Η HP βάζει τέλος στο TouchPad και το webOS γενικότερα!

Εάν είχατε στο μυαλό σας να ασχοληθείτε ή να αγοράσετε κάποια συσκευή με το εναλλακτικό λειτουργικό σύστημα webOS της HP, τότε καλά θα κάνετε να το ξεχάσετε, αφού η εταιρία ανακοίνωσε σήμερα ότι σταματά την παραγωγή οποιασδήποτε συσκευής το χρησιμοποιεί, όπως το tablet HP TouchPad και τα smartphones HP Veer και HP Pre 3!

Αυτό σημαίνει ότι πάει στράφι η εξαγορά της Palm (το 2010 για $1.2 δισ.), η οποία είχε γίνει επειδή η HP πίστευε πολύ στο webOS. Ωστόσο, οι πωλήσεις είναι ο καλύτερος καθρέπτης για την επιτυχία-αποτυχία ενός εγχειρήματος και η αλήθεια είναι ότι η εταιρία δεν δικαιώθηκε από την επιλογή της, παρά το γεγονός ότι το λειτουργικό σύστημα έμοιαζε πολύ ελπιδοφόρο.

Πάντως, ανάμεσα στα σχέδια της HP είναι το λανσάρισμα του webOS σε οποιονδήποτε κατασκευαστή θέλει να ασχοληθεί μαζί του, με τις HTC και Samsung να μοιάζουν οι πιο ιδανικοί αγοραστές, μετά και την ανησυχητική (για αυτές) κίνηση της Google να εξαγοράσει τη Motorola.

Έτσι, η κατάσταση στα λειτουργικά συστήματα αρχίζει να ξεκαθαρίζει, με τα Android και iOS να οδηγούν την κούρσα, τα Windows Phone και BlackBerry OS να προσπαθούν να φτάσουν και πιο πίσω παραμένουν τα Symbian, Bada, MeeGo και το νεοσύστατο Grid OS.

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.