With webOS’ journey to open source set to reach its destination next month, it was unclear what would happen next to HP’s webOS Global Business Unit. It now appears that HP will launch it as a new company called GRAM likely under current leader Martin Risau.
webOS employees were introduced to the new company at an event last week. Gone is any suggestion that there could be future consumer devices powered by webOS. Instead, the company will focus “software, User Experience, Cloud, engineering and partnering.”
What specific offerings GRAM will have remains to be seen though. Employees can talk about the new company but not much more:
Stealth mode. We are an incubation company, and we are trusting you to keep this company name and product under the radar to give it time to take root and grow. You can wear the logo, help build the momentum of the new identity, talk to your families and friends about it. If someone from the outside asks, you can say, “GRAM is a new company. We are in stealth mode on our product offering.
GRAM will at least initially be funded by HP. How long that arrangement will remain in place remains to be seen though and there appears to be nothing to prevent GRAM from seeking alternative funding sources in the future.
No details were given as to exactly when GRAM will formally launch. It could happen quite soon, possibly as early as the end of next month.
Read more: webOS Nation