Agreed! Android is Linux + Java, Chumby is Linux + Flash, webOS is Linux + Webkit ( and iOS is...different). Definitely prefer the webOS option, and there aren't that many other permutations.

Unlike the other options, webOS is composed of two open source projects. What prevents someone from knitting them together, with a little hardware interfacing? Would it be legally problematic to attempt to make an OS that was compatible with the existing webOS apps?

Well Java was supposed to be open source, too, until Oracle sh!t on it, that is.

Such a move from a CEO that just canned the whole thing after paying 1.2B to acquire it?

Not likely.

I agree. I think it could make for a very interesting desktop OS, if done right.