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WebOS

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This article is about the mobile/tablet operating system from LG. For the metacomputing term, see Web operating system.

WebOS
WebOS running on an LG Smart TV
DeveloperLG Electronics,
open webOS community contributors,
previously Hewlett-Packard & Palm
Written inC++
OS familyUnix-like
Source modelOpen source
Latest release3.0.5 (tablet)
1.4.5 (Pre, Pre Plus (US), Pixi, and Pixi Plus) 2.1 (Pre Plus (UK) and Pre 2) 2.1.2 (Veer) 2.2.4 (Pre 3) (phone) / 12 January 2012; 13 years ago (2012-01-12)
Marketing targetEmbedded devices
Available inEnglish (US), Spanish, French, Italian and German
PlatformsARM
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux kernel)
Default
user interface		Graphical (Luna)
LicenseApache License
Official websitewww.hpwebos.com
www.openwebosproject.org

WebOS also known as LG WebOS and Open WebOS, is a Linux kernel-based operating system for real smart TVs,[1] and formerly a mobile operating system.[2] Initially developed by Palm, which was acquired by Hewlett-Packard, the operating system was later sold to LG Electronics. Through all iterations of the operating system (Palm, HP and now LG) the official name has been consistently stylized as webOS (lowercase 'w').[3][note 1] Palm launched WebOS in January 2009, then called Palm WebOS. Various versions of WebOS have been featured on several devices, including Pre, Pixi, and Veer phones and the HP TouchPad tablet. The latest version, 3.0.5, was released on January 12, 2012. After abandoning the TouchPad and the proposed sale of the HP Personal Systems Group, HP made the platform open source, and it became Open WebOS. Code specific to the existing devices was released as WebOS Community Edition (CE), with support for the existing HP hardware. Open WebOS includes open source libraries designed to target a wider range of hardware.

In February 2013, LG Electronics acquired webOS from HP to enhance their smart TVs, replacing their previous NetCast platform.[4][5] However HP will still hold on to patents underlying WebOS as well as cloud-based services such as the App Catalog.[6] Despite WebOS now being shaped as an OS for smart televisions, LG has not ruled out the possibility of a WebOS smartphone, the original purpose of the OS.[7]

Background

Logo history
Palm webOS logo
HP WebOS logo
Open webOS logo
File:LG-WebOS.png
LG WebOS logo

Palm launched WebOS in January 2009 as the successor to Palm OS. The first WebOS device was the original Palm Pre, released by Sprint in June 2009. The Palm Pixi followed. Upgraded "Plus" versions of both Pre and Pixi were released on Verizon and AT&T.

In April 2010, HP acquired Palm; WebOS was described as a key asset and motivation for the purchase. The $1.2 billion acquisition finalized in June. HP indicated its intention to develop the WebOS platform for use in multiple new products, including smartphones, tablet computers, and printers.[8]

In February 2011, HP announced that it would use WebOS as the universal platform for all its devices.[9] However, HP also made the decision[10] that the Palm Pre, Palm Pixi, and the "Plus" revisions would not receive over-the-air updates to WebOS 2.0,[11] despite a previous commitment to an upgrade "in coming months".[12] HP announced several new WebOS devices, including the HP Veer and HP Pre 3 smartphones, running WebOS 2.2, and the HP TouchPad, a tablet computer released in July 2011 that runs WebOS 3.0.

In March 2011, HP announced plans for a version of WebOS by the end of 2011 to run within Windows,[13] and to be installed on all HP desktop and notebook computers in 2012.[14] Neither ever materialized, although work had begun on an x86 port around this time involving a team in Fort Collins, Colorado. Work was scrapped later in the year.

In August 2011, HP announced that it was interested in selling its Personal Systems Group, responsible for all of its consumer PC products, including WebOS, and that WebOS device development and production lines would be halted.[15][16][17] It was unclear whether HP would consider licensing of WebOS software to other manufacturers. When HP reduced the price of the Touchpad to $99, the existing inventory quickly sold out.[18]

The HP Pre 3 was launched in select areas of Europe, and U.S.-based units were available only through unofficial channels as both AT&T and Verizon canceled their orders just prior to delivery after Apotheker's announcement.[19] Notably, these U.S. Pre 3 units, having been released through unofficial channels, lacked both warranties and carried no support obligation from HP; as a result parts are nearly impossible to come by. HP announced that it would continue to issue updates for the HP Veer and HP TouchPad, but these updates have failed to materialize for the former, and the latter saw a final, unofficial release called WebOS CE that contained only open-sourced components of WebOS meant for what remained of the developer community rather than a conventional, user-centric update to the operating system.

In December 2011, HP announced it would release WebOS source code in the near future under an open-source license.[20] In August 2012, HP renamed its WebOS unit as "Gram".[21][22]

On February 25, 2013 HP announced that it is licensing WebOS to LG Electronics for use on its web-enabled Smart TVs. LG Electronics is allowed unlimited access to the documentation, source code, developers and all related websites.

Smartphone and tablet features

Screenshot of Palm WebOS Launcher (2009)

The webOS mobile platform introduced features so innovative that some are still in use by Apple, Microsoft and Chrome.[23]

Devices

The Palm Pre, the Palm Pre Plus, the Palm Pixi, and Palm Pixi Plus run WebOS version 1.4.5.[24]

The Pre 2, Pre 3, and the Veer run WebOS version 2.x.x.

The HP TouchPad runs WebOS version 3.0.x.

File:HP TouchPad.jpg
The HP Touchpad tablet runs WebOS. The 'card' multitasking UI is shown.

Multitasking interface

Navigation uses multi-touch gestures on the touchscreen. The interface uses "cards" to manage multitasking and represent apps. The user switches between running applications by a flicking gesture from left and right on the screen. Applications are closed by flicking a "card" up—and "off"—the screen. The application "cards" can be rearranged for organization. In WebOS 2.0 introduced Stacks, where related cards could be "stacked" together.

Over the air updates

The OS could be updated without docking to a PC, instead receiving OS updates over the carrier connection.

Synergy

Palm referred to integration of information from many sources as "Synergy". Users can sign into multiple email accounts from different providers and integrate all of these sources into a single list. Similar capabilities pull together calendars and also instant messages and SMS text messages from multiple sources.[25]

Notifications

The notification area is located on the bottom portion of the screen on phones, and on the top status bar area on tablets.

On phones, when a notification comes in, it slides in from the bottom of the screen. Due to the resizable nature of the Mojo and Enyo application frameworks, the app usually resizes itself to allow unhindered use while the notification is displayed. After the notification slides away, it usually remains as an icon. The user can then tap on the icons to expand them. Notifications can then be dismissed (sliding off the screen), acted upon (tapping), or left alone.

Synchronization

By default, data synchronization uses a cloud-based approach rather than using a desktop sync client, but various third-party sync clients are available.[citation needed] The first version of WebOS shipped with the ability to sync with Apple's iTunes software by masquerading as an Apple device, but this feature was disabled by subsequent software updates from Apple.

Third-party applications

Officially vetted third-party applications are accessible from the device for wireless download by using the App Catalog.[26]

Another source of applications is homebrew software.[27][28] Homebrew applications are not directly supported by HP. Programs used to distribute homebrew WebOS applications include WebOS Quick Install (Java-based for Desktop computers), and Preware (a homebrew WebOS app catalog, which must be sideloaded to install). If software problems do occur after installing homebrew programs, WebOS Doctor (provided by HP) can restore a phone back to factory settings and remove most changes made by homebrew apps and patches.[29]

As WebOS replaced Palm OS, Palm commissioned MotionApps to code and develop an emulator called Classic, to enable backward compatibility to Palm OS applications. This operates with WebOS version 1. Palm OS emulation was discontinued in WebOS version 2.0.[30] MotionApps disengaged from Classic in 2010, citing HP Palm as "disruptive".[31]

Growth and decline

WebOS launched June 6, 2009 on the Palm Pre with 18 available applications. The number of apps grew to 30 by June 17, 2009,[32] with 1 million cumulative downloads by June 27, 2009;[33] 30 official and 31 unofficial apps by July 13, 2009;[34] 41 official apps by August 25, 2009;[35] 356 official apps by November 7, 2009[36] 1,000 official apps by January 1, 2010;[37] 3,000 official apps by July 27, 2010;[38] 4,000 official apps September 29, 2010;[39] and 10,002 official apps by December 9, 2011.

Subsequently, the number of available applications has decreased. Developer attrition accelerated in the latter half of 2011 after retail presence ceased. The number of currently maintained applications on the platform, defined as any application that has been updated within the last six months, is unknown.

Many applications have been pulled from the App Catalog, often precipitously. Examples include the apps for The New York Times and Pandora Radio. The number of remaining functional applications is currently unknown. When factoring out abandoned and/or non-functioning applications that remain in the App Catalog at present, the number is projected to be substantially lower.

Smart TV features

LG has redesigned the UI of webOS, whilst maintaining the card UI as a feature called "Simple switching" between TV apps. The other two features promoted by the company are simple connection (using an animated character to aid the user through setup), and simple discovery.

A new app store was introduced, with apps including NowTV, Twitter, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, CinemaNow, and MLB.tv.[40]

Platform

See also: WebOS version history

Underneath the graphical user interface, WebOS has much in common with mainstream Linux distributions. Versions 1.0 to 2.1 use a patched Linux 2.6.24 kernel.[41]

The list of open-source components used by the different releases of WebOS, as well as the source code of and patches applied to each component, is available at the Palm Open Source web page.[41] This page also serves as a reference listing of the versions of WebOS that have been publicly released.

In 2011, Enyo replaced Mojo, released in June 2009, as the software development kit (SDK).[42]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ This article uses the non-stylized name, with a capital W.

References

  1. ^ Nandagopal Rajan (3 March 2014). "LG's WebOS could actually make people use smart features in televisions". http://indianexpress.com/. Retrieved 10 March 2014. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Open webOS :: Open webOS Architecture". Openwebosproject.org. Retrieved 14 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "HP webOS Developer FAQ". Palm, Inc. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Gram working with LG on an Open webOS TV". webOS Nation. 24 October 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "LG Electronics Acquires webOS from HP to Enhance Smart TV". Press Release: February 25, 2013. Hewlett-Packard. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ "HP offloads Palm WebOS assets to Korea's LG". BBC. Retrieved 26 February 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Nilay Patel (25 February 2013). "HP emerges as big winner in WebOS sale". TheVerge.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Bajarin, Ben (30 June 2011). "HP Is Committed to Its 'WebOS' Platform (and It Should Be)". TechLand. Time. Retrieved 27 November 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "HP snubs Windows, plans to integrate webOS into PCs". Digital Trends. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "Thanks (really!) for the feedback". Hewlett Packard. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "HP Breaks Promise: WebOS 2.0 Upgrades for Palm Pre and Pixi Not Coming". Brighthand.com. Retrieved 13 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ Hardy, Ed (20 November 2010). "HP Commits to WebOS 2.0 Upgrades for All Palm Smartphones". Brighthand.com. Retrieved 27 November 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Hollister, Sean (14 March 2011). "HP TouchPad coming June, WebOS for PC beta by year's end". Engadget. Retrieved 27 November 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Apotheker Seeks to Save HP's 'Lost Soul' With Software Growth". BusinessWeek. Bloomberg. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Developing and Distributing with HP: Developer Program Details". developer.palm.com. Hewlett-Packard Development Company. 2010. Archived from the original on 1 December 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ "HP Confirms Discussions with Autonomy Corporation plc Regarding Possible Business Combination; Makes Other Announcements". BusinessWire. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "HP kills WebOS, spins off PC business to focus on software". AppleInsider. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "HP Web OS -High connectivity, stability and security". Hewlett-Packard Development Company. Retrieved 10 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Fried, Ina (22 August 2011). "HP: WebOS Still Coming to PCs and Printers, Pre3 Launching in "Limited" Markets". AllThingsD. Retrieved 24 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "HP to Contribute WebOS to Open Source". Press Release: December 9, 2011. Hewlitt-Packard. 9 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Hesseldahl, Arik (15 August 2012). "Meet Gram, HP's New Name for the Company Formerly Known as Palm". All Things D. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  22. ^ Musil, Steven (15 August 2012). "HP spins off WebOS business, rebranding it as 'Gram'". CNET. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  23. ^ "Six Clicks: Features introduced in webOS you are using today". Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  24. ^ "Palm International". Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  25. ^ "Palm Unveils All-new WebOS" (Press release). Palm, Inc. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 27 May 2009. {{cite press release}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "HP WebOS official website". Palm, Inc. Retrieved 14 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Precentral (precentral.net). Homebrew Apps
  28. ^ milominderbinder (precentral.net) Jan. 22, 2010. Getting Started: Homebrew Apps, Patches, and Themes with WebOS Quick Install.
  29. ^ "HP WebOS Doctor". HPWebOS.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Derek Kessler. Oct. 25, 2010.WebOS 2.0, MotionApps drops Classic PalmOS Emulator in Palm's lap.
  31. ^ MotionApps. Oct. 25, 2010.Classic's Got a Brand New Home! MotionApps Hands Classic Over to Palm
  32. ^ Barletta, Bryan (18 June 2009). "Palm Pre Prepared For The Spotlight?". Medialets, Inc. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Barletta, Bryan (24 June 2009). "Palm Pre App Catalog Reaches 1 Million Downloads". Medialets, Inc. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Bohn, Dieter (10 July 2009). "Palm Pre Homebrew: 31 Apps. Official App Catalog: 30". PreCentral.net. Smartphone Experts. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Tofel, Kevinn C. (24 August 2009). "Official Palm Pre App List Growing — Word Ace Rocks!". GigaOm. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Bohn, Dieter (7 November 2009). "New in the App Catalog for 7 November 2009". webOS Nation. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ Werlinger, Robert (1 January 2010). "App Catalog Hits 1000 apps". webOS Nation. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ St. Andrie, Ryan (27 July 2010). "App Catalog Breaks Through 3000". webOSroundup. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ Bohn, Dieter (29 September 2010). "webOS surpasses 5,000 apps". webOS Nation. Retrieved 27 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ "LG reveals massive plans for webOS TV platform". The Verge. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ a b "Open Source Packages: HP webOS open source compliance". openwebosproject.org'. Retrieved 28 October 2013. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ Jesse Mendoza (30 March 2010). "HP Rolls Out WebOS 3.0 Beta with Enyo On Board".
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