Remember those comments that HP would be open to licensing its webOS operating system? HP CEO Leo Apotheker confirmed in an interview that those hints have progressed to talks with a number of interested companies. He said, “I can share with you that a number of companies have expressed interest. We are continuing our conversations,” but provided little additional information.
Citing “three people with knowledge of the discussions,” Bloomberg named Samsung as one of the interested companies. The move is motivated by rumours that Google will restrict modifications to its Android mobile operating system (something hinted at in the past). Neither HP nor Samsung would confirm that the two are talking about webOS though.
ThisIsMyNext.com reached out to Jon Rubinstein, former Palm CEO and current HP executive, who added, “If someone wants to really invest, and potentially help develop webOS, we’re interested in talking to them.” Rubinstein also made it clear that HP is looking for someone to commit to webOS as their primary choice: “If it was the primary one they were going to do and they were going to add real value back into the ecosystem, and ‘oh by the way’ they were doing some Android or Microsoft stuff, of course we’d consider it – but if we’re going to be one of 5 or 6 OSs, it’s hard to see – it wouldn’t make any sense.” The comment suggests that companies such as HTC would be out given their approach of offering devices powered by different operating systems.