Facebook + webOS = Potential Android Killer (HPQ) (GOOG)
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No matter how you slice it, webOS is a valuable property whether Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) wants it or not. With Hewlett-Packard's announcement that it would spin off it's Personal System Group (PSG) last week, Digitimes analyzed some possibilities for webOS moving forward.
What about Facebook? Recently, Facebook announced the acquisition of Snaptu in an effort to gain a stronger foothold in developing it's own mobile operating system. Snaptu provides a solution for developing, deploying and maintaining online services, particularly on mobile phones. With webOS already implemented in many devices globally, why wouldn't Facebook simply make a move to acquire, and then modify, an already established OS?
Facebook is also working with HTC to develop Facebook-specific smartphones. Two devices currently offered by HTC include the Salsa, Status, and Chacha (no word on when the Tango and Pasodoble will appear. The Fox Trot and Sock Hop are already in the works, supposedly with sliding QWERTY keyboards and enticing glares). The phones include a dedicated Facebook button on the bottom so accessing Facebook's mobile app won't take too long.
Facebook hasn't launched an app for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad due to head-butting over which company will get to control account information. However, Facebook has one of the most popular iPhone apps, regardless of carrier. Digitimes concludes that Facebook is encouraging developers to work with HTML5 "and intended to be released free from the control of vendor's application stores."
With webOS, Facebook could develop it's own mobile OS into a fierce Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android competitor. Similar to Google, Facebook derives the lions share of its profit from advertising, meaning it would be able to offer its own mobile OS to vendors for free.
Further, Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) is allegedly revamping it's lineup with QNX's operating system, which is expected to debut in mid-2012 (hopefully).
HTC or Samsung may be eying webOS as well, breaking them from the chains of Android. Worst case is the two acquire webOS for its patents, which would add an extra layer of protection to a litigious mobile OS environment. HTC's CEO Peter Chou recently lauded the acquisition of Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI) by Google, saying it would be a plus for his company as well with Google being able to protect them better with their new patent acquisitions.
Finally, Hewlett-Packard is likely to continue supporting webOS even if it cannot find a buyer. The chances of HP continuing to develop webOS, however, are slim.
What about Facebook? Recently, Facebook announced the acquisition of Snaptu in an effort to gain a stronger foothold in developing it's own mobile operating system. Snaptu provides a solution for developing, deploying and maintaining online services, particularly on mobile phones. With webOS already implemented in many devices globally, why wouldn't Facebook simply make a move to acquire, and then modify, an already established OS?
Facebook is also working with HTC to develop Facebook-specific smartphones. Two devices currently offered by HTC include the Salsa, Status, and Chacha (no word on when the Tango and Pasodoble will appear. The Fox Trot and Sock Hop are already in the works, supposedly with sliding QWERTY keyboards and enticing glares). The phones include a dedicated Facebook button on the bottom so accessing Facebook's mobile app won't take too long.
Facebook hasn't launched an app for Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) iPad due to head-butting over which company will get to control account information. However, Facebook has one of the most popular iPhone apps, regardless of carrier. Digitimes concludes that Facebook is encouraging developers to work with HTML5 "and intended to be released free from the control of vendor's application stores."
With webOS, Facebook could develop it's own mobile OS into a fierce Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android competitor. Similar to Google, Facebook derives the lions share of its profit from advertising, meaning it would be able to offer its own mobile OS to vendors for free.
Further, Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) is allegedly revamping it's lineup with QNX's operating system, which is expected to debut in mid-2012 (hopefully).
HTC or Samsung may be eying webOS as well, breaking them from the chains of Android. Worst case is the two acquire webOS for its patents, which would add an extra layer of protection to a litigious mobile OS environment. HTC's CEO Peter Chou recently lauded the acquisition of Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI) by Google, saying it would be a plus for his company as well with Google being able to protect them better with their new patent acquisitions.
Finally, Hewlett-Packard is likely to continue supporting webOS even if it cannot find a buyer. The chances of HP continuing to develop webOS, however, are slim.
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