HP is the world’s largest PC vendor company and because of this, they have a big attachment with Microsoft. But after acquiring Palm, HP wants to bring WebOS upto competition against iPhone’s iOS, Android and also Windows Phone 7. HP has clearly stated that they won’t make smartphones for both Web OS and Windows Phone 7, instead they’ll just make devices for Web OS. This move is not surprising as HP has just acquired Palm and Web OS for $1.2 billion and now they want to use it.
HP Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley told CNBC in an interview about HP’s plans for their smartphones. Here’s the entire exchange:
Q: Can you make webOS successful with developers when you’re selling Windows Phone 7, maybe Android or Linux at the same time?
A: We continue to be Microsoft’s biggest customer, and we continue to believe we will drive innovation with Microsoft. At the same time, I think it’s clear to say, that we’re very focused on the customer, and giving the customer the experience that’s important to them. We won’t do — will not do a Linux / Android phone. We won’t do a Microsoft phone.
Q: So no Windows Phone 7?
A: We will continue to more broadly deliver the webOS-based phones that are in the market today, and Jon and his team have driven a strong roadmap for the future.
Q: So does that mean you’re going webOS only for phones?
A: For smartphones it does. Our intent is to focus those resources and really make webOS the best OS it can be.
With this move, Microsoft would lose a huge partner for Windows Phone 7 devices. The move was really expected as still there is a good time in the launch of Windows Phone 7 and we don’t know what would be its future. HP, after spending billions of dollars, now wants to cash on Palm Web OS.
Bradley also mentioned in the interview that the Windows 7 based tablet HP slate is not fully dead and they are still working on it. But he didn’t gave any clear words on whether it would launch or not. The launch of HP slate with Windows 7 looks really unlikely after the grand success of iPad, and a PalmPad with Web OS is highly expected from HP.
[via Engadget]
