Again I’m continuing to rant about webOS. Presuming it won’t die out — and I think webOS is the only reason why HP bought Palm and they’ll do anything to make it a success — HP needs to do something about it to excite the market and the media about the platform. Android is taking over the world, iOS will have its dedicated following and there’s Microsoft pouring billions in Windows Phone 7. So what can HP do? It’s too late to repeat Apple’s success, so a different strategy is needed.
They are now too late to pitch Nokia, what about Samsung? The Korean company is the world’s second largest handset maker with ambitions to become the number 1. An array of devices covering every aspect of the market — from super-low-end feature phones to high-end smartphones — is there, covering every possible price point. In addition, Sammy also has a vast distribution network, rock-solid supply chain, and a whole portfolio of patents. All said it’s the company every platform maker should pitch. And most of them already did so – there are Samsung smartphones running both Android and Windows Phone 7. Which leads me to the point of this article…
HP should convince Samsung to make webOS devices
We’ve already heard HP is thinking to license webOS. If they manage to convince Samsung to jump on board they may actually have a chance to fight Google and Microsoft. What the “webOS world” needs is the webOS-based Galaxy S II. Moreover, the webOS-based Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 8.9 could help the platform as well.
What’s in it for Samsung?
They already have their own platform (bada), though (as I said) that hasn’t stopped from making smartphones running other mobile platforms. The way I see it, they could only benefit from such a partnership with HP taking part of the bill. What Samsung should do is use the existing hardware and simply (it sounds simple) cram new software (webOS) inside. HP could additionally help with marketing and distribution of the new devices, pitching its enterprise clientele.
Let’s face, not many people like the TouchPad. The money HP asks for its first webOS tablet gets you a comparable (if not better) Android-based tablet and even the Apple iPad. As far as I can tell, more tablet hardware options (and more sales) are needed to make webOS appealing to developers.
Samsung’s cool but that’s not enough
If I were at HP I would also be interested to have Asus on my side. What the Taiwanese company is doing is extra-ordinary. Their existing line-up includes the Eee Pad Transformer and that phone turned tablet – Padfone. Those two devices alone could help a LOT. Then there’s Amazon, but I already covered that scenario.
Potential problem
Despite HP aggressively pursuing IT services business, they are still the hardware company and so is Samsung. One could see there’s something wrong when two hardware makers are co-operating. However, I’m sure if both parties agree, a new entity could be formed to deal with webOS, only. This way many of the potential conflicts could be solved…
Now I’m eager to hear your thoughts. Do you have something to add, ask or… whatever? Comments form is all yours.