[rbanffy]

The biggest threat, by far, to WebOS is some Microsoft exec letting an HP exec know, casually, while they are, say, playing golf, that HP's Windows license could end up costing a bit more than Dell's because they are not really helping Windows Phone 7 become the success it deserves and helping WP7 would entitle a couple large discounts on other licenses.

Microsoft has enormous power on OEMs.

[spicerunner]

All of the antitrust stuff of the last decade has really tamed Microsoft. I'm not sure they'd do that. I really wanted to like Windows Phone 7, but have lost faith and think WebOS may have an opportunity to overtake them if HP plays their cards right.

Microsoft's biggest hope for penetration is the Nokia partnership. Two frightened dinosaurs huddling in a cave as the comet approaches...

[rbanffy]

> All of the antitrust stuff of the last decade has really tamed Microsoft.

That's why discussions like this would no longer happen over e-mail. On a open field, during a social encounter with no witnesses and no lasting evidence it ever happened, I am not so sure.

Microsoft has always used discounts to modulate OEM licensing costs.

[mikecane]

I really think those days are over for MS. They can't bully anyone around anymore.

[rbanffy]

OEM margins are still pretty low while volumes are very high and increasing. A small difference in Windows licensing can make a huge, bonus-defining, difference.

It's very dangerous to ignore their usual ways.