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Richard Kerris leaves HP, Joins Nokia

Oct 282011

Richard Kerris, the man responsible to glue HP and developers together (read as Vice president, Worldwide Developer Relations for webOS) has left HP to pursue other interests (read as a job opportunity at Nokia).

HP quotes

Richard Kerris, vice president, Worldwide Developer Relations for webOS, has decided to leave HP to pursue an opportunity outside of the company, effective immediately. We are grateful for his service and contributions he has made to HP and the webOS community.

Nine months was the time that Kerris spent with HP. The jump from the burning platform was inevitable, but no wise man jumps from one burning platform to another.

Marco Argenti, Nokia SVP of Developer and Marketplace, tweets

Great people are what makes the difference, always. I’m excited to welcome Richard Kerris in my team as Global Head of Developer Relations.

Bang…!!! The job description remains the same at Nokia, although more challenging, as Nokia is hell bent on pissing off it’s developers (Nokia World Hackathon…hint…hint).

Welcome to the jungle Kerris, is all we have to say…!!

Update time–webOS updated to 3.0.4

News 2 Responses »

Oct 192011

The already dead webOS is officially on life support. According to the Palm Blog

A new over-the-air update for HP Touchpad is now available. (For details about how over-the-air updates work, click here.)

Some of the new functionality you’ll find in the new update include:

A new Camera app for photos and video

The ability to pair non-webOS phones to your Touchpad, so you can answer calls on your Touchpad. Pairing with non-webOS Bluetooth keyboards has also been streamlined.

Support for OGG Vorbis music files

Online/offline messaging status support.

In addition to new features, you’ll also experience better performance, user interface improvements, and other enhancements such as support for accelerometer events in Adobe Flash Player, and more robust Skype video calling.

The complete changelog can be found here. This update is a sigh of relief to all those buyers who spent their hard earned money (including the lucky ones who got their Touchpads for $100) and bought a device that was killed days later.

HP launches investigation on Touchpads shipped with Android

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Oct 102011

After a few Touchpad owners were surprised to find Android loaded on their supposed-to-be-webOS-loaded Touchpads, the developers got in touch with HP to get the source code of the Android version shipped.

According to CMtouchpad

HP distributed modified Linux kernel as part of the Android that shipped on at least three units (location is known, users requested the source from HP – confirmed).
This is a clear GPL violation on HP part, so hopefully we can pursue on this.

There is a detailed discussion on this issue which is a serious blot on HP’s so called stringent quality control. HP has launched an investigation to get to the root of this blunder.

HP Palm doesn’t support Android and has not authorized anyone to provide consumers with the Android OS for Touchpad, either separately or loaded on the device. Additionally, anyone who loads Android on their Touchpad voids their warranty.

When the matter was pursued by GPL advocates, the following email was sent by Oleg Drokin to HP

That is not my question.
It seems HP have distributed copies of Linux Kernel software on some units shipped with Android operating system.
I hold a partial copyright to that software and my code is included in the resultant binary.
This Linux kernel version included (and I got a copy of the binary to verify) is significantly different from the kernel sources distributed by HP.

I am in contact with several persons that have received this Android OS from HP on their new Touchpad tablets and requested the source.
As such we are asking HP to provide the source of the aforementioned Linux kernel software to fulfill
HP’s legal obligations under GPL license.

Thanks.

In response to the ongoing hubbub, HP’s Director of Open Source Program Office, Phil Robb replied,

It’s nice to meet you. I too am an open source advocate.

Let me begin by saying that HP is a proud and committed member of the open source community, and the Linux development community in particular. We take our participation and obligation to this community, and the licenses associated with its software very seriously.

As for the Touchpad units that have been allegedly purchased with a version of Android on them, we have begun an internal investigation on this within HP. We have confirmed that HP never authorized the distribution of any version of Android on the HP Touchpad. In addition, from a review of our manufacturing process, we believe that all Touchpad units have been shipped out of manufacturing with the webOS operating system only, and that no Touchpad units were shipped with Android, even by mistake. Hence, we presently believe that some person or persons unknown may have facilitated the delivery of these Android-based units strictly against the policy and authorization of HP.

Regarding your specific request for source code below, I must decline at the present time. HP has never authorized the distribution of any binaries for Android in association with the HP Touchpad. Therefore, HP is not under any license obligation to provide any corresponding Android source code to you. Hopefully, this doesn’t come across too harsh. As always, any member of the public can access all open source software source code distributions and other open source software licensing information for the HP webOS software products at any time at http://opensource.palm.com/.

For those of you in the development community actively working to port Android to the Touchpad, we applaud your efforts. HP has a strong commitment to your freedoms as a developer and technology enthusiast. It is your device and you can do with it what you want. If you want to put Android on your Touchpad, or Meego, or one of the altered webOS kernels from webOSInternals.org, you are welcome to do so (at your own risk of course). While HP supports your freedom to do this, we are not part of the community behind such efforts. HP believes that the version of webOS that we deliver on the Touchpad is a superior user experience for our customers, and the best development platform for today’s and tomorrow’s mobile applications and services. WebOS is where HP spends its development and support efforts.

Thank you very much for bringing this matter to our attention. As you know, it is a significant detriment to HP and HP’s participation in and relationship with the open source community to have non-authorized Android software delivered on HP Touchpad devices. If you can provide any information that will help us track down who is providing these unauthorized Touchpads and where they might be coming from, I would greatly appreciate it.

Best regards,

Phil.

Now logically, if the issue was found in any Touchpads before they left the distributors/retailers, the implications could be very serious because it is HP’s duty to check on everything including the licensing.

This would be very hard to prove that HP has shipped the devices with Android pre-installed. I am no legal expert but this seems the a case of foul play for sure.

Stay tuned for more

Source

Wi-Fi only Touchpad Go clears FCC certification criteria

News No Responses »

Oct 072011

It is both shameful and somewhat hilarious that the tablet that was killed by its parents sometimes back clears the FCC certification.

While the Wi-Fi only Touchpad Go has cleared the FCC certification, the possibility of it seeing the world are as remote as someone finding a chupacabra.

We wonder why the FCC chose to pass it despite the fact that no one would be producing it.

Source

PalmUnlocker’s Pre 3 Unlocker now available for $49

News No Responses »

Sep 262011

Everyone is aware that HP has liquidated all the stock of the webOS devices. It has been running across the net that around 10,000 Pre 3 phones had been manufactured and locked to AT&T.

If someone can get their hands on these phones, or any unlocked phones, they might well find an unlocker handy.

You can find an unlocker at http://www.palmunlocker.com/products/unlock-hp-pre-3.

The people behind the unlocker boast that it can unlock any phone.

Nothing much to add here…!!

Leo Apotheker’s Goodbye memo to HP employees

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Sep 262011

Leo Apotheker, aka the wrecker of our beloved webOS, as we all know, has been told to step down from the position of CEO. Customarily, every CEO writes a memo to all the employees before using his access card the last time.

Here is Leo’s goodbye memo

TO: All HP Employees
FROM: Léo Apotheker

Dear HP Employees:

This afternoon, HP issued a press release announcing my resignation as president and CEO, positions I have held with great honor this past year. Meg Whitman will assume the role of president and CEO.

As you know, Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution and has served HP well as a member of the board for the past eight months. Meg will be supported by a broad and deep management team, and I have the utmost confidence that HP will succeed in executing its strategic evolution.

On a personal level, I cannot begin to express the admiration I have for all of you – and what you have accomplished together. Over the past year, we were tasked with developing a strategic vision for HP and I know we have made important contributions to the company’s future.

Your efforts on behalf of HP and your dedication to our customers have inspired me – and I am confident that HP has a bright future because of the talented people that come to work here every day. Thank you for your commitment to HP and for your dedication in serving HP’s customers and partners. It has been a tremendous honor and a pleasure to work with you here at HP.

Sincerely,

Léo Apotheker

Well, that is a brisk one.

Gartner lowers forecast for Android tablets shipments

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Sep 252011

Gartner, the analyst firm, has lowered it’s forecast for the number of Android tablets shipped since it’s last prediction in the previous quarter. The projection has been lowered by as much as 28%.

The global media tablet sales to end users are to amount to 63.6 million units this year, which is a staggering 261.4% increase from 2010 sales of 17.6 million.

Android tablets are forecast to ship 11 million units in 2011, accounting for 17.3 percent of total sales – up only slightly from Android’s 2010 market share of 14.3 percent.

According to Gartner’s Carolina Milanesi

Google will address the fragmentation of Android across smartphone and tablet form factors within the next Android release [the Ice Cream Sandwich], which we expect to see in the fourth quarter of 2011…

…“Android can count on strong support from key OEMs, and has a sizeable developer community.

She also commented on the holistic picture

…We expect Apple to maintain a market share lead throughout our forecast period by commanding more than 50 percent of the market until 2014…

…This is because Apple delivers a superior and unified user experience across its hardware, software and services. Unless competitors can respond with a similar approach, challenges to Apple’s position will be minimal.

The data released by Gartner is as follows.

Worldwide Sales of Media Tablets to End Users by OS (Thousands of Units, September 2011)

The demand for MeeGo anad webOS is clearly out of proportions (pun intended). And QNX is also predicted not to sell well, adding to the woes of the already troubled RIM.

Since the demand for the tablets is very high, this makes me think about the future of laptops, netbooks and desktops.

Source: Gartner

It’s official, Meg Whitman replaces Leo Apotheker

News No Responses »

Sep 232011

It’s official, Meg Whitman has replaced Leo Apotheker as the CEO of HP. Apotheker, as we had reported yesterday, was heading a diseased organization that was his own creation.

Whitman is the legend behind eBay’s success. We have the Press release from HP for your eyes only.

HP Names Meg Whitman President and Chief Executive Officer

Ray Lane appointed executive chairman;

Léo Apotheker steps down as president, chief executive officer and director

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 – HP today announced that its board of directors has appointed Meg Whitman as president and chief executive officer.

In addition, Ray Lane has moved from non-executive chairman to executive chairman of the board of directors, and the board intends to appoint a lead independent director promptly. These leadership appointments are effective immediately and follow the decision that Léo Apotheker step down as president and chief executive officer and resign as a director of the company.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Meg Whitman’s caliber and experience step up to lead HP,” said Lane. “We are at a critical moment and we need renewed leadership to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution. She is a strong communicator who is customer focused with deep leadership capabilities. Furthermore, as a member of HP’s board of directors for the past eight months, Meg has a solid understanding of our products and markets.”
Whitman said, “I am honored and excited to lead HP. I believe HP matters – it matters to Silicon Valley, California, the country and the world.”

Speaking on behalf of the board, Lane said, “We very much appreciate Léo’s efforts and his service to HP since his appointment last year. The board believes that the job of the HP CEO now requires additional attributes to successfully execute on the company’s strategy. Meg Whitman has the right operational and communication skills and leadership abilities to deliver improved execution and financial performance.”

Financial analyst conference call details

HP will host an audio webcast for financial analysts and stockholders to
discuss today’s announcement. Details are below:

When: Sept. 22, 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET

URL: www.hp.com/investor/briefing

It is recommended that attendees dial in 15 minutes early to avoid
registration delays.

Nothing much to add here…!!

HP looking for new CEO

News No Responses »

Sep 222011

Leo Apotheker is better known as the man who drove HP right down the toilet. Since his arrival in October 2010, things have went from bad to worse. Apotheker who was previously the CEO of SAP, was appointed HP CEO while the hardware giant was looking towards software and cloud for future growth.

HP bought Palm in the hope of turning webOS into a profitable platform, but failed miserably to do so and it had to sell the remaining TouchPads at half the price, not to forget the recent firing of scores of developers and engineers.

Mobile Business Briefing reports

HP’s board is rumoured to be weighing up the possibility of replacing its current CEO, Léo Apotheker, with former eBay chief Meg Whitman, according to Bloomberg and Reuters sources.

The sources said Whitman – who successfully built up eBay’s business during her time there – is being considered to fill the CEO role on a temporary or permanent basis.

Since the time the news (or rumor) went public, HP saw a relief in its share prices which increased by 7%. The same share prices had dropped to more than 50% since the arrival of Leo Apotheker. The news also added US$3 billion to HP’s market value.

HP to lay off more webOS people

News No Responses »

Sep 212011

After waving goodbye to the webOS platform, HP has decided to cut more jobs pertaining to webOS development.

Mobile Business Briefing reports

HP announced in August that it would stop offering devices powered by webOS, and was “exploring strategic alternatives” for the device software platform. HP acquired webOS – which powered its short-lived TouchPad tablet – when it bought Palm in 2010 but has said it plans to shut down its mobile devices business during its fiscal fourth quarter which ends on 31 October.

This sure is a bad news for developers and engineers alike. The silver lining here is that the developers would now be a soft target for Apple and Google.

HP to refund launch price Touchpad and Pre3 buyers

News No Responses »

Sep 152011

Before the Touchpad and the Pre3 were “literally” liquidated by HP, there were some people who believed in the devices and bought the devices at higher prices. Those poor sould had no idea that HP was about to announce the biggest failure in the mobile space by offering the devices at massively reduced prices.

According to Channel Register

The folks in Palo Alto are offering to honour the difference between the initial buy price and the end-of-life price on the three fondleslabs and the smartphone if the devices were activated within their webOS account before 23 August.

This scheme is not valid for HP employees who bought the devices at already discounted rates.

Source

HP tells devs not to worry, WebOS will live

Development, Public Relations, WebOS News No Responses »

Aug 212011

So we received an email from HP saying that the devs need not worry as everything is in place….except the Hardware.

Dear webOS developer:

We have opened the next chapter for webOS, and we understand that you must have many questions. Yesterday we announced that we will focus on the future of webOS as a software platform but we will no longer be producing webOS devices. While this was a difficult decision, it’s one that will strengthen our ability to focus on further innovating with webOS as we forge our path forward. Throughout this journey, our developers will continue to be a vital part of the future of webOS.

We will continue to support, innovate and develop the webOS App Catalog. Our intent is to enhance our merchandising and presentation of your great products and to continue to build our webOS app ecosystem.

As many of you are aware, we are currently scheduled to hold many developer events around the world. We are planning to continue with these events, however, due to the recent announcements; the nature of them will change. These updates will be posted on our events registration site this coming week. We are eager to present to you the updated strategy for webOS and to hear your feedback.

Lastly, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for your ongoing support for webOS and the many teams responsible for it here at HP. This is a particularly dynamic time in the mobile industry and sometimes tough decisions need to be made about not only what to do, but also what not to do. This has been one of those times. Together with our great webOS developer community, we are confident that we will meet the challenges ahead and build momentum for optimal success.

We will be communicating with you frequently over the next few weeks and we look forward to hearing from you throughout this process.

Thanks for your support

Richard Kerris
VP webOS Developer Relations

Well HP, who do you think, would be interested in raising an infant who was born very late and whose parents left him to rot and die, hoping that someone will be it’s foster parent??

What do you think??

Image courtesy

When HP employees seek revenge

Funny Stuff No Responses »

Aug 212011

When we told you that HP will be resting the WebOS to peace, we never even imagined how the employees would backfire.

Well, a video circulating on Youtube certainly lends our imagination some ground. And if PreCentral is to be believed, a disgruntled employee uploaded a video to HP’s website where the TouchPad overview videos sed to sit.

What the lady says before peanuts is “Thoda Sa” which means “A little only”, intending all the pun that is to be there in this ironic situation.

Though this video is funny, but it does show the dark side. All those brilliant minds who strived day and night tirelessly to create the hardware will be handed the pink slip soon. Now that is sad.

Pre3 to hit Germany for €349

News No Responses »

Aug 162011

Great news Europe…!! You will be getting the Pre3 quite soon.

hp pre3 germany Pre3 to hit Germany for €349

Pre3 on German HP site

HP Germany’s online store has listed an unlocked Pre3 at a price of €349 with shipping expected within a couple of weeks.

HP Germany also correctly lists the Pre3’s specifications – there’s no 1.2GHz dual-core processor, even if Orange UK’s support page also bungled the copying. There’s really not much new here apart from the price and shipment timeframe, but if it’s anything like the umpteen dozen previous postings of release date and pricing, we won’t put too much faith in it until we see it in a press release. Sadly, we can at least say that the Pre3 is not coming to O2 Germany, which we sure smarts for many a Germany webOS fan.

What’s the icing on the cake is that the devs are too giving their best shots at webOS apps. So it is quite evident that the coming quarters would be a boon for the webOS device family.

via, image credit

Older Entries Newer Entries

TamsPalm – the Palm OS / web OS Blog

Richard Kerris leaves HP, Joins Nokia

Update time–webOS updated to 3.0.4

HP launches investigation on Touchpads shipped with Android

Wi-Fi only Touchpad Go clears FCC certification criteria

PalmUnlocker’s Pre 3 Unlocker now available for $49

Leo Apotheker’s Goodbye memo to HP employees

Gartner lowers forecast for Android tablets shipments

It’s official, Meg Whitman replaces Leo Apotheker

HP looking for new CEO

HP to lay off more webOS people

HP to refund launch price Touchpad and Pre3 buyers

HP tells devs not to worry, WebOS will live

When HP employees seek revenge

Pre3 to hit Germany for €349

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