Palm's Directors of Developer Relations "Really Thrilled" about HP deal 22
Palm’s Ben Galbraith and Dion Almaer, directors of developer relations at Palm, took some time near the end of the third episode of their Palm Developer Podcast Series to talk not only about the Palm Developer Day event, but also the announced HP acquisition.
After a bit of silliness (hawking HP printers, ink and even paper), they both spoke extremely positively about what the HP deal might mean for the company and its developer community.
Ben: “We couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities that this merger opens up for developers. We are…really thrilled about what’s possible here….“If the deal goes through, we will be with the largest technology company in the planet.”
Dion: “webOS is this amazing but very young operating system, and now, with a parent like HP, if all of this goes through, we’ll have the runway to do amazing things. You guys have kind of gotten in in the ground floor, and I think where we take things from here, is going to be an amazing fantastic way.”
While they also pointed out that, “thanks to the legal system being what it is,” they couldn’t say much more, they seemed genuinely enthusiastic about HP and its plans for Palm. (Dion’s offer at the end of the video, “Use webOS, get a free HP printer,” should probably not be taken seriously, though.)
The discussion starts at about 44 minutes into the video, after the break!
22 Comments
This vid makes me even more excited now!
I can't wait for the hurricane! Scorpions are my new ring tone! Lol guess i'll be getting a new hp printer also though lol this is gunna be great, hp will be cool again lol
Did we really expect them to say they were bummed out by the HP deal and hoped that it fell through or we would be looking at the end of Palm and webOS?
If they didn't like the deal, they could have left the company. Glad they're staying.
I'm sure they're not bummed out that they now have job security and that the company and products they had been working on will endure, most likely with them continuing to work on them. It's not like Palm was doing great and this was a hostile takeover.
I'm kind of concerned about the repeating reservation we seems to be served every now and then. Not to pleased with; "If the deal goes through ..." | "... if all of this goes through ...
There's still the possibility of another company making a better offer. It is extremely unlikely, but the possibility remains. It won't be much longer, though, before the merger is official and there won't be any more "if the deal goes through" statements.
'autodidact' - just remember the Yogi-ism 'It ain't over till it's over'. It applies in all attempted and/or completed business mergers and acquisitions. It's like a wedding; both bride and groom are expected to show up and go through the ceremony but, every once in a while there's a runaway bride or a groom with cold feet. :-)
True ...
Let's just hope the board don't see value in pure money, but see the value of what HP can can offer beyond that.
One thing is for sure, Jon & the ex Apple folks did have some cool products in the pipeline. Unfortunately they have no money to survive for couple of years. The Pre failed to sell like iPhone. They couldn't raise any more money. Hence the deal. I am 100% sure that they have couple of more phones plus a Tablet and may be printers.
Palm deserves credit for, only 1000 employees working their ass off to come up with two phones and and WebOS on multiple carriers across the world. These two guys are ultimate insiders. They know that they have something up to shake the market.
It also gives them a kick to stand up to Apple with HP's money behind.
I'm def still pumped
So you bought high??? I would love to know all the things they are working on.
I don't understand any of what these guys are talking about, but love listening anyway lol
Elevations partners were the ones putting him in there, and if an acquisition were in place they would have been the first people interested on making far more money than they will finally do.
I really doubt some other company would have bought palm for more much money, and when elevation partners entered in palm the shares were not any better than what HP is going to pay for them.
So wharever.
Update:. And btw, when elevation partners entered they helped palm hire (and or support) a group of people that ended doing whats probably the best mobile OS at present, with one of the most friendly and supporting developer relation teams and with a passion for TASTE and innovation that very few companies with far more resources and money have today.
So wanting palm not merge with HP but DIE just because the shares are only slighty higher than when they entered in palm is beyond a joke. They sure are the first concerned about it.
This is quite a boost for those who are discouraged.
so they tell us that the phone will be able to print. is this revolutionary or what. that will push all the upcoming phones to the past. go hp palm
BIG THINGS. I MEAN VERY BIG THINGS. YA HERE!!!!!
Realistic translation:
"We are so thrilled that we will still have jobs. If the deal goes through, we will still have the paychecks coming in, and maybe a nice retention bonus. The job market is not that great, you know..."
You say that like it's some insightful translation on your part. Of course they're thrilled they get to keep their jobs. Wouldn't you be?
What's with all the cynicism here today?
lol
Oh well, these two guys are smart, they managed to keep their jobs. They can get a job anywhere.
About a month ago I handed something I printed to someone and they said "Oooh, your office has great paper." I told them I bought the paper for home and thanks.
I just checked, it is HP Inkjet Paper. I bought the ream a year ago.