HP has finally made the right decision to open source WebOS mobile operating system. This move with further weaken Microsoft's prospects in the mobile segment where it is left with Nokia. It is expected that the move will also put WebOS against Google's open source Android, which is the leading mobile OS in the world.

However, WebOS will be a bigger threat to Microsoft's Windows than to Android. It is well known that mobile platforms are all about apps and Android is enjoying a massive app ecosystem. Both WebOS and Windows phones are in the same boat as they both failed to even scratch the surface of ever growing mobile market.

It is good news for the open source community as there will be yet another open source project. HP says that it will engage the open source community to help define the charter of the open source project under a set of operating principles. One of the main principles is to  to accelerate the open development of the webOS platform. HP said that it will be an active participant and investor in the project.

HP has yet not disclosed the license under which WebOS will be release.