webOS is Dead, Long Live Gram

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It looks like HP did not give up on the mobile dream-- an internal email from senior HP VP Martin Risau obtained by webOS Nation details how the webOS Global Business Unit (aka Palm) is turning into internal startup "Gram."

gram“We are no longer a consumer hardware brand," Risau writes. "We are a different company with a focus on software, user experience, cloud, engineering and partnering.” That rules out HP making mobile devices, then. 

HP donated the webOS source code to the open source community back in December 2011, but kept the webOS GBU as a business unit. However Gram is a quasi-independent entity under the larger HP umbrella... and purse strings. 

Risau gives no details on what Gram will work on (the company is "in stealth mode") but apparently the company not only has webOS, but also Enyo development tools and the separate webOS group cloud services team. It is also looking for new hires. 

Is HP taking a second stab at taking on the mobile market after failing to make the initial Windows RT OEM partner list? Or will Gram createl something more interesting than a mere iOS/Android/Win RT rival? 

Go webOS GBU to Become Quasi-Independent Cloud and UX Company (webOS Nation)