WebOS Chief: Don't Fret Over TouchPad Reviews

Fudge Factor 3000 writes "HP released their much trumpeted enterprise tablet, TouchPad, last week. This device was also the first to showcase WebOS in a tablet. The tablet received several harsh reviews, though some stated that the OS showed potential. Most of the criticism surrounded the sluggish software and the lack of apps. As reported by CNET, WebOS chief Jon Rubenstein rallies his troops by comparing the WebOS tablet's debut to that of Mac OS X, which also struggled early on. However, it is not entirely clear if the comparison is appropriate, since WebOS has existed since 2009, and OS X had the ability to run most classic OS 9 apps during the transition period. Nevertheless, one can certainly argue that the situation is similar in spirit." Another reader tips a related article which suggests that — for better or worse — Apple has succeeded in defining what a tablet should be, making it difficult for competitors to get a foothold in the market.

Re:Sad, but interesting

[mellon]

What's even more ironic is that this is true despite the various ways that Apple has chosen to cripple the iPad. All they need to do is make something iPad-like that isn't crippled, and the people who want an iPad that isn't crippled will buy it. (I have an iPad and like it, but the fact that I can't do shortcuts on the keyboard and can't run an interpreter on it or fork subprocesses means that it is much less useful to me than it could be.)

Re:Sad, but interesting

[Microlith]

Indeed, but they don't want you. At least, they don't want you as you are, but as they want you to be (getting kinda Nirvana here...)

Apple's hostility towards technical users should be well known at this point, which is a tragic turn from where they are with OS X.

Re:Sad, but interesting

[UnknowingFool]

Having the largest marketshare isn't really the legal definition of a monopoly. Apple's marketshare must be so dominant and controlling that (1) they can set whatever prices they wanted and (2) customers have no suitable alternatives as the barrier to entry is too high. Well given that many of their competitors can release products (some of them cheaper/some more expensive) is really enough to fend off any monopoly charges. The fact that the competing products have mostly sucked so far isn't really on Apple but on their competitors' inadequacies. After that Apple must be shown to somehow curtail competition through the use of their monopoly. Having 90+% marketshare wasn't the problem with MS and Windows. It was their dealings with OEMs and partners to harm Netscape and Sun that was why MS was convicted.

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Re:Sad, but interesting

[Microlith]

given that many of their competitors can release products (some of them cheaper/some more expensive) is really enough to fend off any monopoly charges

When Microsoft was tried for abusing their monopoly, other vendors were releasing OSes and browsers. Nonetheless, they were found to have a monopoly. The direction for abuse would be threats against App Developers directed towards other mobile platforms.

The fact that the competing products have mostly sucked so far isn't really on Apple but on their competitors' inadequacies.

No argument there.

After that Apple must be shown to somehow curtail competition through the use of their monopoly. Having 90+% marketshare wasn't the problem with MS and Windows. It was their dealings with OEMs and partners to harm Netscape and Sun that was why MS was convicted.

Right, and it's much easier to do so when you control a huge percentage of the mobile space. Again, my post was wondering if Apple would be able to resist that temptation.

Re:What does it do that Android doesn't do better?

[the linux geek]

WebOS, when implemented properly, is a better system than Android - Just Type and card-based multitasking are my favorite features. The problem is that hardware so far has been either plain bad (Pre, Pre2), unreleased until some far-future date (Pre3), or weird and niche (Veer.) I haven't had a chance to use a TouchPad yet, so I can't comment, but the problem is not the software.

Also, the amount that Slashdot users seem to love the idea of an Android monoculture is vaguely disturbing.

Re:Sad, but interesting

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

There's a difference between giving people technical options, and having a controlled App Store serve as the primary software source./quote.

That difference mainly being that we don't have a weekly story on Slashdot about how 10's of apps were pulled for being malicious.

Re:Sad, but interesting

[swalve]

The problem is, it isn't a computer. It's a giant smartphone minus the phone.

I don't have a problem with iOS. It seems to do what it does well. What I have a problem with are people (possibly not even Apple) trying to proclaim that iOS is some super productive computer operating system. "See, you just install all these apps, buy a keyboard, subscribe to a cloud service and modify your expectations, and it's nearly as good as a netbook!"

Re:Sad, but interesting

[node 3]

The one that is only coming out through the appstore?
Think about that for a while.

OH MY GOD, THEY ARE USING THEIR STORE TO SELL THEIR OS!!!

Seriously, they are moving all their software to the Mac App Store. This is a sign to you that they are about to shitcan a product, or move it to a "Pro" line? Please, explain your logic.

Re:Sad, but interesting

[node 3]

Protip: If you think Apple is about to end their highly popular Mac operating system, you just *might* be going insane.