Why webOS 2.0 goes to 11

Today, we announced the most significant update to webOS ever -- webOS 2.0 -- along with a new phone coming soon to several carriers. With 2.0, all the stuff you love about webOS ratchets up a few notches, along with lots of new goodies. (Some of these features will be available via over-the-air software update to webOS 2.0.) Here’s a quick rundown on what you can expect when the update becomes available for your phone:

The layered look is in
Multitasking is going for that layered look. The new Stacks feature in 2.0 automatically groups related cards together and stacks them to make it easier to navigate if you have lots of apps open.

When in doubt…Just Type
When you want to start a common activity in webOS -- compose an email, create a message, update your status, search your favorite websites -- all you have to do is start typing and webOS takes you there. And with the new Just Type enhancement, developers can now integrate these capabilities into all kinds of new apps.

Open Sesame
With the HP Synergy feature in webOS 2.0, developers can plug in new Messaging, Contacts and Calendar application sources so users can personalize their webOS experience with these new services.

Charge it
Just when you thought the Touchstone Charging Dock couldn’t get any cooler. The new Exhibition feature in webOS 2.0 lets apps adapt what they display and how they operate when your webOS device is in charge mode on the charging dock.

News: Flash!
With webOS 2.0, your browser can now display Flash content thanks to the Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Beta.

I’ve got a message for you…
The unified Messaging app in webOS 2.0 adds Yahoo! IM and buddy management. Also, Facebook 2.0 (available in the 2.0 App Catalog) will support Facebook IM via Synergy in the Messaging application, as well as Stacks, status updates via Quick Action and the Exhibition feature.

Work it
webOS 2.0 includes Quickoffice Connect Mobile Suite, with support for viewing Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint docs. It also integrates with services like Google Docs and Dropbox. Need to stay in touch with the office? webOS 2.0 supports IPsec and Cisco AnyConnect mobile optimized VPN.

Ripe for Skype
With webOS 2.0, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to use Skype Mobile for Skype-to-Skype calls and messaging.

webOS 2.0 will show up first on the new Palm Pre 2, also introduced today. Palm Pre 2 is faster -- the first Palm phone with a gigahertz processor -- and boasts a vivid touchscreen with a glass screen. It will be available Friday in France from SFR, and will be available in the coming months in the U.S. from Verizon Wireless and in Canada. Developers will be able to buy an unlocked UMTS version of Pre 2 in the U.S.

More information about the developer purchase program for Palm Pre 2 can be found here and more details on webOS 2.0 are available here.

Paul A., HP Palm PR

Comments

[Cyn]

Really? No Sprint love? That's very disappointing to all of us who jumped on the Pre bandwagon when it was first introduced. Looks like my next phone will be an android-based one.

[HLB]

Will Sprint get the Palm Pre 2?

[Florian Heinle]

When will WebOS 2.0 hit O2 Germany? Also, will it come with Skype? O2 Germany of course won't compete with Verizon in the USA.

[Jillian]

Eeeeeeck! I'm excited!! :D

[suburban_war]

This is the best day in Palm land since June 6th, 2009 (never forget!). I'll be crossing my fingers and waiting for more U.S. carrier announcements. Verizon botched the launch of the Pre Plus so badly, pressuring people to get Android phones instead of the Pre Plus on launch day. I can't do business with a company like that.

[Trixee H Davis]

I am confused why only Verizon wireless is the only carrier so far scheduled to get the Palm Pre 2. Sprint was the 1st carrier to have the palm why are there users having to wait? I am disappointed...maybe it's time to move on to an Andrid phone since Palm has no appreciation for Sprint users.

[How Americans]

So will webOS 2.0 be available to those of us who invested in the PRE and the Pixi? Or are we left in the cold on this one?

[Tim Stiffler-Dean]

Win! Been looking forward to this for a while, but I don't have to look forward to anything anymore, cause it's here!

[Brian Hochmuth]

Sprint customers get screwed again. Looks like my next phone will be an iPhone or android phone. Thanks for nothing palm and hp.

[Stuart Guthrie]

Awesome stuff Palm! I can't wait, it's going to be great!!!

[Martyn]

Cool, I will dig out my palm pre slung to the back of the draw when it couldn't deliver on its promises. Having not seen it for almost a year it should still have that "new" feeling, even more so with webOS2 and Flash. Heck, I might even forgive them - unless of course this is just another fantasy and palm pre owners are left waiting another 18 months for something significant to happen.

[Al Andrew]

GSM ! ! The world ? Hope HP doesn't pull a Palm move and forget the rest of the world this time ! ! !

[RoRo_O]

I can't believe that you aren't bringing this to Sprint first.

I was a loyal Palm fan and was so happy to get my Pixi. Rant & raved about webOS.Then you gave Verizon & AT&T customers Pre/Pixi Plus and gave us the shaft.

And once again while we wait for a newer phone and 2.0 to come to Sprint, you disappoint again.

I don't know if I can continue to play the fool for you Palm.

[Max Kraml]

I want pay-apps in Austria with webOS2 PLEASE!

[rob]

Things are not looking to good for Sprint... it's a real shame they are not better advocates for their customers.... I guess it serves them right...screwing over their current customer base in favor of attracting new customers... Sprint offers no incentives to their loyal customers, and give it all way to new people

[SeakStar]

no love for sprint?... as long as the iPhone doesnt come to sprint before the next HPalm device, i might be able to wait it out. thats the only phone im willing to switch to. android just doesnt cut it for me

[Musk]

I'm very excited about webOS 2.0 and the Pre 2. However, that joy is stained by the reality that Pre 2 isn't mentioned as coming to Sprint. This is not just a case of Sprint not getting the latest gadget... Sprint didn't get the previous Pre Plus either. The original Sprint Pre is slow and laggy because of its limited RAM and desperately needs a replacement.

[Tim]

Sprint users, Sprint is the party that decided not to carry the new Palm phone.

Let them know how you feel...
http://www.facebook.com/sprint

[Dinillo]

Everybody that was with you from day one on Sprint is now fooled again. This is so unfair I might as well call it a fraud. Thanks for nothing.

[Sean]

Typical BS of everything. If youre not a follower(ATT, Verizon user), you get screwed. I have been a sprint user for 11 years. Looks like it's time to go to Sprint REhab and make the switch and become a follower and wannabee. Iphone here I come.

[deeeee]

ok so now they forget all about the loyal sprint customers again?
another slap in the face. Nd with that I'll be moving on to android thanks palm :(

[Erik Fernandez]

I'm thinking palmhp will hok sprint up with the "REAL" new pre, bigger screen, hd vid capture=higher resolution, vid playback on tv, maybe front face cam, all the specs that we are hoping for in a new pre. The new pre 2 is just an updated webos and cam n better screen. But my pre wil work just the same with webos2.0. Palm didn't get the memo I guess "have 2 leap frog over the best phone currently on market, not stay level with or just below and hope webos wins out" pre 2 gonna have to b a $50 price tag to lure any buyers. SMH!!!!!

[Dan]

In case you didnt know or think about it Palm. 3/4 of your users are on Sprint. Not Verizon. Guess its android from this point. Not going to hold on my warn out Pre.

[Lee Toma]

I’ve been a WebOS fan since day one (and a Sprint customer for 11 yrs), and I’m glad to see that HP/Palm is still working on the platform. I suspect that you had another device (C40?) that for some reason wasn’t approved for production earlier this year, and the Pre2 is the back-up plan. I’m a little disappointed that Sprint isn’t lined up for the Pre2, but I hope this means that we will get something better - and soon!

I wish that there were more WebOS apps, but most are just not that compelling. It’s unfortunate that it has fallen so far behind the competition - WebOS has always been such a promising and elegant platform. But I have to admit that I keep an iPod touch, iPad and a jailbroken (off-network) iPhone - all of which I use more than the Pre. If Sprint does somehow get the iPhone before the next-gen Palm phone, I’ll probably jump ship - but for now I’ll stick with my Pre and hope you’ve got something better in the pipeline.

Wishing you all the best with the new OS and new hardware. Keep up the good work!

[Roger Jensen]

I've already switched to the Samsung Epic (Android) and I love it. But I still use my Pre for a few things, on WiFi. Can I update the Pre to version 2 of WebOS, since I can't do it over the air.