Bloomberg:HP to spin off PC Business

[jocampo]

For those interested on webOs. We just got confirmation that webOs is a go forward. HP will continue its development and promotion, including patches, hot fixes, etc.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jocampo

For those interested on webOs. We just got confirmation that webOs is a go forward. HP will continue its development and promotion, including patches, hot fixes, etc.

Does that include apps? As is, their app store is pretty lame.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Does that include apps? As is, their app store is pretty lame.

Good question.

The CEO basically confirmed or clarified that HP won't be out of the computer business (computer business includes lot of stuff, software too) So webOs will continue receiving support and I'm assuming will be the same for apps.

Now, apps are coming from developers not HP. So I should say, and this is my opinion, that if HP is not dropping webOs support, developers will keep their motivation up and continue writing code and apps. As a matter of fact, after price drop, ironically, Touchpad is way more popular than it was just 4 weeks ago. It even surpassed iPad sales on Amazon and other online retailers (for those weeks or days I mean)

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Now, apps are coming from developers not HP. So I should say, and this is my opinion, that if HP is not dropping webOs support, developers will keep their motivation up and continue writing code and apps.

Until another supplier announces a tablet based on WebOS, there is a relatively tiny userbase, and no way for that userbase to grow. I can't imagine many developers spending a lot of time doing more than finishing off applications that were almost ready for release. Would you spend time on an app for iOS or Android, or for WebOS?

As a matter of fact, after price drop, ironically, Touchpad is way more popular than it was just 4 weeks ago. It even surpassed iPad sales on Amazon and other online retailers (for those weeks or days I mean)

But these are bargain buyers, who probably aren't as attractive to developers as those paying higher prices for iPads, Tabs, Xooms, etc...

[kjk]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Now, apps are coming from developers not HP. So I should say, and this is my opinion, that if HP is not dropping webOs support, developers will keep their motivation up and continue writing code and apps.

I'm impressed with WebOS (and the dev tools, like WebOS Emulator), but like murraypaul, I'm skeptical how this motivates developers any more than before.

Android is activating 550,000 devices a day. I doubt there are 550,000 Touchpads even manufactured and out there, and with no more coming. The Verve? Pre 3? It just doesn't seem like a sturdy hardware platform right now.

edit: Unless HP brings it back:

Bradley said the company could resurrect HP's short-lived TouchPad tablet computer, which was introduced on July 1 before being terminated only about six weeks later.

"Tablet computing is a segment of the market that's relevant, absolutely," Bradley said.

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by kjk

Android is activating 550,000 devices a day. I doubt there are 550,000 Touchpads even manufactured and out there, and with no more coming. The Verve? Pre 3? It just doesn't seem like a sturdy hardware platform right now.

Curious... where does the 550,000 per day come from... seems a very large number... and I say this as an Android smartphone and tablet user...

[kjk]

Originally Posted by elcreative

Curious... where does the 550,000 per day come from... seems a very large number... and I say this as an Android smartphone and tablet user...

Larry Page on Google's Q2 2011 earnings call.

[molman]

Cripes. Thought this thread would be about HP and I find it filled with posts about Apple. Does RockdaMan work for Apple by any chance?

Whilst unlike some editorials I don't see HP selling (spinning?) off the PSG as entirely a dumb move if a services company is what they wish to be, where this story is interesting is the whole bungled delivery and WebOS exit (or not if kjk's article bears fruit). It's hard to have faith in a transition after this display.

It's a tech graveyard HP - Compaq, DEC, Palm..

[afa]

I apologize in advance, but I have to say a few things. Last time, I swear!

Originally Posted by readingglasses

Good to see you don't just accept opinion as fact. Though you seem to be looking to do so and just couldn't go that far with my pompous gas baggery.

This part had me confused. What makes you think I was "looking to" accept opinion as fact?

That makes me suspect you are an apple fan

Hardly. I like some of their products (iMac, iPod, iPhone), think some are quite good but nothing particularly special (the MacBook/MacBook Pro), some are rather little more than flash and pzazz (MacBook Air, because I can't imagine personally wanting a device that is more limited yet more expensive than a laptop) and some might be good, but serve absolutely no purpose in my life that would make me buy one (iPad). I'm largely dispassionate towards the rest.

and your defense of apple as a company that makes ugly hardware that is easily upgradeable and great on spec is a little baffling, <snip> Maybe the upgradeability is so easy, that they upgrade to the max for the short life of the computer.

Your post from this point on is amusing. I like how you used a little play on words to pretend that I disagreed with *everything* you said, as opposed to the two or three parts. Good use of tongue-in-cheek (hopefully the correct cheeks...). Alternatively, perhaps you're just crazier than I thought. Either way, I approve.

Originally Posted by readingglasses

I'm not sure where you're coming from, though. What could you possibly care so much if someone is bashing apple products somewhere?

Well, now that I've calmed down - It's mostly that I get irritated because far too many people on these forums make, as I said, "grand, sweeping statements" about companies. It's a pet peeve, I guess. I mean, they're corporations. Non-living, uncaring, amoral entities whose primary focus is to maximise profit and increase value for their shareholders. How can anyone hate (or even love) a corporation to such an extent that they would dismiss their perfectly fine consumers as somehow a lesser people?

Conveniently, it's always large and successful corporations that are the target of such ire, which suggests to me a motive less pure than objective criticism. How come no one is as passionate about being 'against' a small start-up? Am I really supposed to believe that all small companies are somehow 'good'? A lot of people, I think, fancy themselves as some sort of 21st Century Rebel. In the 60s and 70s it was cool to be anti-establishment, and now that has carried over to technology companies as they have grown exponentially and become increasingly consumer-oriented. Strange, that. Somehow I always thought rebels and tech geeks were mutually exclusive, but I guess I was wrong. I suppose it at least tells us the world is advancing.

In any case, it's all good. I must say I liked your reply. I actually regretted writing my initial post (which went against my standard "never post anything when you're pissed" rule of thumb for forumming) as I didn't want to get into a needless flame war. Glad to see you didn't take my (inadvertent) bait. Good on you.

Here's some Karma for that. You've been palindromed!

[afa]

Originally Posted by jocampo

As a matter of fact, after price drop, ironically, Touchpad is way more popular than it was just 4 weeks ago. It even surpassed iPad sales on Amazon and other online retailers (for those weeks or days I mean)

I agree with what murraypaul said. The reason for the TouchPad's too-little-too-late success is because of the fire sale price drop. At a price point anywhere close to iPad and its rivals, I doubt the TouchPad -- even if it had been given more time -- would have been anything more than a niche, 'alternative' choice to the iPad and mountain of Android devices.

But drop the price to $99, and all of a sudden it's worth it. Maybe you don't like the TouchPad enough to choose it over the others, but for under a 'Benjamin'* it's easily the best value-for-money tablet.




* I feel so American!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by afa

Here's some Karma for that. You've been palindromed!

You've been primed

Karma: 1001173

[afa]

Woah! I've crossed the Million Milestone! This calls for a celebration.

Everyone who reads this is invited. Just hop on a plane to some country other than your own, and I'll meet you there in a bit.

[readingglasses]

Originally Posted by afa

Conveniently, it's always large and successful corporations that are the target of such ire, which suggests to me a motive less pure than objective criticism. How come no one is as passionate about being 'against' a small start-up? Am I really supposed to believe that all small companies are somehow 'good'? A lot of people, I think, fancy themselves as some sort of 21st Century Rebel.

American politics. An attempt to rebel against a system they can't beat. Constant message that anyone who makes less than a million a year is a loser. Consumerism above meaning. Really, you have to live here to feel it.

Also, an effort at critical thinking towards seductive marketing. Ads for big companies are all about 2 things: their product will "open your horizons" in a way you could never do on your own and they are eco-friendly and moral companies who are "looking out for you".
Of course that is BS. and of course, any little company that has enough money tries to present their service in the same way. It's just that people don't see the messages from little guys as much as from big guys, so they think the little guys are just "doing their thing" while big guys seem to make an easy profit.

A cauldron of resentments, for reasons right and wrong.

But don't let that spoil your celebrations, life is too short.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by afa

But drop the price to $99, and all of a sudden it's worth it. Maybe you don't like the TouchPad enough to choose it over the others, but for under a 'Benjamin'* it's easily the best value-for-money tablet.

If I'd seen one in the shops at that price I'd have got one, and I have no use for it at all, having big and small screen tablets already!

[kjk]

More HP Touchpads on the way!

Despite announcing an end to manufacturing webOS hardware, we have decided to produce one last run of TouchPads to meet unfulfilled demand. We don’t know exactly when these units will be available or how many we’ll get, and we can’t promise we’ll have enough for everyone. We do know that it will be at least a few weeks before you can purchase. See more information in the updated FAQs below.