HP CEO: "We didn't buy Palm to be in the smartphone business"

[Sheep]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/02/hp-ceo-we-didnt-buy-palm-to-be-in-the-smartphone-business/

HP CEO Mark Hurd just told investors at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch tech conference that his company "didn't buy Palm to be in the smartphone business," and that he's not going to "spend billions of dollars trying to go into the smartphone business; that doesn't in any way make any sense."

I'm REALLY hoping this is just a misquote out of context or a CEO not expressing himself clearly, but considering how quiet HP and Palm have been since the merger I can't say I'm too surprised if HP does decide to leave the ultra-competitive mobile phone landscape and use webOS for their other products.

If this is true, it will be a damn shame we won't get to see a mature webOS considering the webOS interface trounces both iPhone and Android pretty handily IMO.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Does this mean that they're leaving the smartphone industry?

 

[randomlinh]

sadly, having an awesome interface isn't enough. too many missteps =( I was really hoping HP could give Palm the needed push to not fall too far behind. They don't need to be on top, but just in the game.

No other phone has the Pre's near perfect form factor. Or pushed inductive charging... something I'll greatly miss when my Pre finally dies.

Here's to hoping the WebOS UI guy can do some good over with Android...

 

[TheWart]

Here is his full quote:

We didn't buy Palm to be in the smartphone business. And I tell people that, but it doesn't seem to resonate well. We bought it for the IP. The WebOS is one of the two ground-up pieces of software that is built as a web operating environment...We have tens of millions of HP small form factor web-connected devices...Now imagine that being a web-connected environment where now you can get a common look and feel and a common set of services laid against that environment. That is a very value proposition.

Too bad if indeed he doesn't consider a smartphone a 'small form factor web connected device.'

 

[Sheep]

No one seems to know what Hurd meant. If Palm or HP release a clarification in the next few days, then it'll be the CEO not expressing himself clearly. If we don't hear any announcement clarifying this statement, then the end may be near for Palm as we know it.

I love my Pre but the hardware is iffy at best...and I have a near flawless launch phone with very little oreo and no other HW problems you typically read about. I'm actually looking forward to moving to a bigger form factor since the Pre's screen is too small for me in my old age (and strong eyeglass prescription) and I always hold the phone open anyway when browsing news feeds or checking email on the train.

 

[Fox5]

Lol, a smart phone is the ideal target for WebOS. I guess they could do web terminals and stuff, but it was an expensive buy to accomplish that. Besides, why not benefit from the synergy anyway?

 

[TheWart]

Lol, a smart phone is the ideal target for WebOS. I guess they could do web terminals and stuff, but it was an expensive buy to accomplish that. Besides, why not benefit from the synergy anyway?

Because a printer with "the WebOS" makes more sense than a phone....I guess this is why you are not a CEO!

hehe

 

[SAWYER]

Such a shame. I have had pretty much alll the smart phones and I personally think WebOS is the best phone os imo. Now the pre hardware, that is a different story

 

[foghorn67]

It sounds like they want to make a kick ass tablet. iPad competitor.

 

[zerocool84]

It sounds like they want to make a kick ass tablet. iPad competitor.

I'd rather have a WebOS phone then a WebOS tablet.

 

[theeedude]

Seems like he's saying it's worth buying Palm just for IP, and the rest is gravy. But that doesn't mean he won't eat the gravy

 

[gsaldivar]

HP is as clueless as Palm...

 

[hanoverphist]

HP is as clueless as Palm...

or this is as far as they want to state publicly their position on the acquisition. mebbe they have other things in the works that they arent willing to divulge yet.

 

[TheWart]

Everyone can rest easy apparently:

When we look at the market, we see an array of interconnected devices, including tablets, printers, and of course, smartphones. We believe webOS can become the backbone for many of HP's small form factor devices, and we expect to expand webOS's footprint beyond just the smartphone market, all while leveraging our financial strength, scale, and global reach to grow in smartphones.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/03/hp-says-its-in-the-smartphone-market-after-all/

 

[ch33zw1z]

Didn't HP buy 3COM also? Perhaps somethings a-brewin'...

 

[gsaldivar]

or this is as far as they want to state publicly their position on the acquisition. mebbe they have other things in the works that they arent willing to divulge yet.

I hope so.

 

[randomlinh]

Didn't HP buy 3COM also? Perhaps somethings a-brewin'...

bringin back the old team

 

[Narmer]

If HP is going this way (<-------), I'm going this way (------->).

They have awful computers, soggy drivers, and wallet-sapping inkjet printers. They are a horrible company. And their customer service is all about $$$.