HP CEO Leo Apotheker has stated that he would entertain the idea of licensing WebOS to other manufacturers.

With version 3.0 of the system already set to launch on the Pre 3 phone, and HP’s TouchPad tablet, Apotheker revealed he would be open to allowing other companies, including HTC, to use it as well, stating:

"I happen to believe that WebOS is a uniquely outstanding operating system. It's not correct to believe that it should only be on HP devices."

Apotheker also spoke of the integration of WebOS into consumer products beyond smartphones, saying appliances could be networked together and use WebOS to communicate with each other and for user interaction.

Although most contracts will surely be tied up in businesses, Apotheker’s words have clearly opened the door for other manufacturers to come in and negotiate the use of WebOS as a platform.