14 DAY TRIAL // Without a doubt, HP's release of its latest webOS devices is one of the most important pieces of news today (that TouchPad tablet being especially interesting), but during the launch event, the company also provided some very interesting information related to the future of this operating system, that might arrive on a multitude of platforms and form factors.
So, as Engadget reveals, HP's official presentation actually included the slide you can see for yourselves in the photo, that quite clearly and directly suggests the fact that the operating system will make its way to desktop AIO PCs and notebooks alike.
Furthermore, the company's representatives also stated that they plan to load webOS on “other connected devices, including printers, and some form factors you haven't seen before”, although keeping quite mum on just what the nature of the other future devices (beside printers, that is) will ultimately be.
Naturally, HP's teaser photo is certain going to give rise to quite a serious amount of speculation, especially since the webOS is, after all, an operating system designed specifically for use on mobile, low-power, non-x86 solutions.
However, if HP actually does port the webOS to x86 systems, it might pit it directly against the Chrome OS developed by Google and install it on its low-power systems.
There's also another possible explanation, namely the fact that webOS will, in fact, arrive on the company's notebooks and AIO PCs, but only in the form of some sort of fast-boot, instant-on, Splashtop-like OS, only used in those cases when users only want to do some fast Internet browsing or e-mail checking.
Of course, only time will tell what HP's plans actually are, but it seems that all will be revealed over the course of 2011, which makes the company one to watch closely this year.