• pre,  touchpad,  upgrade,  veer,  web os

    HP Releases a Minor Software Update for HP webOS

    July 9, 2013 /

    It’s no joke, webOS fans, HP has release the smallest of mandatory updates for Palm’s smartphones and tablet computer.

    I received an email today from HP’s webOS Team letting me know that there is a minor update available for webOS to correct an expiring root certificate that allows our webOS devices to connect to HP’s backend servers for things like Backup/Restore and the App Catalog.  The certificate is set to expire on July 23, 2013.

    HP TouchPad w/ webOS 3 after the update
    Palm Pre w/ webOS 2.1 after the update

    HP TouchPads running webOS 3 will be upgraded to App Catalog version 5.0.3500.  HP and Palm branded smartphones running webOS 2 will be updated to 2.1.10000.

    The email contained directions for devices running webOS 2.1 and later as well as for devices running a version of webOS that was released prior to webOS 2.1.

    Full details on how to update your webOS smartphone or tablet can be found on the HP website.

    Anyone who plans to keep using their Palm webOS devices after July 23 of this year are encouraged to charge up your device and either install the automatic software update using the Software Update application or by manually going to the App Store and installing the App Catalog Update utility.

    The email is copied below:

    Mandatory webOS system update
    A certificate used on webOS devices expires on July 23, 2013. For the system to be able to use cloud services such as Backup/Restore and App Catalog the certificate needs to be updated.
    Beginning June 6th an automatic update to the Application Catalog has replaced the certificate. That means that if your device is running webOS “2.1” or greater you can have the certificate installed automatically by activating your device and accepting the update.
    If your device is running a webOS version older than “2.1”, or you want to manually install, go to the HP App Catalog on your device and select the app called “App Catalog Update”, download and install it on your system.
    To install the new certificate, download and install this application.
    After July 23rd, 2013, it will be necessary to take special steps to install this update. Details will be available on the HP support site (https://developer.palm.com/support/applicationupdate?sssdmh=dm13.346142)
    We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
    webOS Team
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  • hp,  pre,  touchpad,  veer,  web os

    HP Halts All webOS Hardware Sales

    August 20, 2011 /

    Earlier this week, HP announced during their quarterly earning call that they will halt the sale of all webOS devices, including the recently launched HP TouchPad tablet and the Pre3 smartphone.

    “HP will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. The devices have not met internal milestones and financial targets. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.”

    This is yet another sad day for fans of the Palm product family, but, unfortunately, not a surprising one.  The sell through of webOS devices has not risen to the levels to allow HP and webOS to compete against the likes of Apple iOS and Google Android.  HP executives where quick to point out that they had not killed the webOS operating system, but with the OS not available on any new devices and a dwindling customer install base, I don’t see how HP will hope to attract third-party developers to their platform if HP themselves are not fully committed to it.

    The good news, if you are a die hard fan of Palm and webOS, HP is suppose to be starting a fireside sale on their remaining inventory of HP TouchPad tablets.  The 16GB TouchPad is suppose to go on sale for $99, while the 32GB TouchPad will sell for $149.

    Keep and eye on the HP online store for your last chance to pick up a TouchPad before they disappear.

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  • att,  hp,  veer,  web os

    HP Veer Now Available

    May 16, 2011 /

    HP’s new tiny webOS smartphone, the Veer, is now available from AT&T here in the United States.

    For anyone who wants a smartphone that packs the features they crave without the extra size they don’t, HP has introduced the powerfully small HP Veer smartphone running HP webOS.

    Veer is one of the products HP announced today to introduce a unique experience for customers around connected mobility. It’s one of the building blocks in HP’s vision to seamlessly connect all your worlds through the power of HP webOS.
    Veer is the smallest webOS phone to date – the size of a credit card and no thicker than a deck of cards – yet it offers the higher-end features of a smartphone, such as easy messaging and access to apps, social networks and the web, including support for Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 beta in the browser for access to rich, Flash-based web content.

    It has a full slide-out keyboard, vivid touchscreen and access to thousands of webOS apps in a surprisingly small, modern package that fits easily into a pocket or purse. It’s everything a smartphone should be, but in a smarter size.

    “While much of the industry is trending toward larger and larger devices, we believe there’s also a whole lot of room for thinking small,” said Jon Rubinstein, senior vice president and general manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HP. “Veer bridges the gap for a new generation of smartphone users, proving they really can have it all without sacrificing the size they want.”

    Less is more

    At just 54.5 mm x 84.0 mm x 15.1 mm and only 103 grams, Veer touts an 800-MHz processor; a vivid 2.57-inch glass display; full slide-out keyboard; 8 gigabytes (GB) of internal user storage; a high-performance browser with full access to the web, including support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta; Wi-Fi; integrated GPS; robust messaging support; and multimedia options, including music, photos, video recording and playback, and a 5-megapixel camera.

    Veer also includes HP Synergy, which is exclusive to webOS devices. Synergy brings together information from multiple sources across the web automatically, so the information you need is all in one place.

    4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. Requires 4G device and compatible data plan. Learn more at att.com/network.

    Availability

    The black HP Veer smartphone is available today from AT&T Wireless for $99.99 with the purchase of a qualifying 2-year service agreement which includes a minimum $15/month data plan.  You can also purchase the black HP Veer contract free for $449.99.

    For more details, visit the HP website.

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