webOS

If a quickly removed LG-sponsored website is to be believed, webOS might be about to make a comeback attempt. The website promotes a forthcoming development kit for webOS powered smartwatches. Given Samsung’s efforts to develop Tizen as a viable alternative to Android, LG making this move is plausible. WebOS’s card-like interface could be a strong fit for a small device.

WebOS has had quite a storied life. Originally developed and launched by Palm in 2009 as the operating system for its next generation smartphone, within a year it was purchased along with the rest of the company by HP.  At the time HP said it paid the $1.2B price largely for the new operating system. In February of 2011 HP announced it would use webOS on all of its devices and in March they announced webOS would be able to run inside of Windows. Six short months later though, HP announced plans to sell its PC business and abandon development of webOS. In 2013, LG entered into an agreement with HP to license the operating system. Currently LG uses webOS to power the company’s televisions.