As the World's largest computer manufacturer, it is strange to me that HP would spend $1.2B to buy WebOS and Palm's patents and mobile hardware design talent, only to give out its sole marketable distinguishing characteristic to competitors. If any company is capable of exploiting WebOS's strengths with an array of skillfully designed and profitable hardware, it would seem that HP would be the one to do it.

If I was a potential OEM partner with HP, I would have to question their long-term commitment to the partnership; I would expect them to drop licensing and capture the hardware profits for themselves should the platform be successful and build a healthy software ecosystem.