HP pushes out OS update for 'defunct' tablet
TouchPad gets WebOS 3.0.4
HP has pushed out an WebOS update for its TouchPad, a tablet seemingly stuck twixt life and death.
According to an HP blogger, the update features "improved performance… better support for the camera [and] improved messaging".
HP has "made connectivity with non-HP phones possible", and its WebOS engineers have "touched [up] the UI in many places".
All this despite previous HP CEO Leo Apotheker's decision to kill the tablet off. Clearly, either HP doesn't want to suspend it entirely, in case another company wants to buy it, or HP's own staff just won't let it die.
"We have also continued longer term architectural development for WebOS," wrote HP blogger Ari Jaaksi. "We are working hard around WebKit and V8. Those are core engines for the whole WebOS. The Enyo framework and developer tools are getting a lot of attention now.
"We have also some very cool development around UI especially in the area of working with many task simultaneously, and using the table screen even more efficiently."
While core OS work might be seen as crucial to WebOS' possible future as an OS for other HP products, we're not sure the same can be said for the UI.
Does even HP know where it's going with WebOS and TouchPad? ®
COMMENTS
Defunct Tablet?
Mine not only works well, I'm looking forward to putting Android on there via the lovely people at Cyanogen Mod.
It'd be nice to think WebOS will keep going, but doesn't seem realistic to me.
The UI is webOS's best asset
So working on the UI makes perfect sense.
And, HP's said almost all along that they're continuing OS updates and such for the devices in the field.
Just checked and here in the UK my TouchPad found this:
"...53 Meg File so we'll download it over the next 2 days while your TouchPad is idle..."
Hits "Download Now".
RE: Awesome...
And last I night I opened it, did the basic setup then started the OS update... today morning I had a fast, very nice tablet that pretty much plays and does everything I throw at it.
After about an hour or so I'm very impressed so far; keep the updates coming, HP. :)
Thanks for the update HP, now restoring OS
Ran the v3.04 update and now have a warning triangle on the screen. Going to www.palm.com/rom suggests I must have pulled the battery out during the upgrade (I'd have a hell of a job managing that).
Currently going through the recovery process with webos doctor.
If you have any preware installed remove it all first, or proceed with caution.
