We just finished watching a rare solo appearance by Palm Developer Relations’ Ben Galbraith at MobileBeat 2010 in a "fireside chat" with VentureBeat’s Matthäus Kryzkowski. The discussion was fairly general about where webOS has come in the past year with a few hints at where it might be going, including another mention of the cloud-syncin’est database technology known to mobility, DB8, which we reported on past April. It was a "fireside chat," and so not the venue for big announcements, but still illuminating to those looking to get a feel for where the thinking inside HP’s newest subsidiary is right now.

read more

READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

As we mentioned in our liveblog and wrap-up of Phil McKinney’s keynote at MobileBeat 2010, HP’s CTO was very clear that he wasn’t announcing any new hardware – he likes webOS’s chances on a "Slate device" but not on the Slate device.

McKinney also broke out both a Palm Pre and a Palm Pixi, but the most interesting thing he pulled out during his speech was a rolled-up flexible display. What you’re looking at is something from deep inside HP’s R&D, it’s similar to E-Ink, printed on Mylar, and essentially can be made into any size you can imagine, from handset on up to an entire wall. It’s full color and low-power, but more notably it’s a far-in-the-future kind of thing, don’t expect flexible display devices in the short or even medium term. The display that McKinney showed is still fairly fragile, even rolled up in a protective tube it managed to collect some kinds and flaws.

read more

READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>

We’re live at the MobileBeat 2010 conference! Phil McKinney, HP’s CTO and friend to webOS and Palm takes the stage shortly. We’ll update this post as he gives his keynote:

The Perfect Storm of Innovation Why do device makers need to innovate in software in the current market? How does this play into the coming deluge of connected devices? McKinney shares developments now underway at his own organization, including HP’s vision for next-generation connected devices, and how to tap into the promise of the cloud.

Keynote’s over, folks! McKinney showed off some flexible display technology (but very far into the future). He also said he’s excited to see webOS on Slate devices – but emphatically not THE Slate, McKinney was clear he wasn’t making any announcements right now.

As expected, no new hardware announcements, but McKinney’s understanding of the mobility market and his optimistic and open attitude should make webOS fans take heart. For the record, it does look like whatever the next hardware is going to be, it’ll be based on Palm’s current roadmap and not a complete reboot: "[Palm has] got some great plans and some great things coming, so stay tuned."

Last but not least, McKinney called out the homebrew and developer community around webOS more than once and it definitely didn’t feel pro forma. Instead, looks like HP is genuinely enthused by how much all you homebrewers have accomplished.

Hit us up after the break for the full breakdown of the event, including McKinney’s impromptu chart making skills.

read more

READ THE FULL ARTICLE >>