In the wake of HP's decision to end development of its own webOS-powered hardware, and considerable doubts over the operating system's future, Microsoft has been offering webOS developers "what they need to be successful" on its own Windows Phone platform. Microsoft's Brandon Watson tweeted on Friday that phones, development tools, and training were all on offer to webOS developers looking for a new platform to work on.
Watson has been overwhelmed by the response. So far, close to 1,000 webOS developers have got in contact with him. The only stipulation is that the developers must have had their applications published in webOS's App Catalog.
This is the latest in a series of promotions by Watson to win over both users and developers alike. Similar offers have been extended to high-profile developers on other platforms, including iPhone jailbreaker George "geohot" Hotz. Watson has also offered Windows Phone hardware to celebrities that have publicly berated their iPhones or Android handsets.
Most recently, Dilbert author Scott Adams was given a Windows Phone, with Watson promising to make a $1,000 donation to a charity of Adams' choice if he didn't like it. The good news for Microsoft—though not for whichever charity Adams would have supported—was that Adams concluded, "If you want a smartphone that is easy to use, performs well, has a good battery life, and doesn't frustrate you, the Windows phone is the best choice of the three options [iPhone 3GS, HTC EVO 3D, Samsung Focus] I tested. All you give up is some hipster credibility and access to lesser-used apps."
Under HP's stewardship, webOS lacked two main things: corporate backing, and users. There's no doubt that Microsoft is heavily backing Windows Phone—something HP failed to do—and its developer outreach continues to be second to none. Users remain an issue, but the company is clearly in this for the long haul: an HP-style cut-and-run isn't on the cards.
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