Well this caught us all out!
HP have just announced that they are to “discontinue operations for WebOS, specifically Touchpad and WebOS phones” – that’ll be the just about/to be launched Pre3. The handset is just about available but it rang alarm bells when the handset received an almost silent launch.
HP says that it “will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.”
Shame really, WebOS is a nice operating system and one worthy of having as an alternative to Android/WP7/iOS.
Will WebOS be missed or have HP just killed off an operating system that was going nowhere?
Full Press release on HP.com
HP Confirms Discussions with Autonomy Corporation plc Regarding Possible Business Combination; Makes Other Announcements
PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 18, 2011
HP 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. .mainpage1{width:320px;height:100px}@media (min-width:500px){.mainpage1{width:468px;height:60px}}@media (min-width:800px){.mainpage1{width:728px;height:90px}}
HP should palm it off into a new company. I always thought that HP wasn’t a good match for Palm. HP in the past have been slow to market – the same goes for their laptops. Why is it that they announce laptops and phones, but can never find them in the shops.
With Apple, products are available the next day or within the month. HTC, Nokia, Sony and Samsung seem to do well with announcing their products and getting them in the shops.
It was a big mistake to announce the Palm Pre 3 in February and only release it in August.
HP should of launched laptops with WebOS as a dual boot option to compete with Chrome OS. I know Chrome OS isn’t selling well, but HP sells far more PC’s than Samsung/Acer Chrome OS netbooks.