HP announced today, HP webOS Pivot, a way of providing users an “entertaining and informative editorial resource for discovering webOS 3.0 applications” for the HP TouchPad. It’s expected to launch on July 1st. Pivot is designed to complement the HP webOS App Catalog and will help its users with app discovery by showcasing a broad range of applications based on their interests and lifestyles and the developers who create them.
In a nutshell, HP is taking developers seriously and this is just another weapon in their arsenal to make the TouchPad and webOS in general a success. Is it enough? In the Tablet space it’s becoming increasingly apparent that consumers don’t want Tablets, they want iPads. To be fair, their only real choices have been iOS and Android, and on Tablets, Android still lacks the critical polish it needs. What’s more, Android tablets may never get the polish and support because manufacturers look like they’re losing a bit of interest. Make no mistake about it, there is still a chance for webOS to achieve under HP what it failed under Palm. And from what we’ve seen so far, we have reason to be intrigued with the TouchPad. Color me cautiously optimistic. You can read the full press release for more details on Pivot after the jump.
FULL PRESS RELEASE
HP Announces webOS Pivot for HP TouchPad Company enhances webOS Developer Program with new updates
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 23, 2011 – HP today announced HP webOS Pivot, providing users an entertaining and informative editorial resource for discovering webOS 3.0 applications for the HP TouchPad, which launches July 1.
Designed to complement the HP webOS App Catalog, Pivot will showcase a broad range of applications – and the developers who create them – by providing customers the freedom to explore based on their interests and lifestyles. It’s just one of the new ways HP is enhancing the webOS Developer Program and investing further in the success of the growing ecosystem.
“Pivot brings app discovery to a new level for customers and developers alike,” said Richard Kerris, vice president, webOS Worldwide Developer Relations, HP. “We want our partners to experience webOS as the growing platform of opportunity, and we’re investing in new ways to help market their applications on our platform.”
Published on a monthly basis, Pivot is designed to broaden developer exposure and create a dynamic marketplace for the burgeoning webOS developer community. Consisting of original content by journalists and photographers affiliated with leading publications, Pivot will include visually driven editorial pieces, columns from notable guest writers sharing their perspectives on digital culture, feature stories focused on applications around specific topics, and in-depth reviews – all accompanied by vibrant photos and illustrations on HP TouchPad’s brilliant screen. Content will be catered to the specific interests and requirements of a given region, appealing to a wide range of international customers.
Pivot will publish initially for English, French, German and Spanish languages and will be updated over the air directly to all HP TouchPad customers.
“Pivot has the right focus,” said Joe Simon, chief technology officer, Conde Nast. “It provides an enriching experience for customers and is a great environment for developers considering the platform.”
Investing in webOS developer success
The webOS Developer Program enhancements also include a new discount structure. Developers will have access to this pricing model based on their years in the Palm developer program and active applications in the webOS App Catalog.
“Working with HP and the webOS ecosystem has been fantastic,” said Haden Blackman, co-president and chief creative officer of Fearless Studios, a game company recently started by Blackman and fellow LucasArts alum, Cedrick Collomb. “It’s a perfect fit with our core values as a company – creative risks mitigated by smart technology choices. Because the platform is so accessible and developer-friendly, we’ve been able to build the game we want to build.”
“We love the TouchPad and the webOS platform for game development,” added Collomb, chief technology officer, Fearless Studios. “It’s built from the ground up for seamless connectivity between devices and it’s an open platform, which makes development that much easier.”
HP TouchPad availability
The Wi-Fi version of HP TouchPad(1) will be available in stores and online in the United States on July 1 with the option of either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage(2) for $499.99 and $599.99, respectively.(3) HP TouchPad will be available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany on July 2 and in Canada on July 15, with availability scheduled to follow later this year in Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore and Spain.
More information about HP TouchPad is available at www.hp.com/touchpad.
HP webOS Developer Program
Complete details about the updated developer programs will be available on the HP webOS Developer Portal beginning July 1.
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