webOS

webOS
Name	webOS
Developer	Palm, Inc., Hewlett-Packard, LG Electronics
Source model	Open source
Released	06 June 2009
Marketing target	Smartphones, Smart TVs, Smartwatches
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux)
License	Apache License 2.0

webOS. It is a multitasking operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc. for its line of smartphones, first unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2009. The platform was later acquired by Hewlett-Packard and is now owned and developed by LG Electronics for its range of smart devices. Known for its innovative user interface and card-based multitasking, it has evolved from a mobile platform into a system powering Smart TVs and other connected appliances.

History

The development of the platform began at Palm, Inc. under the codename "Nova," led by executives like Jon Rubinstein who had previously worked at Apple Inc. on the iPod. It was officially launched on the Palm Pre smartphone in 2009 on the Sprint Corporation network in the United States. In 2010, Hewlett-Packard acquired Palm, Inc. for approximately $1.2 billion, aiming to expand its presence in the mobile market. After discontinuing hardware efforts in 2011, the source code was released as open-source software under the name Open webOS. In 2013, LG Electronics purchased the technology from Hewlett-Packard for use in its Smart TVs, effectively giving the operating system a new life in the consumer electronics space.

Features

A hallmark of the system was its intuitive gesture-based interface, centered around an area called the "gesture area" below the screen. Its signature card-based multitasking allowed users to manage open applications as stackable cards that could be flicked away to close. The platform integrated services through a unified messaging and contacts system known as Synergy, which aggregated data from Facebook, Google, and Microsoft Exchange Server. Notifications appeared as unobtrusive banners at the bottom of the screen, and it featured a robust over-the-air update mechanism. Later versions developed by LG Electronics introduced features like Magic Remote support and deep integration with IPTV services.

Versions

The original version, 1.0, launched on the Palm Pre and introduced core concepts like Synergy and card-based multitasking. Version 1.4 added video recording and increased performance. Under Hewlett-Packard, version 2.0 debuted on the HP TouchPad tablet, bringing improved developer tools and Adobe Flash support. Version 3.0, released as part of Open webOS, focused on moving components to open source and standardizing on Qt and the Linux kernel. The LG Electronics era began with webOS TV, rebranding versions for televisions (e.g., webOS 1.0 through webOS 23). These iterations focused on smart home connectivity, voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and partnerships with content providers like Netflix and Disney+.

Devices

The pioneering hardware was the Palm Pre smartphone, followed by the Palm Pixi. Hewlett-Packard launched the HP Veer and the HP Pre 3 smartphone, as well as the HP TouchPad tablet. After LG Electronics acquired the software, it became the exclusive operating system for LG's Smart TV lineup, including premium series like LG OLED and LG NanoCell. The platform also powers LG's Smart projectors and was adapted for use in Kia and Hyundai vehicle infotainment systems under the brand webOS Auto. A version for smartwatches was demonstrated but not widely commercialized.

Software development

Initially, applications were built using a framework that utilized standard web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, accessible via the Mojo SDK. The PDK allowed for games and performance-sensitive apps using C and C++. Under Hewlett-Packard, the Enyo framework became the primary application framework, designed to be cross-platform. The open-source transition to Open webOS and later LG webOS saw the adoption of standard Linux system components and the creation of the webOS OSE repository. Developers for LG webOS TV now use the webOS TV SDK and can publish apps to the LG Content Store.

Legacy and impact

Despite limited commercial success in the smartphone market against iOS and Android, the platform is widely credited with pioneering concepts that influenced later mobile operating systems. Its card-based multitasking model was notably echoed in later versions of iOS and Android. The decision by Hewlett-Packard to open-source the software preserved its technology for future innovation. Its most significant and enduring legacy is its successful reinvention as a major Smart TV operating system under LG Electronics, where it competes directly with platforms like Google TV, Roku, and Samsung Tizen. The project's journey from Palm, Inc. to LG Electronics remains a notable case study in the evolution of consumer electronics software.

Category:Operating systems Category:Software