“HP, a late participant in the smartphone frenzy, this week
announced the release of webOS 2.0, — an update to what was once
considered a groundbreaking mobile operating system — that will
serve as the backbone for its new Palm Pre 2 line of smartphones
and, eventually, its ambitious tablet PC plans.“Although the Palm Pre 2 will only be initially available in
France on carrier SFR starting Friday, HP (NYSE: HPQ) said it will
be available to U.S. consumer and enterprise customers in the next
few months via the Verizon Wireless network.“The debut of the new mobile OS and Palm Pre 2 mark the first
significant sign of life from HP on the smartphone front since it
completed its $1.2 billion acquisition of Palm back in April.”