Next steps for the webOS developer community
Earlier today, we unveiled three new webOS products and shared our vision for how HP webOS will intelligently connect a broad range of devices across your digital universe. The invited guests who shared the stage with the HP team give you a sense of just how diverse that universe is: Jeffrey Katzenberg (CEO of Dreamworks), Jimmy Iovine (Chairman, Interscope, Geffen, A&M), Randall Rothenberg (Chief Digital Officer, Time Inc.), and in the audience tennis superstar Serena Williams.
This evening, we had another gathering for a different part of the webOS community: our developers. The over 500 webOS developers in attendance had the chance to hear about how the HP will be helping them build and market the apps to run on all of those web-connected devices.
In addition to an overview of Enyo and other tools for webOS app development, those in attendance also heard about another key part of the strategy for growing and helping the developer community succeed: Richard Kerris, HP’s new VP/Head of Worldwide Developer Relations for webOS.
Richard comes to HP most recently from LucasFilm where, as Chief Technology Officer, he found innovative ways to leverage technology developed internally across the various LucasFilm business units, such as Industrial Light & Magic and LucasArts. Leading the team that engages with the developer community for all webOS devices, he defines his goal as “nurturing the passion that’s been sparked by webOS while helping developers find ways to thrive by engaging with the many different opportunities that HP can create for them.”
Richard faced a similar challenge earlier in his career when he led the team that helped developers migrate to OS X. But he sees the opportunity with webOS a little differently: "I'm excited about the potential for this growing ecosystem of devices. The road will be tough at times, but the payoff will be huge -- and we'll get there by listening to and working with our developers."
Echoing that philosophy of putting the developer first, the gathering was decorated with a series of posters each of which was inspired by a different webOS app. Developers who'd like their own copy of this whimsical and inspiring artwork can get in touch with devmarketing@palm.com.
Jon Zilber