar. Besides which, each of the pioneers of web-hosted software is taking a slightly different tack.

Navigation uses [[multi-touch]] [[pointing device gesture|gestures]] on the [[touchscreen]]. The interface uses "cards" to manage [[Computer multitasking|multitasking]] and represent apps. The user switches between running apps with a flick from left and right on the screen. Apps are closed by flicking a "card" up—and "off"—the screen. The app "cards" can be rearranged for organization. webOS 2.0 introduced 'stacks', where related cards could be "stacked" together.

====Synergy====

Desktop.com, which has revealed little about its plans, appears to be aiming at the individual computer user.

Palm referred to integration of information from many sources as "Synergy." Users can sign into multiple email accounts from different providers and integrate all of these sources into a single list. Similar capabilities pull together calendars and also [[instant messages]] and [[SMS]] text messages from multiple sources.<ref name="PalmwebOSPress">{{cite press release |title=Palm Unveils All-new webOS |url=http://investor.palm.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=358392 |publisher=[[Palm, Inc.]] |date=January 8, 2009 |access-date=May 27, 2009 |archive-date=August 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110801213404/http://investor.palm.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=358392|url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Over-the-air updates====

Sun Microsystems is out to prove the concept of web-hosted software, which could boost demand for its high-performance servers, rather than to dominate the market itself.

The OS can be updated without docking to a PC, instead receiving OS updates over the carrier connection.

====Notifications====

WebOSInc also aims to differentiate itself through close relationships with third-party software developers. MyWebOS comes with a full application programmer's interface and developer's tool kit that enables software writers to begin building applications.

The notification area is located on the bottom portion of the screen on phones, and on the top status bar area on tablets.

On phones, when a notification comes in, it slides in from the bottom of the screen. Due to the resizable nature of the Mojo and Enyo application frameworks, the app usually resizes itself to allow unhindered use while the notification is displayed. After the notification slides away, it usually remains as an icon. The user can then tap on the icons to expand them. Notifications can then be dismissed (sliding off the screen), acted upon (tapping), or left alone.

The HyperOffice suite of productivity applications will be "open sourced", so that all developers can participate in improving and expanding upon them, says Mr Pishevar.

====Sync====

"Since we will be licensing our technology to other companies that will be hosting the software, we can focus on our developers' network and enabling developers to create web applications that no one has ever seen before."

By default, data sync uses a [[cloud computing|cloud-based]] approach rather than using a desktop [[data synchronization|sync]] client. The first version of webOS shipped with the ability to sync with Apple's iTunes software by masquerading as an Apple device, but this feature was disabled by subsequent iTunes software updates.

====Third-party applications====

If Mr Pishevar sounds like an idealist, he makes no apologies. A former student activist who involved himself in local education as well as global issues - he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, just two years ago - he now aims to become an "entrepreneurial activist".

On HP webOS, officially vetted third-party apps are accessible to be installed on the device from the HP App Catalog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palm.com/us/products/software/mobile-applications.html|title=HP webOS official website|publisher=Palm, Inc.|access-date=June 14, 2013|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526011335/http://www.palm.com/us/products/software/mobile-applications.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As HP webOS replaced [[Palm OS]], Palm commissioned MotionApps to code and develop an [[emulator]] called Classic, to enable backward compatibility to Palm OS apps. This operates with webOS version 1.0. Palm OS emulation was discontinued in WebOS version 2.0.<ref>Derek Kessler. October 25, 2010.[http://www.precentral.net/webos-20-pushes-classic-palm-os-emulator-out-pictureWith WebOS 2.0, MotionApps drops Classic PalmOS Emulator in Palm's lap.]{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> MotionApps disengaged from Classic in 2010, citing HP Palm as "disruptive."<ref>MotionApps. October 25, 2010.[http://www.motionapps.com/classic Classic's Got a Brand New Home! MotionApps Hands Classic Over to Palm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224080058/http://www.motionapps.com/classic/ |date=December 24, 2010 }}</ref>

Yet Mr Pishevar may have more in common with today's leaders of the computer industry "establishment" than he realises. Steve Jobs, of Apple Computer, was determined to bring computing to the masses. Bill Gates wanted a "computer on every desk and in every home" to run Microsoft software long before most people had thought of owning one.

Another source of [[application software|applications]] is [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew software]].<ref name="Homebrew20110129">Precentral (precentral.net). [http://www.precentral.net/homebrew-apps Homebrew Apps] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130112094721/http://www.precentral.net/homebrew-apps |date=January 12, 2013 }}</ref><ref>milominderbinder (precentral.net) January 22, 2010. [http://www.precentral.net/getting-started-homebrew-apps-patches-and-themes-webos-quick-install Getting Started: Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes with webOS Quick Install.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020450/http://www.precentral.net/getting-started-homebrew-apps-patches-and-themes-webos-quick-install |date=July 24, 2011 }}</ref> Homebrew apps are not directly supported by HP. Programs used to distribute homebrew webOS apps include webOS Quick Install (Java-based sideloader for desktop computers) and Preware (a homebrew webOS app catalog, which must be sideloaded). If software problems do occur after installing homebrew programs, "webOS Doctor" (provided by HP) can restore a phone back to factory settings and remove changes made by homebrew apps and patches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ws.hpwebos.com/webosdoctor/sorry.htm|title=HP webOS Doctor|publisher=HPWebOS.com|access-date=January 6, 2014|archive-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422020231/http://ws.hpwebos.com/webosdoctor/sorry.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As Mr Gates has warned that Microsoft is vulnerable to new competitors, so Mr Pishevar is already planning to avoid being caught out by the next generation of software entrepreneurs.

====Developer mode====

If we execute perfectly we will, in the future, face the same challenges that our larger competitors face today," he says. His goal is "to keep WebOSInc a very simple organisation".

Developer mode allows for developer access of the device and is also used for digital forensic investigations. It can be accessed by typing ''webos20090606'' on the device's keyboard, or on some devices typing ''upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart'' (a reference to the [[Konami code]]) on the cards view. Once in developer mode, data on the system partition can be accessed freely, even if the device was locked.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Casey |first1=Eoghan |last2=Cheval |first2=Adrien |last3=Lee |first3=Jong Yeon |last4=Oxley |first4=David |last5=Song |first5=Yong Jun |title=Forensic acquisition and analysis of palm webOS on mobile devices |journal=Digital Investigation |date=July 1, 2011 |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=37–47 |doi=10.1016/j.diin.2011.04.003 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1742287611000405 |issn=1742-2876|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/06/10/the-secret-to-palm-pre-dev-mode-lies-in-the-konami-code/ | title=The secret to Palm Pre dev mode lies in the Konami code | date=June 10, 2009 }}</ref>

===LG webOS===

The irony is that Mr Pishevar and Mr Gates, although they have very different backgrounds - the former the son of a taxi cab driver and a hotel worker, the latter the son of a prominent Seattle family - share an unusual intellectual curiosity and capacity that might make them friends, were they not destined to become competitors.

====Smart TV features====

LA Times Article on WebOS:

LG has redesigned the UI of webOS, maintaining the card UI as a feature called "Simple switching" between open TV apps. The other two features promoted by the company are a simple connection (using an animated [[Clippy]]-like character called Beanbird to aid the user through setup), and simple discovery.

==Platform==

LA TIMES: Software for Rent Might Yet Microsoft Sweat

{{Update section|date=March 2018}}

{{See also|webOS version history}}

Summary: A tiny "dot-com" start-up recently launched what could ultimately

emerge as a true alternative for mainstream computing: free

office-productivity software and the low-cost rental of other apps. It could

prove more worrisome to MS than its legal problems.

Underneath the [[graphical user interface]], webOS has much in common with mainstream [[Linux distribution]]s. Versions 1.0 to 2.1 use a patched Linux 2.6.24 [[kernel (operating system)|kernel]].<ref name="opc" />

Software for Rent Might Yet Make Microsoft Sweat

The list of open-source components used by the different releases of webOS, as well as the source code of and patches applied to each component, is available at the Palm Open Source webpage.<ref name="opc">{{cite web|url=http://www.openwebosproject.org/opensource/packages.html|title=Open Source Packages: HP webOS open source compliance|website=openwebosproject.org|access-date=October 28, 2013|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030012743/http://www.openwebosproject.org/opensource/packages.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> This page also serves as a reference listing of the versions of webOS that have been publicly released.

by Charles Piller

Los Angeles Times

12/13/1999

In 2011, [[Enyo (software)|Enyo]] replaced Mojo, released in June 2009, as the [[software development kit]] (SDK).<ref>{{cite web|author=Jesse Mendoza|title=HP Rolls Out webOS 3.0 Beta with Enyo On Board|date=March 30, 2010|url=http://www.webosroundup.com/2011/03/hp-rolls-out-webos-3-0-beta-with-enyo-on-board|access-date=April 3, 2011|archive-date=April 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404061738/http://www.webosroundup.com/2011/03/hp-rolls-out-webos-3-0-beta-with-enyo-on-board/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/1999/12-08ericsson.htm> MS,

Ericsson Team Up to Bring Information Anytime, Anywhere, to Carriers and

Consumers

==Hardware==

<http://www.ericsson.com/pressroom/comp_newtw.shtml> About Ericsson

[[File:LG Watch Urbane LTE (16950018369).jpg|thumb|LG Watch Urbane LTE running LG webOS]]

{| class="wikitable"

Microsoft often says that its hold on the fast-changing world of

|-

computer software faces powerful new threats every day. It's tempting to

!webOS version

laugh off that refrain as a diversionary tactic in Microsoft's antitrust

!Type

wars. But a tiny "dot-com" start-up recently launched what could ultimately

!Device

emerge as a true alternative for mainstream computing: free

!Release date

office-productivity software and the low-cost rental of other applications.

!{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

That model could eventually prove more worrisome to Microsoft than its legal

|-

problems.

| rowspan="11" |HP/Palm webOS

| rowspan="7" |Phones

|[[Palm Pre]]

Pre Plus

|June 6, 2009,

January 25, 2010

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-the-palm-pre-2011-8|title=The Short, Sad, And Painful History Of The Palm Pre|work=Business Insider|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>

|-

|[[Palm Pixi]]

Pixi Plus

|November 15, 2009,

January 7, 2010

|<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2248309/smartphones/meet-the-palm-pixi--the-newest-webos-smartphone.html |title=Meet the Palm Pixi: The Newest webOS Smartphone |last=Mies |first=Ginny |work=Network World |access-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150921/https://www.networkworld.com/article/2248309/smartphones/meet-the-palm-pixi--the-newest-webos-smartphone.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

|-

|[[Palm Pre 2]]

|October 22, 2010

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/06/review_smartphone_palm_pre_2/|title=Palm Pre 2 WebOS 2.0 smartphone|access-date=June 24, 2018 }}</ref>

|-

|[[HP Veer]]

|August 18, 2011

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/227377/hp_veer_4g_att.html|title=HP Veer 4G: A Supercompact WebOS Phone|work=PCWorld|access-date=June 24, 2018 }}</ref>

|-

|[[HP Pre 3]]

|August 18, 2011

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/09/24/pre-3-for-atandt-review/|title=Pre 3 for AT&T review|work=Engadget|access-date=June 24, 2018 }}</ref>

|-

|Windsor, WindsorNot

| rowspan="2" {{n/a|Cancelled}}

|<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/2/5264580/the-lost-secrets-of-webos|title=The lost secrets of webOS|work=The Verge|access-date=June 29, 2018 }}</ref>

|-

|Mako

|<ref name=":0" />

|-

| rowspan="4" |Tablets

|[[HP TouchPad]]

|July 1, 2011

|<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://gizmodo.com/5756098/hp-touchpad-is-their-10-inch-webos-tablet |title=HP TouchPad Is Their 10-inch webOS Tablet |last=Chen |first=Jason |work=Gizmodo |access-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-date=June 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624150417/https://gizmodo.com/5756098/hp-touchpad-is-their-10-inch-webos-tablet |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|-

|[[HP TouchPad#Other models|HP TouchPad Go]]

| rowspan="3" {{n/a|Cancelled}}

|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/products/touchpad-go/3998|title=TouchPad Go {{!}} HP - The Verge|website=www.theverge.com|access-date=June 24, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624175043/https://www.theverge.com/products/touchpad-go/3998|url-status=dead}}</ref>

|-

|Sapphire

|<ref name=":0" />

|-

|Twain

|<ref name=":0" />

|-

| rowspan="5" |LG webOS

| rowspan="2" |Televisions

|LG smart TV models

| rowspan="3" {{varies}}

|<ref name="LG-Smart-TVs2">{{cite web|url=http://www.lg.com/us/experience-tvs/smart-tv/use|title=LG webOS TV Smart+|website=LG.com|publisher=LG Corporation|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnarcher/2017/01/03/lgs-webos-smart-tv-system-just-got-even-better/|title=LG's WebOS Smart TV System Just Got Even Better|last=Archer|first=John|work=Forbes|access-date=June 24, 2018 }}</ref>

|-

|LG smart laser projector

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2017/5/31/15719160/lg-probeam-laser-projector-hf80ja|title=LG has released an affordable laser projector|work=The Verge|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2016/12/20/14022516/lg-probeam-portable-projector-2000-lumens|title=LG combines webOS, lasers, and lumens into another reason to replace your TV|work=The Verge|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>

|-

|

|FOX TVs (Serbia)

|

|-

|Refrigerators

|LG smart fridge models

|

|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/7/16860260/lg-instaview-thinq-smart-refrigerator-webos-alexa-home-ces-2018|title=LG's new smart fridge features a transparent 29-inch touchscreen|work=The Verge|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/ces/2017/1/4/14166240/lg-webos-amazon-alexa-fridge-announce-ces-2017|title=LG put webOS and Amazon Alexa on a fridge|work=The Verge|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>

|-

|Watches

|[[LG Watch Urbane|LG Watch Urbane LTE]]

|April 27, 2015

|<ref name="Byford">{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/1/8128483/lg-watch-urbane-lte-hands-on|title=Our first look at LG's new webOS and Android Wear smartwatches|last=Byford|first=Sam|date=March 1, 2015|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Benson">{{cite web|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/urbane-lte-impressions-lgs-little-known-webos-617814/|title=Watch Urbane LTE impressions: LG's little known webOS experiment|last=Benson|first=Matthew|date=June 23, 2015|website=Android Authority|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Reed">{{cite web|url=https://bgr.com/2015/03/05/lg-watch-urbane-lte-webos/|title=I can't believe I'm saying this but... webOS looks like a great smartwatch platform|last=Reed|first=Brad|date=March 5, 2015|website=[[Boy Genius Report|BGR]]|access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref>

|-

|LG webOS HUB

|Televisions

|Hyundai smart TV models

|Unknown

|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smart TV WebOs 60" definición 4k |url=https://tiendahyundai.com.co/producto/smart-tv-web-os-hub-60-4k-asistente-de-voz/ |access-date=July 17, 2024 |language=es}}</ref>

|}

==See also==

Understand first that this is still a conceptual threat; for not even the

{{Portal|Free and open-source software

Justice Department will unseat Bill Gates as software's emperor any time

}}

soon. But MyWebOS.com, based in Baltimore, offers a provocative Web-based

* [[List of smart TV platforms and middleware software]]

replacement for Windows and Microsoft Office as the central software tools

* [[Enyo (software)|Enyo]]

for most PC users.

* [[Mobile platform]]

* [[Access Linux Platform]]

* [[LuneOS]]

* [[List of WebOS devices]]

==References==

MyWebOS strongly resembles the Windows desktop and comes equipped with a

{{Reflist|30em}}

range of free productivity and communication applications, such as a

calendar, contact manager, e-mail client and Web browser, as well as a

file-navigation program modeled on Windows Explorer.

==External links==

Because these new software programs and files reside on MyWebOS server

{{Commons category}}

computers rather than on individual PCs, users can access them from any PC

* [https://webosose.org webOS Open Source Edition (LG)]

via an Internet connection.

* [https://webos.developer.lge.com webOS Developer Center]

* [https://webostv.developer.lge.com/ LG webOS TV Developer Center]

The new company hopes to make its money as a host platform for a wide range

* [https://www.lgwebos.co.il/ LG webOS TV Israel]

of other software tools created by independent developers. Users would rent

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20211130034118/http://webosauto.swsolutions.lge.com/ webOS Auto Developer Center]

rather than buy those applications.

Most of these tools already are free on a range of Web sites, so why would

anyone want to use a separate operating system inside a browser? One reason

would be MyWeb's HyperOffice, an accompanying suite of free business

applications: word processor, spreadsheet, database manager and a tool for

creating business presentations. MyWebOS will also offer 20 megabytes of

free storage space--enough for many typical users' business files.

MyWebOS is still in "beta" testing, and its test version of the product

falls far short of its ultimate goal. Only the word processor portion of its

HyperOffice suite is up and running. The other products are scheduled to

debut early next year, when the service will formally debut.

Yet the company's goal is clear. "We want to turn the software market into

something like the utility market," said MyWebOS.com Chief Executive Shervin

Pishevar.

By utility, he's thinking of an electrical power utility.

Pishevar proposes to meter the use of, say, tax software at 50 cents an

hour. Most people use such programs no more than 20 hours a year, but pay

$50 or more for the latest version every winter. Under his plan, a consumer

would save $40 per year.

Or perhaps your business relies on an expensive customized program, but your

field offices use the program only occasionally. Does it make more sense to

buy each office a copy for $10,000 a pop, or to rent it at $100 an hour for

one hour every month?

In addition to earning commissions from software rentals, MyWebOS plans to

become an "infomediary"--combining the collective buying power of its users

into one block to command discounts on goods and services, and taking a cut

in the process. Pishevar thinks this will provide sufficient revenue; no

banner ads will clutter the screen, making MyWebOS sufficiently businesslike

to run a business on.

That model resembles an emerging software distribution model from companies

referred to as application service providers, or ASPs. Typically, ASPs

structure pricing on a monthly or annual basis per user for corporate

accounts, though individual plans are now available. For example, Fountain

Valley-based Personable.com offers Microsoft Office and other applications

for $9.95 and up a month, plus storage and access fees.

The MyWebOS pay-per-use plan democratizes the ASP model, making software

rental accessible to anyone at a much lower price.

Pishevar positions MyWebOS as no threat to Microsoft (and even says he'd

love to offer Microsoft Office as a rental option). But Microsoft should

hate this product for several reasons.

First, MyWebOS would provide a self-contained environment, complete with

software developer guidelines and incentives, something like the way

Microsoft woos developers to the Windows platform. Users with modest

computing needs--and that's most people--could do all their computing within

MyWebOS rather than living inside Microsoft's Windows, Office and Internet

Explorer browser environments.

Second, if successful, the MyWebOS model would go a long way toward turning

business productivity applications into commodities, just like Microsoft did

to the Web browser by giving it away. (Microsoft antagonist Sun Microsystems

is abetting this process by giving away its own office suite, Star Office.)

"People have been getting ripped off with the incredibly high [profit]

margins for boxed software," said Pishevar. "Why should a person pay $400

for an application that they might only use 10 times?"

If consumers and small businesses agree with his logic, many will stop

paying for Microsoft Office (which can cost about $300 bought off the

shelf.) And PC vendors--already feeling more independent as Microsoft

operates in the antitrust spotlight--might start wondering why they should

pay Microsoft for a copy of Office to bundle in every new PC in an era of

ferocious price competition.

Finally, if Pishevar is right, MyWebOS.com and similar companies could turn

software from a product into a service, undermining Microsoft's ability to

push Office into every PC in the world. Meanwhile, WebOS could seize a big

part of the Web toll-taker function that industry observers have long seen

as Microsoft's hidden agenda.

"This is one of the most important trends we're viewing now," said Rob

Enderle, an analyst with Giga Information Group, based in Norwell, Mass.

Microsoft has already been hinting that it might respond with its own

pay-per-use service, even though that would cannibalize Office sales.

To be sure, MyWebOS is far from ready to foment a software revolution. First

it has to approach the reliability and performance of Windows and Office

(though it won't need to match the bloated features on Microsoft's package)

and perfect an enticing billing scheme for application rental.

{{LG Electronics}}

But the MyWebOS concept is compelling. And several other start-ups--such as

{{Mobile operating systems}}

Magicaldesk.com and Desktop.com--are beginning to offer similar models for

{{Hewlett-Packard software}}

changing the way people obtain and use basic software programs.

{{Palm Devices}}

{{Linux}}

{{Television and Home theater operating systems}}

[[Category:WebOS| ]]

Collectively they're a hopeful sign, as Microsoft likes to say, that the Web

[[Category:2009 software]]

is making it hard for anyone to hold a lock on the world of software.

[[Category:ARM operating systems]]

[[Category:HP software]]

[[Category:LG Electronics]]

[[Category:Mobile Linux]]

[[Category:Mobile operating systems]]

[[Category:Palm, Inc.]]

[[Category:Smart TV]]

[[Category:Smartphone operating systems]]

[[Category:Software based on WebKit]]

[[Category:Tablet operating systems]]

[[Category:Television operating systems]]