LG WebOS (formerly LuneOS)

Main article: Operating systems

WebOS Linux is a mobile-based, Operating system proprietary development company that Palm replaced Palm OS. From 2010 to December 2011, it was developed by the company (HP after the takeover of Palm). Since 2013, control over the product has passed to the company. LG Electronics

2022: Detect vulnerabilities that provide access to privileged low-level APIs of the system environment

Discloses information vulnerabilities in an open webOS platform that can be used to gain access to privileged low-level API system environments TVs LG and other devices based on this platform. This became known on March 13, 2022. Attack is done by launching a non-privileged application that exploits vulnerabilities through access to internal APIs, and allows you to overwrite/read arbitrary or files perform other actions that the system APIs allow.

The first of the detected vulnerabilities allows you to circumvent the access restrictions on the Notification Manager API, and the second allows you to use Notification Manager to access other internal APIs that are not directly available to the user application. Problem CVE IDs have not yet been assigned. The ability to operate vulnerabilities is tested on the LG 65SM8500PLA with firmware based on webOS TV 05.10.30.

The essence of the first vulnerability is that by default, sending notifications to the webOS is allowed only to system services, but this restriction can be circumvented and send a notification from a non-privileged application using the luna-send-pub command (com.webos.lunasendpub). The second vulnerability is that by accessing the "luna :// com.webos.notification/createAlert" API with onclick, onclose, or onfail parameters, you can start any handler and, for example, get a call to the Download Manager system service, which is allowed to run only privileged applications, to download and save arbitrary files.

2021: Release webOS 6.0

On January 10, 2021, the company LG Electronics LG announced the release of webOS 6.0 for its smart-,, and TVs OLED QNED Mini LED NanoCell UHD 2021. With the Magic Remote, the updated smart TV platform offers updated features. The updated LG ThinQ module AI in webOS 6.0 provides voice support.

LG announces release of webOS 6.0 system

According to the company, the home screen has been updated, it provides quick access to frequently used applications and simplifies the process of searching for content through recommendations based on user preferences and viewing history. All of this is displayed in full screen mode. The updated homepage acts as the centerpiece and settings for the extended webOS ecosystem.

In addition to the updated design, the Magic Remote provides control when using voice recognition by integrating LG ThinQ AI-based options. The Magic Remote provides greater convenience and usability, including faster interfacing with the TV and other devices, as well as hotkeys to access content providers. The NFC Magic Tap feature on the Magic Remote allows a NFC-enabled smartphone to share content between its phones and TV.

Magic Remote

Magic Explorer - updated version of Magic Link from LG - offers the opportunity to familiarize yourself with additional information regarding what is displayed on the screen. The content dependent feature also allows you to purchase products offered by some LG air channels and television services, including Live TV, Gallery, as well as the Settings and TV guide options. This changes the color of the cursor each time Magic Explorer has the information it has to offer you.

The updated Next Picks feature analyzes viewers' preferences to find additional content that matches their tastes. Using the viewing history data, Next Picks offers two live programs from the content of broadcast or cable channels as recommendations. Also, the name of one of the offers of channels with video on request, or recommend the application^[1].

2018: Open Source

In March 2018, LG Electronics revealed the source code of the webOS. More precisely, the company released a version of Open Source Edition of its operating system. A similar scheme works for Android: Google supports both its own closed version and an open project, which is supplemented by everyone.

The webOS Open Source Edition platform is available to developers for free download. LG hopes that the new initiative will expand the scope of the OS.

LG released an open platform webOS Open Source Edition

Initially, the webOS was focused on use in televisions and household appliances with access to the Internet. With the advent of source codes in the public domain, the operating system will be installed in tablets, set top boxes and other consumer equipment, hope in LG.

webOS Has come a long way since appearing in Smart TV in 2013 and has now become a mature and stable platform ready to go beyond televisions, "says LG Technical Director I.P. Park. - Against the background of how we move from the application environment to the Internet, we are sure that the realization of the true potential of webOS is still ahead.

LG announced cooperation with the South Korean National IT   Industry  Promotion  Agency (NIPA) to find suitable business offers for webOS and provide all kinds of support (logistics, technical, etc.) to everyone who undertakes to create commercial products based on webOS.

LG says that developers are easy to master webOS, since the platform is based on the Linux kernel, like Android. However, the popularity of the promoted LG OS is still in question, given the small number of applications created for it - unlike the Android mentioned above. The South Korean manufacturer is ready to support developers interested in webOS Open Source Edition: a special site was created with a forum and tools for software development.^[2]

2017: LG webOS 3.5 version released

On May 16, 2017, LG Electronics announced certification for compliance with OS webOS 3.5, for TVs supporting Smart TV technology, general security criteria (CC) Application Security Solution version 1.0.

The company equipped webOS 3.5 with the Security Manager data protection module. According to the developers, he passed tests for compliance with general information security criteria. They are based on international standards ISO/IEC 15408 and are used by government agencies, banks and other organizations to assess the level of security of software products.

During the tests, three aspects of the safety of the Smart TV platform were checked:

• Application Installation Security
• work
• reliability of content copyright protection through Digital Rights Management (DRM) encryption technology.

LG webOS 3.5 showed the level of protection when installing applications. It blocks the ability to install unauthorized programs by controlling digital signatures. The LG application server generates electronic signatures and webOS 3.5 can download applications only from the LG ContentStore store. The OS also provides the required security for applications of various types, both system and web applications.

For system applications, webOS 3.5 uses isolation technology. Based on the security attributes of each offer, access to system folders and files, other files on the device, and other information is blocked. LG webOS 3.5 allows applications to use only permitted API functions and does not allow them direct access to the file system where personal data is stored. In addition, the latest version of the webOS implements an effective license control and digital copyright management (DRM) process. Content decryption is performed in RAM, only an encrypted backup is stored in the flash memory.

We have taken all possible measures to ensure that webOS 3.5 provides the highest possible level of application security and personal data protection. Responding to the needs of consumers for information security, we further strengthened the protection of our platform for TVs with Smart TV technology. Obtaining a certificate of compliance with general information security requirements shows that in terms of information and personal data protection we are on the right path.

Advertising webOS 3.5, (2017)

2014: HP completes support for WebOS and its services

On October 16, 2014, Hewlett-Packard announced the end of the operating system life cycle LuneOS (WebOS) from January 15, 2015. From this day onwards, application downloads from HP App Catalog became unavailable for device users on the WebOS platform - it will be closed, and, for the same reason, they cannot continue to use the backup feature in the cloud.

2013

HP sold webOS to LG

LG Electronics intends to use the webOS operating system in smart TVs. LG will have at its disposal the system source codes and other HP assets related to the webOS. The webOS developers who have remained in HP so far will also go to work in LG. The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.^[3]

Open source projects Open webOS and Enyo are also moving to LG. HP still has all Palm assets related to cloud systems - source codes, infrastructure, employees and contracts.

LG expects to demonstrate televisions with webOS very soon, but they do not yet name exact dates. Meanwhile, the production of TVs with the Google TV system will continue.

Developers will webOS work in LG laboratories in Silicon Valley, according to the company. The group, among others, includes specialists in user interfaces. LG highly appreciates the network and multitasking capabilities of the webOS, as well as the interface convenient for the TV screen.

LuneOS - a new name WebOS

September 1, 2014 released version WebOS under the new name LuneOS. The group of development of the Open WebOS project declared renaming of the open WebOS operating system into LuneOS.

WebOS Interface

The OS is named after the component LunaSysMgr, which is responsible for many elements of the graphical interface in the original version WebOS. Developers, however, replaced this and other components of the system. So, the level of the Radio Interface Layer (RIL) radio interface and graphic drivers are borrowed from Android to facilitate porting the system to Android devices.

The developers emphasized that they see their task in the further development of the mobile operating system so far it is supported by Google Nexus 4, HP TouchPad, Galaxy Nexus, 2012 Nexus 7 and are not going to copy the functionality of Android, iOS, but want to create an OS that meets the basic needs of mobile users of these devices.

All versions of the LuneOS will be named after coffee drinks and the first version is called Affogato. It is available for download and installation on Nexus 4, Galaxy Nexus smartphones and HP TouchPad and Nexus 7 tablets.

2012: HP Fires Half of Developers webOS

In February 2012, Hewlett-Packard announced its intention to reduce about 275 employees of the webOS operating system development unit, purchased by HP along with smartphone manufacturer Palm in 2010, the webOS Nation website reported, citing an official source. The division includes about 500 developers. Thus, more than half will be deprived of their jobs. HP explained its move by the fact that in the way of transforming webOS into an open platform, resource requirements are decreasing; and now they no longer need to maintain a full staff of developers and related specialists.

2011

Open OS Code

HP webOS is optimized for touchscreen devices. The OS includes standard personal information management software. The main distinguishing feature of HP webOS OS is the ability of programs written in HTML and JavaScript to access the system functions of the operating system.

Developers software for HP webOS use the webOS SDK and - API interface development environment for Web applications. Technology is widely used for programming, and HTML 5. JavaScript Access to CSS the hardware part of the device is provided using the script language JavaScript. There is also an official PDK environment that allows you to port (transfer) programs, individual components and entire computer games written in languages ​ ​ or. C C++ It is important for HTML/CSS developers to know that HP webOS browser uses the WebKit engine in the embedded web, and the V8 JavaScript engine.

On December 9, 2011, HP announced the opening of operating system code. According to the president of the company Meg Whitman, realizing this initiative, HP allows freedom of creativity to community of application developers with an open source code, encouraging development of new generation of programs and devices.

The source code of the WebOS will be available under the terms of the open-source license and third-party developers, partners, HP engineers will be able to "bring improvements and new versions of the product to the market." The company also intends to take an "active part in this and continue to invest in the project."  Most conversations are about transferring WebOS to Android phones. However, it is unclear how long such a project may take. HP must first make the WebOS code available, and when it does, it does not report. 

HP Unit Sale Rumors

The board of Hewlett-Packard is considering selling the mobile operating system division webOS, the agency said in November 2011 Reuters , citing four informed sources. Legal support HP in this case is provided by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The deal could bring HP hundreds of millions, dollars but likely less than the $1.2 billion the company paid to acquire Palm in July 2010, sources said. According  to sources, several IT companies have already expressed their interest in acquiring the HP division, including due to the presence of a number of patents from WebOS. Among those concerned, a corporation is mentioned. Oracle 

Smartphones and the unsuccessful HP TouchPad tablet

• Smartphone HP Veer - first shown on February 9, 2011. Start of Sales - May 15, 2011
• HP Pre 3 smartphone - first shown on February 9, 2011. Start of sales - summer 2011.
• HP TouchPad Internet Tablet - first shown on February 9, 2011. The start of sales - July 1, 2011, but a few weeks later disappeared from sale.

The main competitors of HP webOS at this time are Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry OS Microsoft Windows Phone, Nokia Symbian OS, and Samsung Bada various derivative OS Linux, for example: Google Android LiMo Platform, Access Linux Platform Maemo, MeeGo Mobilinux and OpenMoko.

HP announces WebOS 3.0

On February 9, 2011, in San Francisco, Hewlett-Packard announced the release of webOS 3.0 at the presentation of new devices on the webOS. With the advent of webOS 3.0, the Touch-to-share function was implemented. Thanks to it, an image can be displayed on the tablet from the smartphone display (HP Veer or Pre 3), for this you only need to place the smartphone on top of the HP TouchPad tablet. Release date is not known.

HP webOS, in addition to smartphones, is intended for use in Internet tablets, especially considering that this OS uses an API for Web applications. After the acquisition of Palm, Inc. by Hewlett-Packard, it became known that Hewlett-Packard, in addition to the Palm Pre smartphone competing with Apple iPhone, is going to release its Internet tablet competing with Apple iPad, based on the HP webOS operating system. Later, a novelty under the name HP TouchPad appeared in February 2011. In addition, Hewlett-Packard CEO Mark Hurd, speaking at the conference, said the webOS operating system will allow the company to release "tens of millions of small web devices" connected to the Internet that will surround a person in his daily life.

2010

WebOS 2.0

On July 25, 2010, Palm CEO John Rubinstein, who moved to HP after acquiring HP from Palm, said in an interview with Fortune magazine that the release of the new version of webOS - webOS 2.0 will take place in the fourth quarter of 2010.

On October 19, 2010, HP officially introduced the webOS 2.0 and the new Palm Pre 2 smartphone. Along with this event, there was a name change from Palm webOS to HP webOS. And a little later, HP announced that all previously released webOS smartphones will receive version 2.0 in the coming months. One of the most significant innovations is the Synergy feature, designed to keep address books and work calendars up to date. Synergy allows automatic synchronization of Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Yahoo and Microsoft Exchange data with a mobile device. If you change contact information in one of these sources, the updated data will quickly arrive on the smartphone. Stacks technology allows you to multitask on a mobile platform. For example, when you open a web page or create a new calendar event based on information from an email, users can combine the corresponding objects into a separate "stack."

The Just Type mechanism allows you to start typing before opening the corresponding application. After entering the necessary information, the phone owner will be able to use Quick Action to quickly send data by email or instant message, as well as use them as a search query. The new version of webOS supports the beta version of Flash Player 10.1. Verizon subscribers will be able to use the Skype Mobile application for voice calls of the Skype-to-Skype format, chat with friends and make long-distance calls at a reduced price. This functionality is the result of a close partnership between Verizon and Skype.

The QuickOffice Connect document viewer is now also available to webOS users. The platform includes an updated web browser based on the WebKit engine, which has advanced support for HTML5 and geolocation services. The mobile OS provides advanced device connectivity to enterprise networks and offers support for secure IPsec and Cisco AnyConnect VPN connections. webOS 2.0 supports keyboards and other Bluetooth peripherals.

The first device running webOS 2.0 was the Palm Pre 2 smartphone, which was released in October 2010.

HP acquired Palm for $1.2 billion along with webOS

On April 29, 2010, Hewlett-Packard acquired Palm, Inc. for $1.2 billion, along with its webOS. It was reported that HP will not abandon the platform webOS and will deal with its development and the release of devices based on it.

Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus smartphones

In 2010, at CES, Palm announced the improvement of the webOS platform. The result of the work was the possibility of serious game applications appearing on devices running this operating system. In particular, the exhibition showed such games as The Sims 3, Need for Speed: Undercover, FIFA 2010, etc.

• Palm Pixi Plus smartphone - released in March 2010.

2009: Palm Pre and Palm Pixi - the first devices on the webOS

On January 8, 2009, at the CES exhibition in Las Vegas, a new version of the operating system based on the Linux kernel, called Palm webOS, was introduced, as well as the first smartphone in which this OS will be used - Palm Pre (for the American market).

On February 11, 2009, at an investor conference, Ed Colligan noted that Palm would no longer produce products based on the old Palm OS, and all the company's efforts would be aimed at developing the Palm webOS platform. Palm also released the Palm OS emulator for webOS - Classic. It will allow you to use the existing software for Palm OS in the new operating system.

The Palm Pixi smartphone was released in September 2009.

2004-2006

• In 2004, PalmSource, the developer of Palm OS, announced that the next version of Palm OS will be a graphical add-on over the Linux kernel (Palm OS on Linux project). Binary support for applications written for previous versions of Palm OS through the use of an emulator was also promised.

• In May 2005, PalmSource sold the rights to the name "Palm" to palmOne, a smartphone manufacturer, and itself became part of the Japanese company ACCESS Co., Ltd.. And the new version of the operating system, based on the Linux kernel, became known as ALP (Access Linux Platform).

• In December 2006, Palm (the new "old" name for palmOne) purchased $44 million from ACCESS Co., Ltd. an indefinite license for the source code of Palm OS 5.4 Garnet, allowing it to modify and use it in any of its mobile devices. However, Palm refused to license Access Linux Platform and began developing its own version of the operating system based on the Linux kernel. However, both companies stated that they would make every effort to maintain software compatibility with the ACCESS product.

Links

Official website of Web OS developers

Notes