HP has confirmed what many had been expecting. It is abandoning development of Google Android-powered devices in order to focus on webOS devices. In an interview with the Financial Times, Jon Rubinstein confirmed that HP has abandoned plans for Android-powered tablets and smartphones.
“HP voted with its pocketbook,” Mr Rubinstein said of the $1.2bn transaction. “It’s all about focus.”
Rubinstein reiterated that HP will release a webOS tablet early next year (after the release of a Windows 7 tablet later this year). He also hinted at future smartphones, saying that HP would use its large customer base to sell them.
HP is also working on other webOS-powered devices, including printers.