HP is in talks to licence WebOS to mobile makers

SELLER OF EXPENSIVE PRINTER INK HP is talking with companies to potentially licence its WebOS mobile and tablet operating system.

The revelation came from the company's CEO Leo Apotheker, who said, "We are talking to a number of companies. I can share with you that a number of companies have expressed interest. We are continuing our conversations."

Potential partners could include Samsung and HTC, two major mobile phone companies that have given Google's Android operating system a significant boost. These companies also rolled out Windows Phone 7 devices, so they're certainly not limiting themselves to the success of Android and are therefore likely to give WebOS a chance.

According to Bloomberg, Apotkeher refused to say when we might expect a partnership to be announced. It appears that things are still in the early stages, with Apotheker saying that there is "no time pressure" on either party involved in the discussions.

Bloomberg suggested that Samsung might be strongly considering a deal with HP on the basis of rumoured design restrictions coming into place for Android, which was denied by Google. Samsung also said that it planned to continue its strong relationship with Google.

We cannot see that changing anytime soon, particularly when Android is free and devices bearing it are selling so well, as figures recently released by Google have revealed.

It's highly likely that Samsung will want to put out a few products with WebOS, but like Windows Phone 7 HP might be a little too late to the game to offer any real competition to Apple and Google.

Earlier this month Apotheker said that the company planned to offer WebOS to other vendors. He was particularly open to a suggestion of a partnership with HTC, but we imagine he would be happy to sign a deal with any firm interested to help get WebOS off the ground.

The problem with licensing is that HP could end up competing with itself. If, for example, Samsung was to release a WebOS tablet, it could negatively affect sales of the HP Touchpad, which is set to launch in the UK in mid-July. HP would want both to succeed, but there are likely only so many parties interested in WebOS out there at this stage and they will be torn about what to buy. HP will prefer to sell its own hardware over simply licensing the software running on a Samsung or HTC device, and yet it might need those partners to drive initial sales. µ