News, Opinion/Editorials

We are the champions! Oh wait… nevermind, we aren’t

By: David Baxter, 8/4/2010 6:20 pm | 57 comments

So a couple of days ago, Android was crowned the king of the mobile OS wars by reportedly selling more phones that use it than any other OS. Now I understand that the other big boys (namely RIM and Apple) will dispute this with some statistics that show them ahead, but that doesn’t matter much to us now, does it?

This is a site about webOS, right? So where do we fit in? Dunno… we aren’t on the chart. Well actually we are, we are grouped with “Others.” *sigh*

So what is going on? webOS has been claimed far and wide to be the best mobile OS on the market right now. Why aren’t we leading the pack or, heck, at least on the chart? Where the heck is HP and all the promised awesomeness?

Dunno… but I do know that the faithful are getting a little nervous.

The sad truth…

We get emails and notes all the time… they all say something like this:

“My Pre exploded/fell apart/did the twist today. Think I am gonna have to get an EVO/iPhone/Huge Brick”

The truth of the matter is if someone is taking the time to write a site like ours, then they were hardcore about their webOS device at one point or another, but they have decided (sometimes grudgingly, other times excitedly) that they want something newer/better/shinier.

For every one of those we get 5 messages that say something like “where the @#$! is 1.4.5?” Again, we don’t know… all we do know is that the powers that be are working hard on it.

Truth is, HP can’t say much right now because it is an official quiet period for them.

On the bright side…

So what am I saying? Am I saying it is time to pack it up and jump ship? Heck no! If you have read this site for very long, you know we are the optimists in the crowd. We are the biggest champions/fans/zealots of webOS on the planet and we have no intention of changing that anytime soon. What I mentioned before is simply the truth. The last few months or so haven’t been the best for webOS, but I believe that the next few months will be. Why? Let’s see…

HP: As you all know, Palm was bought by the behemoth HP and everything we hoped that would come from that merger has (so far) been coming true. Phil McKinney, Rahul Sood, and other HP executives are screaming to just about anyone who will listen that they have big, huge, ginormous plans for webOS in the coming months. While it is all still in the planning phase, it is very exciting to see such a large company be so publicly supportive. You think that if Google, Apple, or others would have won that they would have been like this? Palm would have disappeared and webOS would have been absorbed somewhere. This was the best option by far. Glad HP has lived up to the hype (so far).

C40/Palm Prime/Palm Zen/Big Daddy: Whatever you wanna call it, we all know there is a new phone coming out. The latest rumors have it coming this fall. From the looks of it, the hardware is going to be pretty darn sweet and should be a great platform for webOS to spread its wings. Is it going to be the best phone ever? Yes, but even if it isn’t, it doesn’t have to be. If it has competitive specs and then is marketed well (no Borg queen please), you won’t see any problems with people picking this thing up. The C40 doesn’t have to be the be all end all. It simply needs to be a strong start. webOS and Palm are basically starting from ground zero right now. This phone needs to be competitive, but what it really needs to be is the first of many. We have waited almost 18 months (and counting) for this bad boy to hit retail. The C80, Palm Pre 3, or whatever comes after it shouldn’t be more than 6 – 12 months later. Keep ‘em coming HP.

Tablets/Slates/Pads *shudder*: The most exciting thing coming down the pipe isn’t just a new phone… it is a whole new platform. The tablet business is brand spanking new. The iPad may be popular, but how many do you see on a daily basis? Now compare that to laptops. In 5 years my guess is that you will mainly see tablets in your local Starbucks. In other words, we are just scratching the surface. Here is a dirty little secret… the iPad has a craptastic OS on it. Sure iOS is pretty nice on a phone, but when you have a 10 inch screen staring you in the face you need real multitasking… not “kinda/sorta tasking.” No a tablet needs “I am running 5 apps at a time” multitasking. Simply put… it needs webOS. This is going to be a huge opportunity… Where do I stand in line?

Netbooks and beyond: As HP has mentioned before, they are planning on putting webOS on all sorts of stuff… netbooks, printers, who knows what else. Now what does that mean? It is hard to say really because they have been pretty tight lipped about it, but the way I see it, it can only be a good thing. You probably won’t be playing Paratrooper on your printer anytime soon, but what you do get is a printer that you can write apps for. I think that is a first and it has some really interesting potential. Especially when you start thinking about how easily your phone/netbook/tablet could integrate with such a device.

Bottom Line

Right now, it is pretty easy to pick on the webOS fan. Old hardware… janky upgrade process right now… etc., etc. We have all heard it before, but keep your head up. If things turn out the way I expect them to… maybe, just maybe…. a year from now we may just break out of the “Others” category and give the ole bot a run for its money.

About David Baxter

David is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of webOSroundup. When not toiling away at WOR he is usually with his family, at church, building a website of some kind or another, or playing a video game. @davidbbaxter

View all posts by David Baxter →

http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

As I've been saying everywhere I can: patience is a virtue. If you're a webOS fan, hold tight: great things are coming, but they're not going to be here today (or tomorrow, or next week, or probably even next month). And if you jump ship now, you'll be disappointed when things start getting interesting.

By the way, is HP really in a quiet period? What for, just the end of their quarter? When will it end, when they announce their results? If so, when's that?

jkdj

HP reports on august 19th. They may say something then.

http://intensedebate.com/people/bjshedwick bjshedwick

Reports their earnings?
http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

Aha. Yes, that's possible. Unfortunately, it's also two week away. Grr.
http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

Aha. Yes, that's possible. Unfortunately, it's also two week away. Grr.

http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

As I've been saying everywhere I can: patience is a virtue. If you're a webOS fan, hold tight: great things are coming, but they're not going to be here today (or tomorrow, or next week, or probably even next month). And if you jump ship now, you'll be disappointed when things start getting interesting.

By the way, is HP really in a quiet period? What for, just the end of their quarter? When will it end, when they announce their results? If so, when's that?
http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

As I've been saying everywhere I can: patience is a virtue. If you're a webOS fan, hold tight: great things are coming, but they're not going to be here today (or tomorrow, or next week, or probably even next month). And if you jump ship now, you'll be disappointed when things start getting interesting.

By the way, is HP really in a quiet period? What for, just the end of their quarter? When will it end, when they announce their results? If so, when's that?

jkdj

HP reports on august 19th. They may say something then.

http://intensedebate.com/people/bjshedwick bjshedwick

Reports their earnings?
http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

Aha. Yes, that's possible. Unfortunately, it's also two week away. Grr.

becrazy2

I have high hopes for webOS & will be waiting for it only. Nothing can match this system imo. I love my PRE & can wait, hopefully not long :) , for the next great thing…webOS only for me.
becrazy2

I have high hopes for webOS & will be waiting for it only. Nothing can match this system imo. I love my PRE & can wait, hopefully not long :) , for the next great thing…webOS only for me.
Scotland

Good post. Though I know good things are on the way, the silence is deafening right now and it's a bit tough to take some times. As an original Sprint Pre owner whose storage is completely full (though I love webOS, I knew from the beginning 8GB wasn't going to be enough), I'm eagerly awaiting an upgrade… Hang on, everyone, it will come and I have faith it will be worth the wait.
Scotland

Good post. Though I know good things are on the way, the silence is deafening right now and it's a bit tough to take some times. As an original Sprint Pre owner whose storage is completely full (though I love webOS, I knew from the beginning 8GB wasn't going to be enough), I'm eagerly awaiting an upgrade… Hang on, everyone, it will come and I have faith it will be worth the wait.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bjshedwick bjshedwick

Hopefully this extended period of deafening silence is a lead up to some really amazing stuff. I can wait. webOS all the way.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bjshedwick bjshedwick

Hopefully this extended period of deafening silence is a lead up to some really amazing stuff. I can wait. webOS all the way.
@leejcj

Fortunately (maybe) for me, when I became unsatisfied with my Sprint Palm Pre, I decided the move on to the next best option I had with smartphones on Sprint at the time, the Samsung Moment. I bought a handset on eBay that was part of an Oprah show giveaway, so it came attached to a separate unlimited plan. Although it was nice to have a bigger screen and a wider keyboard and seemingly more solid build quality, every time I simply needed to get something done, I had to pull out the Pre. I resold the Moment and I haven't looked back since. Patching and homebrew has been a boon that I discovered only recently that has breathed new life into my phone.

If I had more money, I would have simply ponied up the cash for the ETF and gotten an iPhone or a Droid… maybe even go back to BB. Quiet period or not, HP/Palm needs to throw its customers a bone.
@leejcj

Fortunately (maybe) for me, when I became unsatisfied with my Sprint Palm Pre, I decided the move on to the next best option I had with smartphones on Sprint at the time, the Samsung Moment. I bought a handset on eBay that was part of an Oprah show giveaway, so it came attached to a separate unlimited plan. Although it was nice to have a bigger screen and a wider keyboard and seemingly more solid build quality, every time I simply needed to get something done, I had to pull out the Pre. I resold the Moment and I haven't looked back since. Patching and homebrew has been a boon that I discovered only recently that has breathed new life into my phone.

If I had more money, I would have simply ponied up the cash for the ETF and gotten an iPhone or a Droid… maybe even go back to BB. Quiet period or not, HP/Palm needs to throw its customers a bone.
Blayze04

As a person who uses every mobile OS I get my hands on, I can’t honestly agree that WebOS is “far and away the best mobile OS”. The OS is hampered by lag and lacking features. The OS has great potential, but sitting dormant during this huge time of mobile phone growth is really hurting them. If Palm/HP only release the “C40″ this year, I can safely say their smartphone segment is dead. With Android 3.0 and phone 7 coming this year, and iOS 5 coming early next year… I just don’t see how WebOS will compete from such a weak position. They need to release a different form factor for every segment of the market or they will die.

I’ve got my fingers crossed. Hell, everyone thought there was no way Android would catch up to Apple and in only 18 months it passed iOS sales in North America. WebOS could do the same but 2.0 needs to be huge and there needs to be a portrait slider, sideways slider, slate, and portrait nonslider QWERTY all at once.
Blayze04

As a person who uses every mobile OS I get my hands on, I can’t honestly agree that WebOS is “far and away the best mobile OS”. The OS is hampered by lag and lacking features. The OS has great potential, but sitting dormant during this huge time of mobile phone growth is really hurting them. If Palm/HP only release the “C40″ this year, I can safely say their smartphone segment is dead. With Android 3.0 and phone 7 coming this year, and iOS 5 coming early next year… I just don’t see how WebOS will compete from such a weak position. They need to release a different form factor for every segment of the market or they will die.

I’ve got my fingers crossed. Hell, everyone thought there was no way Android would catch up to Apple and in only 18 months it passed iOS sales in North America. WebOS could do the same but 2.0 needs to be huge and there needs to be a portrait slider, sideways slider, slate, and portrait nonslider QWERTY all at once.
SoCal

Even if they just gave us an approximate date, that they were going to announce a release date for new hardware/software, that would be something.
SoCal

Even if they just gave us an approximate date, that they were going to announce a release date for new hardware/software, that would be something.
SoCal

Even if they just gave us an approximate date, that they were going to announce a release date for new hardware/software, that would be something.
Sean

In this new brave world of announcements/leaks and launches within few months, I would rather them wait until its very near to retail. I'm sure we all recall the Pre January CES announcement and then the 6 mo wait for launch, only to have hardware somewhat (for a new product line anyway) behind the curve at the time and not much Hype left over. I'm sure HP is not going down that road again.

http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

I think 60 days is safe enough. Announce in August, ship in October.
http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

I think 60 days is safe enough. Announce in August, ship in October.

Sean

In this new brave world of announcements/leaks and launches within few months, I would rather them wait until its very near to retail. I'm sure we all recall the Pre January CES announcement and then the 6 mo wait for launch, only to have hardware somewhat (for a new product line anyway) behind the curve at the time and not much Hype left over. I'm sure HP is not going down that road again.
Sean

In this new brave world of announcements/leaks and launches within few months, I would rather them wait until its very near to retail. I'm sure we all recall the Pre January CES announcement and then the 6 mo wait for launch, only to have hardware somewhat (for a new product line anyway) behind the curve at the time and not much Hype left over. I'm sure HP is not going down that road again.

http://twitter.com/AboutwebOS @AboutwebOS

I think 60 days is safe enough. Announce in August, ship in October.

eid

I had a BB before my current Palm Pre +. I wouldn't get on that wagon at this point. BB is going to get slaughtered this next year and the latest Torch is a lukewarm upgrade at best. If Palm/HP does a incremental upgrade like BB did with the Torch, I would be looking seriously at the next android device.
However, I do think android manufacturers are going to get tired of competiing against one another. Manufacturers are going to get tired of the deathmatch where their margin of victory only lasts for a few months before the next wave of devices comes out. Meanwhile Google sits pretty watching the bloodfest.

Sean

I don't understand how they, meaning manufacturers, are keeping this cycle up. Its ludicrous. New "better" android device every other month, are they seriously selling THAT many phones without contracts. There has got to get a point where "most" people who want a smartphone has one and is under some sort of contract. I mean seriously they last 2 years, I couldn't upgrade to a new phone every 4-6 months to the next version of "Droid". I just can not see how long Android makers can keep this up.
Sean

I don't understand how they, meaning manufacturers, are keeping this cycle up. Its ludicrous. New "better" android device every other month, are they seriously selling THAT many phones without contracts. There has got to get a point where "most" people who want a smartphone has one and is under some sort of contract. I mean seriously they last 2 years, I couldn't upgrade to a new phone every 4-6 months to the next version of "Droid". I just can not see how long Android makers can keep this up.
Robert (rlopin)

Part 1 of 3
Google's Android is Microsoft's Windows and its smartphones are the PCs. The "bloodfest" model has worked great for decades. When all PCs had basically the same OS (Windows), they competed (and still compete) on razor thin margins with the differentiators being the internal hardware, bundled software, warranties/service, customizability of the build by the end user, upgradeability, physical design, etc.

Android adds the UI differentiators (skin / touch interface) only because Android's native UI is so poor. Windows had that as well at one point (remember BOB?), and still has a specialized UI for dedicated verticals (e.g., Windows Media Center). Apple lost market share because there weren't enough apps compared to Windows. It became specialized originally in the desktop publishing / photography / video editing space because its UI was better than Windows for many years (not so much anymore compared to Windows 7).
Robert (rlopin)

Part 2 of 3
So manufacturers of Window's machines haven't gotten "tired of competing against one another". Actually, that's not entirely true. They have grown wary to some degree as is evidenced by their desire to expand into other OS's (Linux for Netbooks, WebOS and ChromeOS on the horizon). Linux failed on the netbook, however. So they are all just hedging their bets by dipping a toe or two into the alternatives until they see one take off.

One side of me is a die hard "follow the Apple model, control the entire echo system, create a value chain, charge a premium". The other side is a "follow the PC model, license WebOS, make money on the larger volume".
Robert (rlopin)

Part 2 of 3
So manufacturers of Window's machines haven't gotten "tired of competing against one another". Actually, that's not entirely true. They have grown wary to some degree as is evidenced by their desire to expand into other OS's (Linux for Netbooks, WebOS and ChromeOS on the horizon). Linux failed on the netbook, however. So they are all just hedging their bets by dipping a toe or two into the alternatives until they see one take off.

One side of me is a die hard "follow the Apple model, control the entire echo system, create a value chain, charge a premium". The other side is a "follow the PC model, license WebOS, make money on the larger volume".
Robert (rlopin)

Part 3 of 3
Is a hybrid solution possible or does it have to be one or the other? As WebOS spreads to other devices (Netbooks, Tablets, TV's, Printer's, Thermostats) the PC model makes more sense since I'd rather have more manufacturers making those other devices instead of just HP (imagine Panasonic, Sony, Vizio all making WebOS televisions).

Perhaps HP/Palm will keep WebOS exclusivity to smartphones, netbooks and printers, but license it out for all other devices where they don't have as strong a foothold. Time will tell. We're rooting for you HP/Palm!
Robert (rlopin)

Part 3 of 3
Is a hybrid solution possible or does it have to be one or the other? As WebOS spreads to other devices (Netbooks, Tablets, TV's, Printer's, Thermostats) the PC model makes more sense since I'd rather have more manufacturers making those other devices instead of just HP (imagine Panasonic, Sony, Vizio all making WebOS televisions).

Perhaps HP/Palm will keep WebOS exclusivity to smartphones, netbooks and printers, but license it out for all other devices where they don't have as strong a foothold. Time will tell. We're rooting for you HP/Palm!

eid

I had a BB before my current Palm Pre +. I wouldn't get on that wagon at this point. BB is going to get slaughtered this next year and the latest Torch is a lukewarm upgrade at best. If Palm/HP does a incremental upgrade like BB did with the Torch, I would be looking seriously at the next android device.
However, I do think android manufacturers are going to get tired of competiing against one another. Manufacturers are going to get tired of the deathmatch where their margin of victory only lasts for a few months before the next wave of devices comes out. Meanwhile Google sits pretty watching the bloodfest.
eid

I had a BB before my current Palm Pre +. I wouldn't get on that wagon at this point. BB is going to get slaughtered this next year and the latest Torch is a lukewarm upgrade at best. If Palm/HP does a incremental upgrade like BB did with the Torch, I would be looking seriously at the next android device.
However, I do think android manufacturers are going to get tired of competiing against one another. Manufacturers are going to get tired of the deathmatch where their margin of victory only lasts for a few months before the next wave of devices comes out. Meanwhile Google sits pretty watching the bloodfest.

Sean

I don't understand how they, meaning manufacturers, are keeping this cycle up. Its ludicrous. New "better" android device every other month, are they seriously selling THAT many phones without contracts. There has got to get a point where "most" people who want a smartphone has one and is under some sort of contract. I mean seriously they last 2 years, I couldn't upgrade to a new phone every 4-6 months to the next version of "Droid". I just can not see how long Android makers can keep this up.
Robert (rlopin)

Part 1 of 3
Google's Android is Microsoft's Windows and its smartphones are the PCs. The "bloodfest" model has worked great for decades. When all PCs had basically the same OS (Windows), they competed (and still compete) on razor thin margins with the differentiators being the internal hardware, bundled software, warranties/service, customizability of the build by the end user, upgradeability, physical design, etc.

Android adds the UI differentiators (skin / touch interface) only because Android's native UI is so poor. Windows had that as well at one point (remember BOB?), and still has a specialized UI for dedicated verticals (e.g., Windows Media Center). Apple lost market share because there weren't enough apps compared to Windows. It became specialized originally in the desktop publishing / photography / video editing space because its UI was better than Windows for many years (not so much anymore compared to Windows 7).
Robert (rlopin)

Part 2 of 3
So manufacturers of Window's machines haven't gotten "tired of competing against one another". Actually, that's not entirely true. They have grown wary to some degree as is evidenced by their desire to expand into other OS's (Linux for Netbooks, WebOS and ChromeOS on the horizon). Linux failed on the netbook, however. So they are all just hedging their bets by dipping a toe or two into the alternatives until they see one take off.

One side of me is a die hard "follow the Apple model, control the entire echo system, create a value chain, charge a premium". The other side is a "follow the PC model, license WebOS, make money on the larger volume".
Robert (rlopin)

Part 3 of 3
Is a hybrid solution possible or does it have to be one or the other? As WebOS spreads to other devices (Netbooks, Tablets, TV's, Printer's, Thermostats) the PC model makes more sense since I'd rather have more manufacturers making those other devices instead of just HP (imagine Panasonic, Sony, Vizio all making WebOS televisions).

Perhaps HP/Palm will keep WebOS exclusivity to smartphones, netbooks and printers, but license it out for all other devices where they don't have as strong a foothold. Time will tell. We're rooting for you HP/Palm!

dan pajo

Although teir have been o rumors of this (that I’m aware of), I’m holding out hope that Palm will release multiple form factors in a short time frame. They already did this with the Pre/Pixie launch. I’d like them to launch multiple phones that are all comparable instead of one powerful phone and a little brother. I’d like to see a vertical slider similar to the pre, a horizontal slider, a slab w/virtual keyboard and a candy bar phone like the pixie. Hit all the variations and get market share!
dan pajo

Although teir have been o rumors of this (that I’m aware of), I’m holding out hope that Palm will release multiple form factors in a short time frame. They already did this with the Pre/Pixie launch. I’d like them to launch multiple phones that are all comparable instead of one powerful phone and a little brother. I’d like to see a vertical slider similar to the pre, a horizontal slider, a slab w/virtual keyboard and a candy bar phone like the pixie. Hit all the variations and get market share!
dan pajo

Although teir have been o rumors of this (that I’m aware of), I’m holding out hope that Palm will release multiple form factors in a short time frame. They already did this with the Pre/Pixie launch. I’d like them to launch multiple phones that are all comparable instead of one powerful phone and a little brother. I’d like to see a vertical slider similar to the pre, a horizontal slider, a slab w/virtual keyboard and a candy bar phone like the pixie. Hit all the variations and get market share!
Tom

The trouble is… HP just doesn't have the image nor the reputation as a Shiny White Knight. Let's hope I am wrong on this.
Tom

The trouble is… HP just doesn't have the image nor the reputation as a Shiny White Knight. Let's hope I am wrong on this.
Tom

The trouble is… HP just doesn't have the image nor the reputation as a Shiny White Knight. Let's hope I am wrong on this.
pgovotsos

The only problem I have with this app is the shopping list. I do use a regular shopping program and there’s no way to export the list from WFD. The only way is cut & paste. It’s not practical to go shopping with 2 lists. It’s too easy to miss something & have to go back to get it – big time waster in the store. Otherwise great app. When searching, you can get a LOT of results. Try narrowing your search terms.
pgovotsos

The only problem I have with this app is the shopping list. I do use a regular shopping program and there’s no way to export the list from WFD. The only way is cut & paste. It’s not practical to go shopping with 2 lists. It’s too easy to miss something & have to go back to get it – big time waster in the store. Otherwise great app. When searching, you can get a LOT of results. Try narrowing your search terms.
pgovotsos

The only problem I have with this app is the shopping list. I do use a regular shopping program and there’s no way to export the list from WFD. The only way is cut & paste. It’s not practical to go shopping with 2 lists. It’s too easy to miss something & have to go back to get it – big time waster in the store. Otherwise great app. When searching, you can get a LOT of results. Try narrowing your search terms.
http://www.facebook.com/jayray78 Jaime Lefebvre

I have an iPad. I love it. Especially after jailbreaking. I have a pre+. I love it too. With Homebrew and overclocking, probably the best phone I have ever owned. To be honest though, I don't really care about new hardware. I used to be the guy who wanted one device for everything (GPS, phone, mp3 player, camera, web browser) but now…I don't really care. The only thing that I can say really changed was the addition of the iPad. Its hard to explain. I don't think its magical, but I do love the convenience. I'm almost considering going back to a dumbphone.

mike

thanks for that Jaime. interesting take.

http://www.facebook.com/jayray78 Jaime Lefebvre

I have an iPad. I love it. Especially after jailbreaking. I have a pre+. I love it too. With Homebrew and overclocking, probably the best phone I have ever owned. To be honest though, I don't really care about new hardware. I used to be the guy who wanted one device for everything (GPS, phone, mp3 player, camera, web browser) but now…I don't really care. The only thing that I can say really changed was the addition of the iPad. Its hard to explain. I don't think its magical, but I do love the convenience. I'm almost considering going back to a dumbphone.
http://www.facebook.com/jayray78 Jaime Lefebvre

I have an iPad. I love it. Especially after jailbreaking. I have a pre+. I love it too. With Homebrew and overclocking, probably the best phone I have ever owned. To be honest though, I don't really care about new hardware. I used to be the guy who wanted one device for everything (GPS, phone, mp3 player, camera, web browser) but now…I don't really care. The only thing that I can say really changed was the addition of the iPad. Its hard to explain. I don't think its magical, but I do love the convenience. I'm almost considering going back to a dumbphone.

mike

thanks for that Jaime. interesting take.

We are the champions! Oh wait… nevermind, we aren’t

The sad truth…

On the bright side…

Bottom Line

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