The ‘polar bear’ has arrived: PC giant’s new head honcho confirms it will release its own platform on all models from next year.
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Every PC with the HP logo “will include the ability to run WebOS” its new Chief Executive, Leo Apotheker, told Bloomberg.
The platform will run along existing Windows software meaning Microsoft can breathe a sigh of relief. For now.
However, the software giant will have to up the ante of its forthcoming Windows 8 in a bid to keep possible transgressers to HP’s new offering at bay.
The world’s largest computer maker acquired Palm, the creators of WebOS, last year for US$1.2 billion and clearly wants to put its money to good use helping to differentiate it from rivals Android and Apple’s iOS.
The OS will also run on its upcoming TouchPad tablet, Pre3 business smartphone as well as the Veer.
The fledgling platform currently has just over 6000 apps, which pales in comparison to the 350,000 currently available on Apple’s ecosystem.
However, Apotheker also recognised the major shortfall HP has in the software arena and feels he can build on what already there and through strategic acquisitions to help expand its current portfolio.
“You create a massive platform,” he said, referring to WebOS. “I happen to know something about software,” he added, hinting the future direction the maker, whose core PC business is worth US$41 billion, might take.
The former Chief of software giant SAP, who’s nickname is ‘polar bear’ is also said to be on a mission to boost innovation and in house talent at his new employer as it looks to diversify in the future.
And he recently took to the skies to break the ice with staff visiting Hewlett Packard’s regional offices worldwide.
“HP has lost its soul,” Apotheker said, referring to his predecessor Mark Hurt’s cost cutting drive.
“You don’t mandate innovation,” said the German born CEO. “People need to be a little more empowered in this place.”
This is of particular significance to Australia, considering HP is now the nations biggest selling PC, as revealed by IDC last week.
The Palo Alto based maker pushed Acer off the top spot, emerging as the market leader among Aussie consumers with a 22 percent share, taking over from Acer, who slipped back to second place at 15 percent.
The computer market here grew 20 percent last year selling 5.7 million units.
Known for his hot temper, the German seeks to reassure he has his emotions in check.
“The one thing I’ve learned is to try to manage my temper better and get rid of cynics sooner,” he said.