Palm Confirms WebOS 2 Coming to All Current Devices

Posted By: Kris Keilhack Friday, November 19, 2010 12:13:28 PM

webos updates While the general consensus for some time has been that version 2.0 would eventually be released for all legacy WebOS devices, PreCentral is reporting direct from WebOS develop day in NYC that Palm's Josh Marinacci has indeed confirmed that the update will indeed hit all existing WebOS 1.x devices. Unfortunately, no specific mention was made of timing other than the usual "in the coming months".

Regardless, it is an encouraging sign to current WebOS users who may be stuck on an original Pre or Pixi with no hardware upgrade path in sight on their carrier of choice that Palm is committed to offering updates to all devices. A full video of Josh Marinacci's developer day talk is already available on Palm's YouTube channel.

As always, it is distinct possibility that the OS updates could be delayed or even cancelled entirely on certain carriers. Such an event would introduce a dose of unfortunate Android or Windows Mobile-style fragmentation into an OS that to date has maintained its consistency across all carriers and hardware. Long-time PIC readers will remember the strange saga of the Treo 700wx, in which only the Verizon version of that device was updated to Windows Mobile 6.0 as well as the AT&T Treo 750, which had a limited-time period for users to update their devices to WM 6.0.

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This is surprising

Tuckermaclain @ 11/20/2010 9:12:58 AM #

I'm speechless. Palm would normally make the customer buy a new device to do any kind of upgrade. It's one small move in the right direction, IMO.

RE: This is surprising

hkklife @ 11/20/2010 12:39:45 PM #

Agreed, basically it's a good and encouraging thing to see. However, you can also read between the lines and hypothesize that there is very little new stuff of merit in WebOS 2.0. So little, in fact, that even a lightweight, underpowered Pixi can handle it.

Remember, a lot of the recent criticisms leveled at Palm have been not only the incremental hardware improvements of the Pre 2 but the lack of compelling new features in WebOS 2.0. WebOS still comes up short in many of the basic areas of functionality compared to iOS and, yes, even the Garnet implementation on a later device like the Centro. Even little stuff like the stock WebOS calculator & memo pad come up short in features compared to what came on old Palm OS devices years ago!

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p->Verizon Moto Droid + Verizon Palm Centro-> Verizon Moto Droid X + Palm TX

RE: This is surprising

LiveFaith @ 11/21/2010 5:43:01 AM #

Good 1
Bad 0

Yep, good points @ what is really OS 1.6 and lack of OS / app maturity. Where's my tape in the calculator? Just use the Classic app and copy the tape to WebOS. Oh wait.
Pat Horne

RE: This is surprising

Gekko @ 11/22/2010 10:57:34 AM #

keep the faith, Reverend. great things are coming. i hear a Pixi 2 is in the works for early 2011.

RE: This is surprising

LiveFaith @ 11/24/2010 1:41:22 PM #

It's a beautimous thing Lizard Boy. Palm taking care of the legacy thing and all.
Pat Horne

WebOS 2.0 Complete with security holes

BaalthazaaR @ 11/29/2010 9:26:09 AM #

Tams Palm found an article about WebOS 2.0 security holes at darkREADING. Their summary can be found at
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/2010/11/27/palm-webos-has-security-holes/

RE: WebOS 2.0 Complete with security holes

Gekko @ 11/29/2010 1:30:37 PM #

Nimer55 said:

Statistically webos is most likely currently one of the safest platform, and heres why: they can all be hacked, and even though webos might be a little bit easier to hack, it has no market share. So hardly anyone would even bother.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/26/security-experts-unearth-unpleasant-flaws-in-webos/

Carriers are a problem

VampireLestat @ 12/19/2010 2:14:04 AM #

Cell carries get to choose when and who gets upgraded to WebOS 2, sheesh..
This is why no one should sign any contracts with these companies and only buy GSM unlocked phones; and then upgrade to WebOS2 per HPalm's schedule, not the carriers.