HP TouchPad Tablet is Dead, but not webOS!

Reports regarding the death of webOS may really have been exaggerated. No, it’s not webOS that is dead. It’s just the TouchPad tablet and other webOS phones.

When HP announced last week its plans to discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones; the company made it clear that it’s not burying webOS but rather exploring possible options to enhance the platform in today's marketplace. And I highlighted this statement on my previous post in which I said HP probably has plans of licensing webOS in the future. It turned out I was right and I did really understood the announcement.

“The WebOS is not dead,” said Palm Inc., Senior Vice President Stephen DeWitt. “We’re going to continue to evolve it, update and support it. We stand by it.”

The company will just get out of the business of making hardware, including both tablet and smartphones, based on the operating system they acquired from Palm last year. And yeah, webOS is not dead yet!



And so, where can we expect to see webOS in the future then? Well, DeWitt added:

“The whole world isn’t just about tablets and phones. There are going to be appliances of so many different sizes and shapes in the future that are going to require a human interface for data. WebOS has an appeal beyond consumer markets, and may be alluring to companies in finance, transportation and retailing.”

There you got it. DeWitt didn’t mention the possibilities of other phone makers like HTC, Samsung, LG, and among others, who may have interests of using webOS on their devices. But who knows right? Wouldn’t it be great to see these companies having webOS equivalent of their Android and Windows Phone 7 handsets? I can’t tell by now, but I think it’s really possible. [via]

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A Bombshell: HP Put an End to webOS Phones and TouchPad

You would be surprised to hear this news, but yeah – HP will stop its operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones.

HP can’t hide the fact that its webOS devices, particularly the TouchPad, are not performing well in terms of sales since its launch. And I believe that could be the reason of killing it. Some analysts first thought HP would be a strong contender in tablet and smartphone segments because the company has its own mobile operating system; and unlike other players which leverage Android and Windows Phone, dare I say the big boys HTC and Samsung and among others -- HP has the full control in innovating its own competitive ecosystem. In a market with tough competition, developing webOS while trying out new ideas for possible great devices to run the software wouldn’t be easy for HP though. And HP believes there’s a need of a fundamental shift of its strategies to stay as a competitive company after all.



So what will happen to webOS by then? Well, HP said it will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward. Now this leaves me to think HP probably has plans of licensing webOS in the future, but that’s quite hard to figure out who’s going to take it. Any thoughts?



Click to Read Press Release

HP Confirms Discussions with Autonomy Corporation plc Regarding Possible Business Combination; Makes Other Announcements



PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HP (NYSE: HPQ) today commented on the recent announcement by Autonomy Corporation plc (LSE: AU.L). HP confirms that it is in discussions with Autonomy regarding a possible offer for the company.



HP also reported that it plans to announce that its board of directors has authorized the exploration of strategic alternatives for its Personal Systems Group (PSG). HP will consider a broad range of options that may include, among others, a full or partial separation of PSG from HP through a spin-off or other transaction.



In addition, HP reported that it plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.



HP today announced preliminary results for the third fiscal quarter 2011, with revenue of $31.2 billion compared with $30.7 billion one year ago.



In the third quarter, preliminary GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.93 and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.10, compared with third quarter fiscal 2010 GAAP diluted EPS of $0.75 and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.08. Non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs related primarily to the amortization of purchased intangible assets of approximately $0.17 per share and $0.33 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, respectively.



For the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011, HP estimates revenue of approximately $32.1 billion to $32.5 billion, GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $0.44 to $0.55, and non-GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $1.12 to $1.16. Non-GAAP diluted EPS guidance excludes after-tax costs of approximately $0.61 to $0.68 per share, related primarily to restructuring and shutdown costs associated with webOS devices, the amortization and impairment of purchased intangibles, restructuring charges and acquisition-related charges.



HP estimates full-year FY11 revenue will be approximately $127.2 billion to $127.6 billion, down from its previous estimate of $129 billion to $130 billion. FY11 GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $3.59 to $3.70, down from its previous estimate of at least $4.27, and FY11 non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to be in the range of $4.82 to $4.86, down from its previous estimate of at least $5.00. FY11 non-GAAP diluted EPS estimates exclude after-tax costs of approximately $1.16 to 1.23 per share, related primarily to restructuring and shutdown costs associated with webOS devices, the amortization and impairment of purchased intangibles, restructuring charges and acquisition-related charges.



HP will host a conference call with the financial community today at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET to discuss these announcements well as HP’s third quarter 2011 financial results. The call is accessible via an audio webcast at www.hp.com/investor/2011q3webcast.

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TouchSmart 520 Could Be HP’s Next AIO Computer

The folks over at Engadget have intercepted a video showing off what could be the next all-in-one (AIO) machine from Hewlett Packard.

HP TouchSmart 520 features a slimmer form-factor than its predecessors and it got an easel-like support allowing this AIO computer to be adjusted at varying angles. Specs are still unclear but it does have HD display and integrated Beats Audio. The software, as seen in the UI also looks great and I’d guess it’s an optimized version of the one used in previous TouchSmart models, basically for a better experience.

HP usually introduce its AIO during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), but with the next event set in January 10, 2012 and with the advent of the device’s promotional video to the tech arena just today, I think the TouchSmart 520, if not officially released, will be unveiled before this year ends.

TouchSmart 610

Few months ago, HP introduced locally its current PC portfolio in which they just showcased the TouchSmart 610. I’m not really sure though if HP made its TouchSmart lineup available here in the Philippines. I haven't seen them in stores yet. [via]

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HP TouchPad Goes on Sale in Amazon, BestBuy, and Among Others ‘Till Sunday

More than a month since its official release in the US and other selected countries, HP cuts the price of its webOS tablet, the TouchPad, just for a limited time.

Unveiled back in February, HP TouchPad started hitting stores in the US and selected countries in Europe since last month; and HP said that the tablet won’t arrive in Asia-Pacific region until next quarter. Good thing though that while the TouchPad is on sale today until Sunday (US Time) in HP’s website, it’s also being sold $100 less in online shopping stores like BestBuy, Newegg, and among others. It may be good news for those who planned of buying the tablet in the US, but you my fellow Pinoys can actually get it through Amazon.com which is also offering the same discount.



The Wi-Fi version of HP TouchPad has a regular price of USD 499.99 and USD 599.99 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. Now it’s more or less Php 17K (16GB version) at local exchange rate, which I thought quite tempting. So are you buying?

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