HP CEO to reveal fate of WebOS in two weeks

Lack of apps not unsurmountable

I will agree that the largest problem with WebOS is a general lack of apps. While there isn't a cacophony of applications coming down the pike from product developers, such as GoToMyPC, and every commercial these days seems to refer to an Android and/or iPhone app, I cannot see that this wouldn't be turned around by a strong investment and commitment from HP.

I see new apps in the App Catalog at least weekly, and a lot of apps by major vendors (CBS Sports, iHeartRadio, Hexage games, Rovio) are still receiving updates. HP needs to consider the existing market of great supporters in both developers and users, and how that can move them forward. Right now there really isn't anything out there to compete well with the iPhone as a vertical platform (yeah, sorry RIM, you still suck,) and Android tablets are as disjoint as Android phones.

I have rarely read negative reviews about WebOS, even with several of its shortcomings I have faith would be corrected with a commitment from HP. I've used a number of friends and customers as test beds for various platforms and all who have touched WebOS have been positive about it.

And I should mentioned the ease at which one can "root" a WebOS device. PreCentral is an excellent resource.

HP is about ready to commit to the Palm curse when it has the opportunity to turn around the platform and be competitive. Having said that, HP needs to realize that, perhaps just for the time being, one will not buy a non-iPad for iPad prices; the eBay going rate for a 32GB unit during the TouchPad fire-sale was around $300. Take this into account when planning a strategy, and realize that selling for a loss is going to require aggressive marketing and a responsive core within the company in order to grab hold and retain a strong base of users and developers.

I use my TouchPad quite a bit, and it is actually an enjoyable experience. I have a few complaints that, again, I can see being taken care of in short order after HP commits to WebOS: no native RDP application (a $.99 one has been made available which works very well, as well as another one more recently,) no native Windows Networking capabilities, the WiFi only TouchPad cannot use the PAN or DUN profile of a paired Bluetooth phone, let me turn off HTML rendering in the email client, and those darned cracks around the speakers. It already offers a PPTP client which allows me to connect to customer networks and use the RDP client to manage, and PreCentral gives me an SSH client to manage my Solaris machines.

I admit I took a gamble when I bought my TouchPad during the blow-out, but I have yet to regret it. And as disappointed as I may be if HP decides to drop WebOS (assuming no one else picks it up and continues support and development,) I don't think I'll regret it for a while to come.

Paris, what the fsck does any of this have to do with her??