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Hewlett-Packard unveils iPad rival, 2 webOS smart phonesSAN FRANCISCO, Feb 09, 2011 (San Jose Mercury News - McClatchy-Tribune News Service via COMTEX) -- Hewlett-Packard unveiled its long-awaited rival to the iPad on Wednesday, showing off a 10-inch-screen "TouchPad" and new phones based on the webOS software that HP acquired when it bought Palm last year. HP also plans to begin using webOS for at least some PC models later this year, HP Executive Vice President Todd Bradley told a theater full of journalists and analysts at Fort Mason Center. After the presentation, Bradley said the announcement won't change HP's long-standing relationship with Microsoft, which makes the Windows software which most HP computers currently run. "This is just enhancing our portfolio," Bradley said, indicating that HP plans to make webOS computers in addition to its current Windows PCs. The company displayed two new Palm smart phones, including a credit-card-size model called the Veer for consumer use and a larger model called the Pre3, with a 3.6-inch screen, that is aimed at professionals although it incorporates some consumer features. In a two-hour presentation, HP executives stressed the ease with which webOS allows people to use their devices to perform multiple functions at once, while also boasting that the software makes it easy to switch "seamlessly" from one device to another _ sharing information between a phone and tablet, for example, or e-mailing photos from either device to a wireless printer. "We start with unique and differentiated technology and apply it across a portfolio of devices," Bradley said. The new TouchPad has several features that the iPad lacks, including a front-facing camera for video calling and support for Adobe's Flash software, which is used to power much of the video and animation found on the Web. HP, based in Palo Alto, Calif., also announced partnerships with companies like DreamWorks, Time and Amazon, which will allow users to access some of their games and publications or other content on the TouchPad. But analysts say HP still faces a battle to catch up with Apple and the large number of devices that run on Google's Android software. As an example, an HP spokesman said last week that there are currently about 6,500 software apps available for devices running webOS. By contrast, Apple boasts over 350,000 apps, including 60,000 designed specifically for the iPad, and Google says there are more than 100,000 Android apps. HP, however, said it has plans to beef up the catalog of webOS apps by reaching out to developers and persuading them that HP, as the world's biggest PC company, has the size to put webOS apps in front of a large audience around the world. "This is just the start of HP's plan to build the largest installed base of connected users in the world," said HP Vice President Steven McArthur. On the heels of Wednesday's webOS announcement, HP is planning to launch a new marketing campaign that a top executive said will be "as big or bigger" as its successful "The Computer is Personal Again" campaign, which launched five years ago and helped carry HP to the position of world's biggest seller of PCs. The new campaign will include a substantial effort on the Web and social media, as well as television commercials that will air during "Saturday Night Live" and the upcoming Grammy Awards, according to Page Murray, vice president for integrated marketing in HP's personal systems group. Built around the slogan, "Everybody On," the campaign will promote the idea of people sharing their interests and experiences across a variety of HP products, including tablets, PCs and even printers. It will feature celebrities including singer Alicia Keys and Project Runway designer Mondo Guerra, while also inviting ordinary consumers to share their own stories about pursuing their interests or passions. "Nobody buys these things to go 'do computing' anymore," Murray said in an interview. "It's all about doing what they're passionate about." ___ (c) 2011, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.). Visit MercuryNews.com, the World Wide Web site of the Mercury News, at http://www.mercurynews.com. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |