back to article HP exec: WebOS tablet will trounce iPad

An HP exec says that his company's upcoming TouchPad will overtake the current tablet-market dominator, Apple's iPad. "In the tablet world we're going to become better than number one. We call it number one plus," HP's EMEA personal systems group headman Eric Cador told a press conference in Cannes, according to The Telegraph …

COMMENTS

This topic is closed for new posts.
  1. tony72
    FAIL

    Vapour

    "In the tablet world we're going to become better than number one. We call it number one plus."

    Ah, another worthy addition to the vast lexicon of marketing bollocks. Is there a school where they teach people how to come up with this crap?

    1. Robert E A Harvey

      The master has it covered

      http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2011-05-10/

    2. RichyS

      Basic maths

      Isn't 'one plus' at least two (conveniently ignoring that zero is a number).

    3. mafoo

      will execs never learn

      I remember Steve Ballmer saying something along the lines of Windows Mobile 6 Phones (not win phone 7) whipping the iPhones arse.

      Such bold statements will inevitably end up causing mass egg on face incidents.

    4. Mediocrates
      Headmaster

      Ya misspelt vapor

      "Is there a school where they teach people how to come up with this crap?"

      Nah, the big-haired marketing weirdos just huff butthash.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Unhappy

    No mention of apps?

    Those apps don't write themselves... and in the consumer space I don't think anyone can claim (anymore) to have "arrived" until Angry Birds run on whatever it is you're selling.

    RIM, I thought, was adopting the Android app engine (Dalvik?) - what is HP going to do?

    Even though I hear WebOS is actually a pretty impressive OS, I don't get the impression that many (any?) popular phone/pad apps are available for it.

    1. Rick Dickinson

      Angry Birds runs just fine on WebOS

      I have one of the original Palm Pre WebOS phones, and Angry Birds runs just fine on it. I have no doubt that it will run just fine on a WebOS tablet, as well.

    2. Robert E A Harvey

      Am I alone

      in having not a clue what "angry birds" means?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Happy

        Re: Rick, Re: Robert

        Rick,

        Interesting info - I really didn't know it had this and it seems like there is a drum beat every time WebOS gets mentioned that everyone piles on to lament the - alleged - anemic app availability for WebOS. Any idea what their app engine is or how easy/difficult it is to program for?

        Robert,

        Please don't take offense to this, but I'm assuming you don't have kids that own or have played with an iOS/Android device. It's popular to the point of it being a sort of litmus test for popular mobile apps similar to how "but can it run Crysis" always seems to be asked by someone every time a new processor or GPU is released. I'll put it this way... I've never seen an iPod or iPad that didn't have it installed.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        In a word

        yes

      3. M Gale

        It's what happens...

        ...if you piss Sarah off.

        I'll be going now, before she gets that horsewhip..

      4. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Yes

        the rest of us know how to use a search engine

      5. Captain TickTock
        Boffin

        Am I alone..??

        No, I'm sure there are plenty of other people who don't know how to use search engines and detective skills too.

      6. Tom Maddox Silver badge
        Go

        @Robert

        http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=angry+birds

      7. alwarming
        Paris Hilton

        Re: Am I alone.

        It's referring to aftermath of your nocturnal activities.

        Next you will say what's Paris ?

    3. 100113.1537

      WebOS runs Palm programs

      Long before there were "apps", Palm had a catalogue of programs which actually did real things (i.e. business and commercial applications, not just Angry Birds). I don't have a WebOS device at the moment, but as far as I can tell, there is a PalmOS emulator out there which means that I will get one when my latest Tungsten E goes the way of all electronics and I will still be able to access the 8 or so years of contacts, appointments, notes, to do lists that I store on my own PC and not in a 'cloud' somewhere.

      That's what HP bought with Palm.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I think not...

    I think Forrester summed it up a while ago saying HP are making a decent play for second place in the Tablet market.

    It's coming very late to a rather crowded market. Perhaps WebOS and apps will allow it to stand out - we will see, but suspect Mr Cador is being somewhat optimistic.

    The statement achieved it's aim in a way; lots of media coverage...

  4. Dick Emery
    Thumb Down

    WebOS

    Everybody either wants iPad or Android variants. I doubt anybody will be as interested in WebOS unelss they get a MAJOR burt of app devs.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      seems everyone

      wants an ipad by sales figures

  5. thesykes

    Optimistic?

    Probably, but, that is his job. I don't think shareholders etc would be happy to hear him come out and say that he was aiming to be an also-ran.

    1. asdf
      FAIL

      don't you mean

      > aiming to be an also-ran.

      Yeah even the Microsheep shareholders are finally get tired of Balmer's constant also-ran business plans (Zune, Kin, WinMob7 anyone?)

  6. Ilgaz

    dear EMEA director

    Can you actually do your job instead of trolling the press?

    Like, WebOS app store along with actual devices are non existent on Europe/Middle East/Africa. That is what EMEA director does right? Ship these things? Advertise? Support developer scene?

  7. Alastair 7

    Branding? Should have kept "Palm"

    HP is not a sexy brand name. It never will be. While Palm wasn't exactly sexy it at least has a great reputation among business, and had a chance to invent an image for itself with the non-business consumer.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Absolutely, Palm IS sexy

      They then could enter that niche in the market that Apple left glaringly open.

      Presenting... the Hairy Palm, a pad for all your porn.

      Antiseptic NanoSilver coated glass and a range of washable plugins.

      The companion Up the Store has apps for every taste, starting at 59p for gorgeous retired sex trade workers to 19.99 for unknown ex-eastern bloc celebrities. Plus amazing Touchstone attachments that will energise your fun.

      This is such an obvious market I'm surprised no one came out with it yet.

      1. Captain TickTock
        Coat

        Missed opportunity...

        They didn't last long enough to see social networking...

        FacePalm..

        Ok, ok, I'm going

    2. SoftFox
      Unhappy

      Re: Branding? Should have kept "Palm"

      'HP is not a sexy brand name. It never will be. While Palm wasn't exactly sexy it at least has a great reputation among business, and had a chance to invent an image for itself with the non-business consumer.'

      Thats a shame 'cause HP or at least Hewlet Packard used to be a very high quality name, probably as good as Apple however they decide to go after the large PC market while trying to maintain the 'Brand' when they took over Compaq.....

      The rest is history

  8. Chris Gray 1
    FAIL

    "web"Os and security?

    Hmm. They want it secure for corporate use. But it highly integrates web stuff. Isn't that a contradiction right there?

    1. Ilgaz

      You can't install antivirus too

      Unless someone comes up with a javascript antivirus, F-secure and Kaspersky guys won't be able to ship anything meaningful as you can't run native code on WebOS.

      That means stuff like encyripted directories, anti spam etc. won't exist. It is worse than iphone as you can at least code native stuff and unless you don't cross their "wishes", your app will be shipped.

      They say code widgets using web tech. Even Apple couldn't convince developers as c developers hate such stuff. If you follow the entire mobile scene, actually Nokia tried it too. Failed miserably. (wrt).

      Is it some new rule to try some web thing, fail and lose millions? How hard to find 100 popular software that users love and being actively developed and ask the developers themselves some questions? Like, would they even find time to release on some weird web runtime platform while releasing simultaneously for android, ios and symbian same time? Notice that they either sell software or they are supported by advertisers so the app must work flawlessly. It has been measured once, the time user installs an application and removes can go down to 1 minute! Yes, code hundreds of thousands of lines, test and release. User sees smallest quirk and uninstalls in 1 minute. You will never, ever convince them to try again. It is such a competitive scene.

      HP guys actually take the mobile app scene serious?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        You can do native on WebOS

        https://developer.palm.com/content/resources/develop/quick_start_c.html

  9. Old Handle
    Headmaster

    Number One Plus

    Hold on. Based on the usual method of ranking, one is best, two is next best, etc. So wouldn't "number one plus" actually mean "worse than best"?

    1. famousringo
      Joke

      Since lower is better

      I think he meant to say that HP is aiming to be a zero in the tablet market.

    2. Ocular Sinister

      Depends on the integer

      Is it signed or unsigned?

  10. redpola

    Pity the poor fool.

    What a crock. I began this with a reasoned bullet list of arguments but as I typed them I thought "this is ridiculous- it's just OBVIOUSLY rubbish". So my well- reasoned and intelligent rebuttal is this: Bollocks.

  11. Steve Davies 3 Silver badge
    FAIL

    It is HP vs Microsoft

    fighing it out for 4th & 5th place in the market or 3rd & 4th if RIM don't get their act together

    I wouldn't put it past either of them to resort to some slight of hand to stop Android & IOS from accessing certain bits of corporate software (Exchange for one).

    If HP release their MK 1 device in the Autumn (they have to or they will mis another Christmas period in the US) then the iPad will have been on the market for close on 2 years. IMHO this will be far too late.

    Apple will be able to counter any USP HP come up with in a pretty short time. Android won't be far behind.

  12. Allison Park

    a distant 3rd and will never try

    Already have an iPad v2 and two android tablets for the kids....moved to android for the price...why would I do webos? too late for my consideration....plus it looks like it would HP only...reminds me of HP-UX on Itanium. ouch.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Happy

      Out of curiosity...

      What Android tab did you get for the kids? Been looking for something cheaper than an iPad for my kids, but other than the Nook Color I haven't seen anything that has seemed too interesting.

      1. Allison Park

        viewsonic gtablet

        can be had for under $300 and is easily rooted as there is a whole community to support it

        xda-developers.com the nook is nice if you just want to read books and mags

        if you want a great tablet get the gtablet....and put on the amazon marketplace to get a free app every day. The kids love them and are the perfect back seat entertainment centers.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Thumb Up

          Hadn't looked into that one yet

          Thanks!

  13. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Not as insane as it sounds

    Our company is currently dishing out iPads - they make pretty decent thin clients and suit a lot of our users.

    They are, however, a bit of a pain to manage and support.

    If we had a alternative that had a set of management tools we'd definitely be interested to the point of evaluating and I suspect that as long as pricing was comparable and the device itself wasn't a complete dog, we'd buy. The number of available fart apps would not be to much of an issue.

    However sadly for HP they'd probably lose a PC sale for each TouchPad purchase.

    At present tablets are like MP3 players - there's a clear best of breed and they're not really for general business. Apple's market leader for good reason.

    If the market changes so that this sort of device is more like a phone you might buy one yourself but a lot of people would have one provided by their company - then you could see a shift so that iPad sales were more in line with smartphones with Apple a big player but not the only sane option.

    If the change is greater than that and tablets are viewed in the same way PCs are then people would expect their work device to be provided by the company - they might have one themselves at home that was sexier, more fun and easier to use but the one for the daily grind would be a managed box bought by your employer - then you could see Apple's market share moving nearer the Mac level.

    Apple has a head start and a quality bit of hardware but they don't have management and support services and that may yet matter in terms of who sells the big numbers.

    1. SuccessCase

      So your saying...

      ...if the third best device can develop enterprise integration tools quicker than the market leader with the best OS and user experience, who also has a 60 billion dollar cash pile, and is already in the market improving their enterprise integration tools, HP might stand a chance.

      Plausible, if challenging. But I know who I'm betting on.

    2. Conrad Longmore
      Jobs Horns

      You might be right..

      You might be right.. one thing that corporates hate is the lack of manageability for these damned things, so proper management tools might be attractive. Of course, it will also be fun forcing a WebOS device on an Apple fanboi just for teh lulz.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Happy

        Manageability...

        in the Enterprise space is already a pretty significant issue for everything other than Blackberry - at least for my customers. We have a few environments that allow ActiveSync capable devices (read: WinMob, iOS, Android) using just the ActiveSync controls... but more typically they are looking to 3rd party solutions like Good to provide RIM-style security and manageability. *IF* HP can provide equivalent functionality to Good and RIM at a reasonable cost - or no cost - for WebOS then they could get good traction assuming the rest of the equation (cost per device, functionality/quality of the device, etc) is in the ballpark of the competition.

        Of course, if they price that management pack equivalent to a Good (or any of the other similar products in this space) then there is really no advantage to going WebOS as you could just as easily go with an Android or iPad device.

  14. McBeese

    This is who Steve Jobs was referring to

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/Design/graphics/icons/comment/fail_32.png This guy has just demonstrated to everyone that he is one of the people "who doesn't get it" that Steve Jobs refers to. If I were his boss, I'd immediately start looking for a smarter replacement.

  15. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    This guy should be on the stage!

    "In the tablet world we're going to become better than number one. We call it number one plus."

    Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,LOL...what a comedian.

    Hmmm... he was joking, wasn't he?

  16. Anonymous Coward
    FAIL

    Bet

    Would he like to bet his job on it ? Of course, he means No 1+ by 2025...

  17. asdf
    FAIL

    wheres Matt B?

    HP is solid in some markets but perhaps this talking head manager needs to cut back on the happys meds. No way in hell HP will be much of player in tablets with WebOS. They are not an early entrant and they will get killed on the margins vs Android. Palm was great in 1999 but their time has come and gone and if this is the best HP can do in this space Apple has no worries.

    1. Ilgaz

      They even copy Palm's gravely mistake.

      Palm execs and developers couldn't get it. Being successful is a global thing, not just USA. It is the opposite mistake Nokia did, they didn't care about American market.

      If your app store, your devices, your community doesn't exist on some continents, developers from the continents will ignore your os/device no matter how great it is.

      If you don't exist at East Europe, UK, Russia and Netherlands and spare your time making ridiculous claims instead, you could be some Elop of Nokia, smaller scale.

  18. NoneSuch Silver badge
    Go

    What is needed...

    ...is a universal app translator...

    Take Apple/Android/WebOS apps in one end and send out a compatible app for your phone out the other. Then you can buy whatever app you want and have it run on your platform.

    1. sabroni Silver badge

      Indeed.

      I've worked on a number of different mobile "platforms" over the last couple of years and they've all been slightly different implementations of html, javascript and css platforms. They're all just different enough that you can't seamlessly port between platforms though. Palm is another of these, though it's cleverly moving from one html/javascript/css framework to a new one for the pad style device.... (presumably because some people were becoming familiar with the old framework).

      However, the real point of this is that the "universal app translator" you want is already here, it's using these technologies over the web. Apps like this can run on all the major (and not so major) platforms. Device speeds these days mean you can achieve an attractive and functional ui with this tech. Difficult to get people to pay for access though, unfortunately....

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Happy

      I think I'll call it...

      "Java", and do away with the translation altogether. What could possibly go wrong?

      Oh wait...

  19. Matt Banks

    hilarious

    Thank you Reg and Mr. Cador. I needed a good laugh today.

    I think we'll all be surprised if they make it to number 2.

  20. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Apps? Did somebody ask for apps?

    Wouldn't be astonished, if they came out with:

    "Apps? What would you need them for? It has a browser and it can print! Imagine that!"

  21. Daniel Pimley
    Big Brother

    Numberoneplus?

    Doubleplusgood.

  22. Floormeister

    WebOS

    Actually, the statement about being "no 1" was made based on optimism about getting a bunch of major web apps set for the Touchpad. There will be some gaps but WebOS already has a lot and seems to be creating more partnerships all the time. I do not think that WebOS will ever be that huge on the tablet but apps will only be a minor reason. Being late is much more of an issue.

    I think WebOS is an excellent OS but they are way too late.

  23. Muckminded

    And Microsoft will pwn online search

    And Segways are making a comeback.

    And people want uranium hard drives.

    And I will become productive (or even reproductive).

    That last one made me sad.

  24. Bad Beaver
    Heart

    Despite all the bs

    I am still looking forward to getting my hands on a Palm3. Not necessarily the tablet unless it turns out really nice. But WebOS has something about it. Maybe it's the "more professional than consumer crap" positioning.

  25. Kimo

    The title is required, and must contain wit and/or profanity.

    Ummm...doesn't Dell also play in the business and consumer markets? I seem to recall them launching a few pads as well.

  26. fLaMePrOoF
    FAIL

    Who was this..?

    ""In the tablet world we're going to become better than number one. We call it number one plus"

    Sounds like HP have hired Charlie Sheen - WINNING!

    1. Eddy Ito

      If only...

      They might have actually improved their odds if they hired Charlie Sheen.

    2. Timbo 1
      Joke

      Surely this is a tribute to Spinal Tab?

      [sic]

      ....and Nigel Tufnel's Mach piece, combining the styles of Motzart and Bach?

  27. Anonymous Coward
    FAIL

    Surely the Kiss Of Death ...

    Why? Just why do senior execs do stuff like that? Saying something in public so obviously crass and arrogant like that simply cries out to be publiclly thrashed over and over again ....

    Whatever happened to letting the marketplace decide ... as it most surely will anyway!

    Just thinking of the schadenfreude possibilities sends shivers down my spine ... marvellous!!

    I bet Steve is already lining up the gags at HP's expense ...

    1. Ilgaz

      I bet he will ignore

      Not really an Apple fan, I even have a psycho stalker thumbs down Apple fan :)

      If I know Steve Jobs, he will basically ignore this. I mean if MS or Google came up with such a claim, he would sure use it but this guy is at borders of "ignore that lunatic" level.

  28. Steve McPolin
    Happy

    my buzzword bingo game exploded

    Woo! Hoo! iPAD KILLER. Obviously it was the "O" that made the iPOD so death defying....

    Nice work continuing to quote Eric after he had tipped his inanity hand; but did you have the decency to point out that 1+, while more than one, is actually not first place? Perhaps suggest "1-" as a way of inserting a platinum medal above gold?

  29. Anonymous Coward
    Paris Hilton

    OMG?

    Oh my goodness.

    HP certainly seems a bit full of itself.

    I wonder if they did any high street brand recognition surveys?

    Maybe:

    which brand name do you associate with mobile media (sound, video, movies) and cool style?

    A - Apple

    or

    B - HP

    1. M Gale

      C - Sony

      Because I'm old enough to remember when "iPod" was "Walkman".

      1. Ilgaz

        Mobile division started to do clever things

        People at Sony Ericsson finally figured the "Sony" part and they started to do clever things to differentiate themselves like adding Bravia engine (actually an image dsp) to Android phones.

        At least they don't claim insane things like beating Apple on tablet market. Don't they pay huge money to Gartner etc? Even public, free whitepapers talk about 80% market share. 80!

  30. regreader2011
    FAIL

    Room-temperature

    Another sad reminder that many CEOs, those supposed leaders, have at best a room-temperature IQ (I'll grant them Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, but make it a cold room then).

  31. The Fuzzy Wotnot
    Pint

    Yeah right!

    Get in the queue with all the other iPad slayers that have come and gone over the last few years. Heard it all before, when you have something complete, in a box, on a shop shelf that I can buy AND you have a an online app store ready to sell me some apps, then I'm ready to listen.

    I don't own a tablet of any description, I just get fed up with these tech companies constantly playing vapourware catch-up to the fruity one, either **** or get off the pot!

    1. M Gale

      Meh

      Plenty of "better" options out there than the iWotsits. Myself, I like a fondle-toy that fits in a pocket, which the iPad doesn't. Now if the iPad really was a small, fondlable Mac even I'd be interested at the price it is. However, it's a toy with pretensions, so I'm really not.

      Seriously, a 10" screen? And Saint Jobs telling us all that 7" is too small so we'll never see a 7" iPad? Might as well buy a Netbook. All the functionality of an iPad, cheaper, has a real keyboard AND you can do more with it. Including playing Angry Birds via Chipzilla's AppUp store.

      The iPad and other huge tablets just won't have as much market as smaller, book-sized form factors. Either Apple will realise this and start releasing more portable slabs, or they won't and people will eventually either go Droid or Netbook. You know people get the same sort of hypnotic "Ooh Shiny, what is it where can I get it from" reaction from my nicely pocketable Tab as the iPad? Should tell you something, that.

      Other iPad slayers, indeed. Sorry matey, but for many people a 10" expensive games console with no keyboard is dead on arrival. Apple seem entirely uninterested in doing anything for these people either, so they have to go elsewhere if they fancy a bit of "Ooh Shiny" that doesn't break the bank and is actually portable as opposed to merely battery operated.

      Whether they go to WebOS on the other hand, is another matter entirely...

  32. hillsy
    Coat

    Number one plus? Jesus, that's...

    ...number two.

    (Nod in the direction of "Team America: World Police")

  33. Dimitri
    Coat

    Walk the walk and then we'll talk.

    Statements from HP executives are a dime a dozen. Same as HP executives.

    Getting my coat to protect myself from the upcoming torrential downpour of crap from marketing execs pushing "iPad-killers".

  34. SplitBrain

    First to market wins.....

    Microsoft and HP do not seem to realise this. They should cut their losses and realise that they were simply outplayed by Apple and Google, they were too late. Anyway, HP's main source of income is the black stuff, they are wasting their time and their share holders money.

    1. Francis Boyle Silver badge

      How's that working out for

      Wordperfect.

  35. N13L5
    FAIL

    yeah yeah for HP

    Tablets for consumers are 95% pure consumption devices, not productivity devices.

    For Companies, thats different, with good tablet applications for transportation, stock-keeping, sales for example...

    Of course, UPS already has tablets: custom built to be rugged with just the screen size needed and low battery consumption. I have no idea why UPS would switch to battery gobbling fashion tablets for their gazillion delivery drivers.

    Large warehouse companies also have their own special style of tablet for years already. Again, I see no reason why they should change to general purpose battery gobbling consumer style tablets...

    It'll take some killer application that can't run on the purpose-built devices industry already has. For a Company, there's a beauty in a device that does only one job. It keeps costs down by simplicity. And you won't find your employees sitting somewhere in the warehouse watching Hulu on their inventory scanners, like you might if you gave them all WebOS tablets.

    And that HP marketing exec sounds like an amateur proclaiming king of the hill before actually getting there. Maybe they hope this message will emphasize that HP is really really really serious about putting their resources behind this.

    I hope they do something good. The only thing I find my tablet useful for is as a glorified music playback controller for the couch table.

    Maybe I'm weird, but I prefer a keyboard for speed of operation for pretty much anything i do on a computer. Fumbling around on touch screens is slow and painful for text input and even dialog box navigation. Its ok for scrolling through lists or using a picture gallery. I guess I just don't get it. Maybe its great for people without touch-typing skill...

This topic is closed for new posts.

Other stories you might like