The WebOS 2.0 beta and a software developers' kit (SDK) has been pushed out to app creators. The release version of the operating system is planned for later this year.
webOS was the main attraction for HP when it acquired Palm in July. A successful release will be necessary if the company is to turn the system into the major success it hopes for.
The announcement of a 2010 debut is stoking up interest in HP's announcement of a tablet release, slated for early next year. The company did not specify which operating system would be used but the timings of the events imply that this could be the one.
webOS attracted praise for its card-based multitasking feature. In the upgrade, this is extended by stacking the cards with user links running between them. The result is faster multitasking, HP claimed.
The systems search feature has been renamed "Just Type." As the title implies, apps can be found and launched by typing in their names. This is being extended to allow developers to use the facility within their apps and an auto-suggest capability will be added to speed up the search process.
The Just Type concept has also been incorporated as Quick Actions, a new feature allowing emails, SMS texts and social networking messages to be initiated from the keyboard.
Another groundbreaking feature of the original WebOS was Synergy, which has since been adopted in various forms by rivals. Synergy allowed contact data to be synchronised with social networks and other services. This has been extended to allow apps to share their data in a similar way.
The SDK allows developers to combine C, C++, JavaScript and HTML5 elements into apps and plug-ins.
