HP partners with video conferencing firm, drops heavy mobile hints 68
Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:40 am EDT 
So HP seems to be on a bit of a buying spree as of late. Having just grabbed up the instant-on Hyperspace Linux OS from Phoenix Technologies, HP has turned around and partnered up with upstart video conferencing firm Vidyo. Vidyo’s current technology is very much desktop focused, with a strong focus on providing high-quality low-latency video streams for corporate customers.
Obviously, HP has a very strong corporate presence, as does Video (something the official press release talks up quite a bit). But their intentions with Vidyo’s software are unclear, as HP has confirmed that the first deployment of Vidyo conferencing software will be on the consumer-friendly TouchSmart line of touchscreen all-in-one desktops. That’s cool and all, but things get interesting once HP’s Halo (HP video conferencing) marketing manager Darren Podrabsky speaks up:
"No official statements from me, but this is a software-based technology. We've talked about the desktop. Think mobile. Think about your phone. HP just acquired Palm. Think about how many legs something like this has. Feel free to speculate."
And speculate we shall. Mobile video chat has always been some sort of holy grail, and at least from the appearance of things at last week’s WWDC conference, one Apple has jumped into wholeheartedly with FaceTime on the iPhone 4. Could HP be interested in baking video chat/conferencing into future Palm products? No doubt they are, but even adapting the software-based Vidyo technology to work well on a mobile device is no small feat, so don’t expect to see something from this right off the bat.
Via: WebOSroundup
Source: ChannelWeb
68 Comments
I'm waiting patiently for the next Palm phone. Could've gotten an EVO by now, but I hate to give up the webOS interface. I like what I see in this statement. Please make my wait worth it!
Well... we already know:
- The Hardware capability exists for mobile. (HTC EVO)
- The Network capability exists for mobile. (Sprint)
And to top it off... we know we have the best Mobile OS software available. (WebOS)
Let's just get all these things working together in a nice EVO Spec Blowout kind of way. :}
I agree. The good news is already trickling out.... And hpalm is not official yet.
our patience will pay off.
played with one of my users evo .... Impressive web browsing on large screen....but still runs inferior android.
This is a big hint how excited HP is about creating innovative solutions for future... And they have deep pockets :-).
Well that about outright states a new phone is on its way! Thank god i wont have to go to the evo.
Now this is what I've been wanting to hear! Ever since the Sony Ericcssons introduced it years ago, I wanted video calls on a phone of mine, and if Palm introduce it in their next phone... Oh man.
It sounds like they're really getting ready to blow everyone out with their next device.
Come to think of it now, they could easily release this with a software update or as an app. I don't see how it wouldn't be possible.
Sorry my ignorance...
But you don't have video calls in the US?
I bought my first video phone her in Spain in 2003 and all my phones had it until I bought my Pre last November, BUT I think I used it around 10 times in all that time...
The bummer is that you have to pay extra for a video call and that could be fixed now with the VideooIP, but it doesn't look like anything really new to me, isn't it?
JD
You could probably get it running on the current Pre/Pixi. However, I don't think any number of software updates or apps will make it function all that well without a front-facing camera!
Does this come with free unicorns?
Only with the two-year contract.
three-year contract for Canadians :p
Well, I don't get it what you've got with the unicorn thing.
looks to me like webos is going to be a big part of hps ecosystem. all these buyout just tells me there getting things ready to take over in a big way (holla if u here me) lol
"Feel free to speculate."
Thank you for the permission, sir! VIDEO CONFERENCING ON PRE 2 CONFIRMED!!!!!
:D
@glassadam
^^ This post = WIN!! lmao!
:)
Pretty damn sweeet =) I'm stoked for all the acquiring that HP has been doing as of late because most, if not all, can be tied into the next webOS smartphone - and guess what? I was told last Saturday by a Sprint Senior Store Manager while in a branch store checking out the Evo (for my fiance) that a new 4G/3G smartphone from Palm will hit Sprint before the holiday season. Why did he mention that? Well, he asked if I'll be getting an Evo too and I replied, "...no. I have this (pulls out my Pre) and I'll continue to have it until it explodes or Palm releases a new webOS phone." He then started giving details that "it will be better than the Evo" and that it will "definitely have a portrate keyboard...as one of it's form factors." That's all he could tell me. No name of the phone. No price. I didn't even care...I was just stoked that webOS will evolve this year w/ next gen hardware =) Be excited.
ps. ...this was a Sprint store in Ohio!
I heard similar "hints" at a sprint store this weekend as well. But what I overheard was not as detailed as the info you got. I didn't get a "phone maker" or a comparison to the Evo.
Still, looks like something big is coming soon to a Sprint store near all of us.
I live in Ohio which city were you in because i will love to know
CLEVELAND OHIO!!!!
But yeah, this pretty much confirms it for me, hp is interested in furthering webos development in the smartphone space. I realize it is still up in the air with the buyout not being complete and all, but the last few statements to come from hp exec's strongly suggests that we should be waiting for new hardware sometime, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Same here CLEVELAMD, O H I O !!!!!
There is a part of me expecting a new phone and Palms new vision to be announced when the takeover is completed. That will really get people excited. I am hope that is the reason why news from palm has been very quiet recently as they are getting ready for something big.
Sweet! I've heard people (from the UK) complain that mobile vid chat is not all it's cracked up to be since you get tired of holding the phone in your hand, blah, blah, blah.
I think this would be pretty nice and even better if the phone has a way to stand (Touchstone, kickstand like the Evo, whatever). Mobile computing has a very bright future indeed!
I Like It But How LONG??? WEbOS 3.0??
Ok ok, no other phones for me. Just please at least leak out the next webOS phone. In fact, I'll help Palm out. I'll leave it at a bar, and to be safe I'll make sure to get really drunk whilst doing it.
Now that sounds like a plan. 1st round on me!
Just to be clear, this is a partnership, not a purchase. Also, I would take any words about future product development out of the mouth of a "marketing manager" with a very large grain of salt...
No doubt :)
This small statement can go a long way on the blogosphere without actually committing HP to anything.
He apparently knows how to market...which is GREAT news. Either way, I am happy for the buzz though. Makes for interesting chatter.
nb
they are lining up the dots...it sure looks good. Can anybody say "unibody aluminum" please? LOL
unibody aluminum...please :)
Wan't one of the problems with the iPad was that the all metal case interfered with the radio antennas ability to get a good signal? I'd take a nice sturdy plastic, perhaps with a metal frame.
I would PREfer, glass with aluminium... hmmm lol
I'm thinking this may have already had groundwork laid into 1.5 personally, I think fall with the gpu ui awesomeness. Hell once the ui gets gpu acceration i'll be happy, wonder what overclocking that will be like!
almost a yr ago I was told to check out palms test market in asia because there was a slightly larger pre with forward facing cam for video chat, I wonder if palm already had an agreement with this company and hp signed a deal with them to tie up loose ends before the merger so they can jump to market right away.
feel free to speculate? Yeah that's a definite!
Nope, the asian one that looks like the Pre is NOT a pre, it runs a diff Os on it. nothing to do with Palm at all. there was a post on Precentral last year about that same phone.
@ Derek, I thought you had Sprint Pre. Your photoshop above of you calling Deiter is missing the button. And on that note, have you tried the compcache kernel yet? its Awesome. makes the Sprint Pre Minus act like a Pre Plus
It's not like I could use the non-existent front camera on my Pre to make the call... :P
plus it would also imply that you'd actually want to *video* chat with Dieter, and his gigantic head, at least in that pic. Sometimes it is good not seeing the person on the other end of the line!
Given the flaming that HP took over Mark Hurd's statements about it not buy Palm to be in the mobile phone business, I wonder if they are just being careful at every opportunity now to mention mobile phones at every chance they get?
Well, at least SOME people are hearing good things about Palm from their local sprint stores. I talked to a sprint employee just recently about how I love my Pre and how much they do, and all he had to say were bad things about Palm. He was saying how the pixi was the last phone palm would ever make because they're going out of business. When I asked him if he knew that HP was purchasing them he said it was just for licenses and they're ending Palm. And then he tried to sell me the EVO, and continued to tell me that android is the future, and web OS was dead before it ever began. At that point I was PISSED! He had the samsung moment as his personal phone (which my wife has), and I asked him what his precious android phone could do that mine couldn't. He was speechless, he just said "Android has a ton more apps and possibilities than Web OS". I have had an upgrade available for a while now, but I'm happy right where I'm at. So I told him I'll be back when HPalm releases their new device and left.
Backs up my theory that Palm and Sprint will never again wed on the Carrier/Manufacturer altar.
I feel more and more that if you want a future webOS device you will have to switch to another carrier...
Sprint pisses me off more and more everyday. You would never hear that kind of uneducated bias crap from a Verizon rep. Thank goodness Sprint turned me down for a job cuz I may be a little too overeducated for their backwards thinking. Sounds like he came up with that bullcrap in his bathroom mirror just for something to tell any Palm customer that came into his store! Instead of saying "WebOS is dead before it started" he could have ATLEAST attempted to sell you some accessories LOL!!
all i have to say, is that it just went from 6 to midnight in my pants... YESSSSSS
you legend...
that might be the best euphemism for that I have heard in years. LOL.
Stolen from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Funny, nonetheless...
So like, it turned "clockwise" to get to midnight? >.
well we need some new hardware to even dream about something like this.....
Video calling would be nice, but I'd much rather see Visual Voicemail. WTF happened with that, and how does WebOS not have it?
YouView VVM. App store.
Am I the only one that could care less about video calls on my phone? I know some people just have to have it but I cannot see myself using it at all. What am I missing?
I think youre the only one. Its exciting especially since itll pretty much be free with any data plan, unlike our European friends who have to pay per kb they use it!
He's definitely not the only one. Personally I don't see when I (or most people) would use it. I make most of my calls while walking someplace (videocall=bad) or driving (videocall=Darin award). If I'm someplace relaxing, why not just use Skype on a computer instead? Videocalling on a mobile is one of those things that sounds amazing in concept but when you actually consider the real world applications (and consequences, I.e. Morons who videocall while driving) it loses pretty much all the luster.
Well, we have kids and since my mom has cell service but no computer at home, it will be a nice way for us to share live vids of the grandchildren with her even when we're not at home.
Aside from that, for me, yeah, it's just something to play with (I only use video chat on the computer at work; and not that often).
Still, I never used a camcorder that much (just on vacation and stuff). Now, that it's pretty standard on most phones however, I find that I use it a lot. Maybe that will happen with mobile video chat. Who knows?
pre girls gone wild haha think of the possibilities !! 3 am bar closes I will have a fresh battery for the call I'll be about to receive!! wonder if you'll be able to record?? hmmm
I personally beluve that HP is gonna be the best thing to happen to Palm. Palm with a small budget made webos and the pre. Sure the hardware isn't top of the line, but that is where HP rolls in. HP can provide the hardware and most importantly the $$$$ to get top of the line products, plus advertising. From what it looks like to me HP wants to get head to head with Apple. And dominate the market such as Apple has done with ipods, iphones, ipads and etc. HP looks like it's gearing up to go full speed to the #1 spot, with PC's, netbooks/laptops, cameras, smartphones, and hopefully a tablet running WebOS. So lets see, for now I'm sticking with my WebOS and waiting on HP and Palm to announce some solid plans.
Thats EXACTLY what I am saying! HP is ready to steamroll the PC competition. I believe they have to concentrate on PC sales while implementing a plan of attack to be at the very top of the mountain. I believe that the new video conferencing software that they are going to use will hit the laptop and desktop market first since thats their number one money maker, perfect it there, then apply it to mobile phones. Palm/HP is going for the gold with the next phone and honestly, this is enough right now to keep me from switching to Android or Windows Phone!
I personally believe that HP is gonna be the best thing to happen to Palm. Palm with a small budget made webos and the pre. Sure the hardware isn't top of the line, but that is where HP rolls in. HP can provide the hardware and most importantly the $$$$ to get top of the line products, plus advertising. From what it looks like to me HP wants to go head to head with Apple. And dominate the market such as Apple has done with ipods, iphones, ipads and etc. HP looks like it's gearing up to go full speed to the #1 spot, with PC's, netbooks/laptops, cameras, smartphones, and hopefully a tablet running WebOS. So lets see, for now I'm sticking with my WebOS and waiting on HP and Palm to announce some solid plans.
I like the noises coming out of HP and the suggestive anecdotes from Sprint stores. I'm more inclined to believe those rumours mean new hardware is coming than not, and quite possibly this year. That's enough encouragement to hang on to my beloved Pre, especially since I still have gpu activation to look forward to even as I wait for new hardware.
i've said it before and i'll say it again: I'M KEEPING THE FAITH ALIVE!!!
Somebody buy Podrabsky a beer for speaking up and giving us some positive vapor to inhale. ahhhh vapor..... it's what dreams are made of.
Now lets start thinking about what to call the new device cause Pre 2 or c40 ain't gonna git er dun.
How about "The Miracle" as in we needed one.
Stallion ?? sounds fast but cheezy.
Think hypertasking (did I just make that word up?)
work brain work ...
Pre --> Present --> Post???
On a side note, I called into Sprint last week to complain about some text overages I got, like, a lot all of the sudden (I'm not one of those chronic complainers, but seriously $50 extra for TEXTS!), and was talking to the guy, who came from AT&T, he admitted. I said something about waiting for the next Palm phone, when he wanted me to use my free upgrade for an EVO. I was a tad insulted he thought he knew what I needed, but whatever. But to show his added level of ignorance, when I told him I was worried about "upgrading" to the 450m Unlimited plan (from my old piece-meal retention plan with 1400 min) because I use Google Voice (landline), he said he had never heard of Google Voice before. Bad sign for customer service.
How 'bout Phoenix? Palm phones will need to rise from the ashes.
Wow, that Marketing Manager couldn't have dropped a more obvious hint if he'd added, "wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more..." :D
you legend....
Haha yeah really!
This means you need New Hardware... Cuz there is no way in the world you can have a video conference on a credit card sized device. So developers can REALLY stop saying: "Theres nothing wrong with the Palm Pre....it's got everything." Keep up people you should NEVER put yourself in a last place position!!
when you say "before the holidays" I'll just assume that you mean the 4th of July for a new Palm device. Because they could not seriously wait until December could they? Motorola announced a 2 ghz smartphone during 2010. Palm will always be 1 generation behind. Can you say ColecoVision.
Im excited to see what HP has in store. I personally believe that they are now the best quality PC in the market, if not second behind Sony. Their marketing will suggest that theyre first. Do a comparison at Best Buy to the likes of Dell and Asus and you'll see what I'm talking about. HP understands that mobile everything is what the future holds. They would in no way buy Palm and abandon the OS. It just hasnt made any sense to me that writers have been worried about getting rid of Palm when HP mobile handset footprint is so small even before the buyout!
Ive sold European phones for the past few years and almost every smartphone has had a front-facing camera so its about time we get to use something like that! Now Im waiting for America to have video conferencing watches like Dick Tracy!!
You guys sound so desperate that your willing to twist anything in your minds into good news, lol!
they should call the next phone
Palm Pr