13 Dec 2011
Hewlett-Packard is set to turn its Palm developed webOS mobile-device operating system into an open-source project.
Although the IT giant plans to continue to be active in the development and support of WebOS, it is handing the operating system over to the community at large.
This means that developers and hardware manufacturers can significantly improve applications with the OS and bring their own versions to market.
The operating system will be offered under an open-source license and will provide a number of benefits to the entire ecosystem of web applications.
In a statement, chief executive officer Meg Whitman said: “WebOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected and scalable.”
She added: “By contributing this innovation, HP unleashes the creativity of the open-source community to advance a new generation of applications and devices.”
WebOS was developed by Palm Inc under its former CEO Jon Rubinstein and HP acquired it in last year’s $1.2 billion purchase of the firm.
Copyright Press Association 2011