Hewlett Packard has confirmed plans to stop making PCs, tablets and phones in order to refocus and concentrate on software and is already preparing to buy UK software firm Autonomy for $11.7bn. This is a complete U-turn compared to statements made by the company last March.
HP is said to be seriously considering selling its personal systems group, which includes the world’s biggest PC-making business.
HP had launched its Pre smartphone as a competitor to the iPhone and devices based on Google’s Android operating system, only last year forking out $1.2bn to buy up the technology through its acquisition of Palm.
However, HP have realised, as did IBM not so long ago, that hardware is no longer a big growth business and is not where the money is to be made. Software and services, that-s where the money is these days.
Shame for those who bought an HP tablet, though.