HP Introduces webOS 2.0, the Next Generation of Mobile Innovation

HP has introduced HP webOS 2.0, considered to be the most significant update to the platform since its launch in 2009.

In addition, the first device to run webOS 2.0, HP’s new Palm Pre 2 smartphone, will be available Friday in France from SFR and is scheduled to be available in the coming months in the United States from Verizon Wireless (News - Alert) and in Canada.

“With webOS 2.0, we’re advancing the innovations we introduced 16 months ago, expanding the features that make webOS great for consumers, enterprises and developers,” said Jon Rubinstein, senior vice president and general manager for Palm Global Business Unit, HP. “We’ve made tremendous strides since the platform launched, and now we’re taking our biggest leap forward with powerful new features that make it easier to get more things done with your webOS device.”

webOS 2.0 offers consumers compelling application experiences not available on any other platform, while providing developers an unparalleled level of openness to integrate their applications and services, the company said.

HP also introduced the Palm Pre 2 smartphone, the latest evolution to the Palm Pre lineup. Pre 2 is the first Palm phone with a gigahertz processor and features a 5-megapixel camera, a glass screen and a sleeker, streamlined design that still gives users a combination of a vivid touchscreen and a slide-out keyboard.

The next generation of webOS makes it easier to get more done, such as:

True Multitasking:  webOS lets users easily manage multiple open applications and notifications using natural touch gestures.

Just Type: Start an e-mail, create a message, update your status, and search your favorite websites – all before you’ve even opened an app. And Just Type is open to developers, so they can integrate with the search function and add their own user-customizable shortcuts, called Quick Actions.

HP Synergy (News - Alert) – webOS was the first mobile OS to connect you seamlessly to multiple Web services. With the Synergy feature, you just have to sign in to your Facebook, Google, Microsoft Exchange, LinkedIn (News - Alert) and Yahoo accounts and your information automatically populates your phone.

webOS 2.0 will extend the support for Synergy so developers can easily plug new messaging, contacts and calendar application sources directly into the core webOS experiences.

Exhibition: A new way to use your webOS phone, Exhibition lets you run apps designed specifically for the Palm Touchstone (News - Alert) Charging Dock, turning charge time into useful time. Exhibition will enable developers to display aspects of their existing app experience or create specialized apps for use when users have their webOS device in charge mode on the charging dock.

Adobe Flash Player 10.1 Beta: With version 2.0, webOS now supports a beta of Adobe Flash Player 10.1 in the browser, which provides access to rich, Flash-based web content.