Tag Archives: webOS

LG’s smart TVs will stream Google Play movies this month

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Who said that TVs with Google Play Movies & TV had to be running Android? Certainly not LG. It just announced that many of its recent smart TVs (including both webOS- and NetCast-based models) will offer Google Play streaming this month. Whi...

Audi displays LG’s Open webOS Smartwatch in sync with its Concept Car at CES 2015

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When you gaze at the most hottest and miraculous of smartwatches at the CES 2015 you realize for the first time that it comes courtesy of none other than LG. And Life’s Good indeed if you have it...

LG Has a webOS Smartwatch in the Works

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LG webOS Smartwatch 01

Samsung must have inspired their fellow Korean manufacturer to think that there’s life beyond Android and that wearables don’t necessarily have to rely on Google’s mobile OS. That or maybe LG simply wants to add some diversity to its range of wearables.

Once a mobile operating system and then an OS for smart TVs, the Palm-developed and HP-owned webOS, which is now the property of LG, is ready to make a comeback on mobile devices, but this time on wearables. It’s not like any of you thought that this OS would crawl back to its hole and die… or did you?

LG gave signs at CES 2014 that webOS is still alive and kicking when it showcased a new smart TV running it. The Bean Bird that has become somewhat of a mascot of LG’s webOS TVs has been recently spotted on a developer website teasing the LG webOS smartwatch. Judging by the stylized classically designed analog timepiece that the Bean Bird is carrying on its back, people should probably conclude that the next LG smartwatch will feature a circular face, much like the G Watch R, the Android Wear device that will go on sale later this month.

All is nice and great, but companies who refuse to cut the life support of old (and most probably obsolete) operating systems, or who keep developing new ones seem to forget a very important detail: app developers end up working extra hours in order to ensure compatibility with their OS. Instead of keeping it simple, LG, Samsung and many others think that they can develop a new operating system that’s different.

With LG webOS smartwatches will probably come webOS smartphones, if the Korean manufacturer wants to limit compatibility to their own brand. That’s something that Chinese companies will try and succeed to disrupt, as their wearables are compatible with a wider range of mobile devices. That is, unless China replaces current popular operating systems with its own home-grown OS, which is due for launch this month.

Right after the the South Korean tech giant discovered that The Verge covered this story, they pulled the developer site, with the most probable intention to launch it again just before unveiling the wearable officially.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about LG Lifeband Touch and webOS TV, which were leaked just before their official launch at CES 2014, and the LG Wine Smart Android flip phone.

HP Sold Palm, iPaq, Bitfone and a Few Other Patents to Qualcomm

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Qualcomm Buys Palm, iPaq and other 2,400 Patents and Patent Applications from HP

The manufacturer of the Snapdragon chipsets, which power most Android devices, has increased its portfolio by buying 1,400 US patents and patent applications, as well as 1,000 patents and patent applications abroad from HP.

Just when everyone thought that Palm is dead, buried and smelling putridly, Hewlett Packard’s iconic PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) makes a comeback as part of a major patent sale. Some have already started claiming that Qualcomm wants to bring PDAs back, but since smartphones and tablets are so prevalent, how would that make any sense?

Another theory is that Qualcomm will offer patent protection to any OEMs who buy their chipsets. This would keep such companies as HTC, LG and Samsung away from getting sued by Apple and Nokia all the time. Beefing up on key patents was a move that HP themselves did back in 2010, when they purchased Palm for $1.2 billion. From Qualcomm’s viewpoint, this huge portfolio of patents and patent applications will represent a major selling point for their chipsets.

LG has launched a gigantic smart TV running webOS at CES 2014, and since that new line of tellies uses HP and Palm patents, it will be interesting to see how LG interacts with Qualcomm. LG bought the rights to webOS from HP, but the deal did not include any of the patents that are now owned by Qualcomm.

In an interview with The Verge, an HP spokesperson mentioned that “This does not change our strategy with respect to mobile, and we will retain a license to these patents.” In other words, don’t be surprised if you see a Palm or iPaq device coming from HP in the near future, as retaining the licenses would allow them to do that.

I remember owning a Palm Treo 680 back in 2008, and saying that by today’s standards that was a relic would be an understatement. Over time, I also go my mittens on iPaq devices and other PDAs made by HP, and seeing these making a comeback would be somehow unsettling. HP’s smartphones and PDAs made history at that time, but I’m not sure that bringing back devices under those name would have a major impact on people.

Things are still uncertain as to how Qualcomm will use all these patents, but moving from chipsets to whole mobile devices wouldn’t be easy for them. On the other hand, the patents would work as a defense mechanism, anyway.

If you liked this post, please check the Google Chromebook 11 made by HP that charges over microUSB and the HP Slate 21.

CES 2014 in Las Vegas Highlights: webOS from LG Electronics

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The much awaited Consumer Electronics Show (CES), also known as International CES is just only a few days away from now. We have been eagerly waiting for this event since last and can’t wait anymore...
    






From Wearables And Drones To Curved Smartphones And Purple-Hued Gadgets, CES 2014 Showcases What’s Next In Tech

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Wearables. Drones. 4K TVs. Home automation systems. Kids’ tablets. Connected cars. Connected ovens. Curved screens. Wireless everything. Smart bikes. And lots and lots of purple, or rather a version...