Skip to main content

Rumor: Samsung may buy webOS from HP

hp-webos

Here’s an interesting rumor. DigiTimes reports that Samsung may purchase webOS from HP, which recently announced that it no longer plans to make webOS devices and wishes to sell its entire PC division. While it doesn’t appear likely that Samsung wants HP’s entire PC business, as it could actually hurt Samsung’s profit margins on products like DRAM and touch panels, webOS is a lot more appealing. The Korean electronics maker may have already hired HP’s vice president of PC marketing to handle it’s PC sales. 

Neither HP nor Samsung is commenting on the situation, but Samsung may be wise to snatch it up. The company seems a bit wary (speculation) since Google announced plans to buy Motorola. Last week, it publicly announced a new version of its Bada operating system, which is used in some mid-range Samsung handsets, mostly overseas. Samsung shipped 3.5 million phones running Bada in early 2011. 

Related Videos

We think this is a great move for Samsung, if true. While Bada isn’t bad, it’s certainly not on the cutting edge of smartphone platforms. WebOS is a great platform and could do well if Samsung really put some weight behind it and released webOS phones that are better than comparable Android and iOS devices. In addition, webOS already has a library of apps and a unique look and feel to it. Before HP decided to dump it, the company had plans to put webOS on PCs, in cars, and in appliances. 

On the downside, this will be the third company that has tried to market webOS. Samsung might also be wise to avoid the OS as it has struggled in the market under Palm and HP branding, though the TouchPad has been on fire lately at its $99 price. To effectively push webOS, Samsung would also have to scale back its Android lineup, which has brought it a lot of success in the last couple years. 

Still, we’d welcome a good fifth operating system. The more the merrier. Competition keeps everybody on their toes. 

Editors' Recommendations

Samsung may be getting ready to launch a new AirTag rival this year
Galaxy SmartTag

Samsung is not the first brand that comes to mind when you are out shopping for an object tracker. That kind of consumer trust and appeal is currently commanded by Tile, which kickstarted the trend, and Apple's popular AirTag. However, Samsung wants to wiggle its way into that space with yet another object tracker that's destined to arrive soon.

Citing unnamed sources, SamMobile reports that Samsung is planning a refresh of its Galaxy Smart Tag portfolio. And if all things go according to plan, the second-gen object tracker from Samsung will hit the shelves in the third quarter of 2023 — possibly around the same time frame as the launch of Samsung’s upcoming foldable phones.

Read more
I’ve used Android phones for 10 years, and I hate these ones the most
pixel 4 xl rear sticking out

I’ve been using and reviewing Android smartphones for at least a decade, and during that time, I’ve spent time with a massive variety of devices that mostly fall into three distinct categories: good, passable, and bad. But what about the ones that have really stirred my emotions in a negative way? The phones that have elicited a visceral, guttural response? I’m not talking about the ones I love, but the ones I’ve downright hated.

Here are the six models that have irked me the most over the last 10 years of using and reviewing smartphones, and the reasons why they’ve made this list.
Google Pixel 4

Read more
The one thing the iPhone 14, Galaxy S23, and Pixel 7 all get wrong
Apple iPhone SE (2020) being plugged in to charge.

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) this year, new smartphones broke cover as one would expect. I won't bore you with all the details; Digital Trends' Joe Maring and Jacob Roach wrote an excellent roundup of all the best MWC 2023 announcements already.

One key quality-of-life-improving feature we picked up on as a theme was charging speed. Apple, Samsung, and Google, the mainstream phone brands by coverage (even if not all by sales), stick to a fast-charging average speed of just over an hour — even with the latest iPhone 14, Galaxy S23, and Pixel 7. By comparison, a phone from Xiaomi, Oppo, or OnePlus can get you moving in 30 minutes or even less. It's time to demand more from our phones.
Fast charging exists — just not for you

Read more