HP Bringing WebOS to PCs in 2012

Hewlet-Packard CEO Leo Apotheker says his company will include its WebOS operating system in all HP computers starting in 2012.

HP, which purchased Palm in 2010 for $1.2 billion, plans to expand its mobile OS beyond smartphones and tablets. The operating system is currently available in HP's Pre 2, and future phones like the Pre 3 and Veer will also offer it. In February, HP announced its TouchPad tablet, which, upon its release will be the first non-smartphone to feature the operating system.

The move to personal computers would not come at the expense of Microsoft, however. HP plans to include its WebOS platform in addition to Windows, not instead of it.

Apotheker told Businessweek that expanding WebOS to a variety of devices would allow the platform to better separate itself from platforms like Android and iOS. Currently, iOS lags behind its competitors with an estimated 3,500 apps. Android and iOS, by contrast hold 250,000 and 350,000, respectively.

HP's expansion is a part of the company's renewed focus on software, a move spearheaded by the company's new CEO. Prior to joining

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