LG Teases WebOS Software For Smartwatches

Remember the operating system WebOS? It's OK if you don't; you may have a chance to get familiar with it once again on an upcoming smartwatch by LG Electronics. Clues that LG may be working on a WebOS-powered smartwatch surfaced on its developer website recently, where the Korean manufacturer teased development for the software.

Years ago, WebOS was an open-source smartphone software developed by Palm, but the company eventually sold the system to Hewlett-Packard, which then sold it to LG. LG has indicated plans of using WebOS on its SmartTVs.

It is uncertain whether WebOS for smartwatches is a project that will actually get off the ground. LG has since removed the developer page from its servers and said in a statement that "there are many initiatives going on at LG at any given moment. The majority of them never see the light of day."

But a tech enthusiast can dream, right? LG got on the ground floor with smartwatch development with its LG G Watch and will be releasing a second wearable called the G Watch R later in October; both watches are powered by Google's Android Wear. Possible experimentation with WebOS on LG's part could indicate that the manufacturer is looking into system options outside of Android, which is common for hardware makers these days. Similarly, Samsung Electronics has been developing its own operating system called Tizen, which is largely featured on its smartwatches, which include the Galaxy Gear, the Gear 2, the Gear 2 Neo, the Gear Fit and the Gear Live.

In the wake of Apple launching its own Apple Watch, competitors are expected to step up their game on smartwatch development. Smartwatches have been on the market for about a year, with several companies releasing their interpretation of the wearable and how it should work. Many smartwatches serve as fitness companions and shortcuts to smartphone usage, in addition to telling time. But smartwatches have yet to become a mainstay on the market.

"We love to make new products that improve people's lives," said Apple CEO Tim Cook during the launch of the Apple Watch. "We think it will redefine what people expect from the category."