Despite - or maybe because of - the mess Autonomy's created, HP is considering using some of its Intelligent Data Operating Layer (IDOL) technology for a free online service for analyzing Big Data more or less in real-time, IDG says.

It heard it last Wednesday during a webcast HP held for customers to assure them it would continue to invest in Autonomy.

That was the day after it accused Autonomy of committing massive fraud and inflating its value before being acquired by HP for upwards of $11.1 billion a year ago.

HP EVP in charge of software George Kadifa reportedly said, "One area we're thinking about is delivering IDOL as a free service in specific areas, similar to the way you go to Google today and do a search. You'll be able to go to a web site with an IDOL feature where people can go and do some basic searches, with some basic unstructured data management around it. Some of our deep technologists want to do that because it broadens the concept of IDOL, not just across life sciences and social issues, but it provides...an element of social responsibility and value that we want to provide in the marketplace."

The idea is supposed to be in its early stages. HP also has to lay out a roadmap for Autonomy's 50-odd products and integrate some of the widgetry with its own software.

HP made webOS open source after it wrote it off.