The webOS platform has been one of the most struggling tablet/smartphone platforms in the world. After Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ)‘s acquisition of Palm, the entire operating system came to HP, which was later used for HP’s entry into the tablets market. After disappointing sales, HP made the OS open source for developers in order to support existing webOS devices. The platform’s future has always been doubtful and the tech industry still feels that webOS is dead.
Even though webOS has struggled since its release, there might be a future for the linux-based OS after all. LG Display Co Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:LPL) recently announced that it will be buying the webOS platform from HP, which will include the source code, documentation and licenses. According to reports, LG Display Co Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:LPL) won’t be using the OS for tablets or smartphones; but will use the platform for its upcoming smart TVs.
LG Display Co Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:LPL) has been releasing TVs with its own operating system and the company has also unveiled several Android based Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) TVs. LG’s president, Skott Ahn, claimed that the company will keep on satisfying the needs of its Android fans by releasing and supporting Google TVs. The new webOS platform will be used to replace LG’s own operating system from its upcoming smart TVs. Even though webOS has struggled wherever it has been used, this could mark the rise of the platform once again.
What this means for Google TV?
Even though this deal shouldn’t have much of an impact on Google TV, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s entry into the TV space has been rather shaky. The Android OS is loved all around the world, but it just didn’t happen in the TV space. Samsung and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s TV partnership never really made much of an impact, Sony Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) discontinued Google TVs and now LG Display Co Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:LPL) has brought in a new platform for smart TVs. While 3 of the biggest TV manufacturers might have backed out from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s platform in TVs, manufacturers like ASUS and NetGear, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTGR) have unveiled their own Google TV devices. Google TV never made much of an impact and it looks that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) will be settling for TV boxes and companions rather than smart TVs manufactured by some of the leading names.
Still a lot to be optimistic about with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) recently hit the $800 mark and analysts are claiming that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is the next big thing while Apple’s numbers are slowly going down in 2013. Wall Street estimates have already risen to $1000 and the company has a lot to offer in the upcoming years. Even if Google TV vanishes, the company has a lot to look forward to.
The smartphones market is one of the most innovative sectors in the world and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) still dominates most of the market, around the world, with its Android OS. Android is still the fastest growing Operating System in the world with large manufacturers such as Samsung and Sony relying on Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s OS.
