HP not making Windows Phone 7 devices, focusing on webOS instead
By Nilay Patel 
posted July 24th 2010 4:03AM
posted July 24th 2010 4:03AM
That's a big ouch for Microsoft -- it has to sting when your biggest customer turns its back on your fledgling mobile efforts -- but we can't exactly see HP spending a billion dollars on Palm only to turn around and support multiple platforms. There is a small silver lining for Microsoft, though -- Bradley also reiterated that HP's tablet plans aren't so locked in, and once again hinted that the Windows 7-based HP Slate has become an enterprise product, which is at least better than being killed off entirely. Lose some, lose some slightly less, we suppose. Full video after the break -- the good bit starts around 5:20.Q: Can you make webOS successful with developers when you're selling Windows Phone 7, maybe Android or Linux at the same time?
A: We continue to be Microsoft's biggest customer, and we continue to believe we will drive innovation with Microsoft. At the same time, I think it's clear to say, that we're very focused on the customer, and giving the customer the experience that's important to them. We won't do -- will not do a Linux / Android phone. We won't do a Microsoft phone.
Q: So no Windows Phone 7?
A: We will continue to more broadly deliver the webOS-based phones that are in the market today, and Jon and his team have driven a strong roadmap for the future.
Q: So does that mean you're going webOS only for phones?
A: For smartphones it does. Our intent is to focus those resources and really make webOS the best OS it can be.
OHYE
@uckApple
"That's a big ouch for Microsoft -- it has to sting when your biggest customer turns its back on your fledgling mobile efforts"
Not exactly. For the kind of money HP spent into acquiring palm it shouldn't come as a surprise to Microsoft :p
Stop making things so dramatic please.
@Fez
Very true. This is truly an interesting development and bodes well for the future of WebOS. I'm definitely happy that HP is considering letting Palm keep its independence. Perhaps we can expect to see some truly interesting new hardware solutions come out of this deal.
@uckApple I smell competition!
I think this is justified. And HP is headed the right way coz WebOS deserves to be on some good smartphones. Yeah, HP is obviously gonna stay with Microsoft when it comes to PCs. But I also can't wait to see HP Slate and other WebOS tablets!
@uckApple
Its going to be really tough to choose from wp7 and webos. If no webos device announced this holiday. MS going to get my money.
@Fez
In other news,...Google and Apple aren't making Windows7 phones....
OUCH!!! Microsoft. Geez, first you cause the BP oil spill now this OMFGBBQ!!!! OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
Grow up, Engadget
Its not that big of an ouch Nilay.
Windows Phone 7 already has HTC, Asus, Dell, Samsung and LG - That's more than enough at launch given the hardware constraints.
Strong competition breeds innovation.
@Fez Seriously, what's the "ouch" supposed to be? You guys said yourselves that HP just spent a brazillion dollars on webOS for mobile devices. Companies of that size compete in some areas while partnering in others all the time.
HP has their own mobile OS to focus upon. Microsoft has plenty of launch partners for WP7. HP is still a huge partner for MS in other areas. This really isn't a bad thing for either company, no matter how much you want to spin it into a wound for MS.
@Epyon
+1 so true.
@BlackedOut Yep...and if WebOS tanks in the next few years for some odd reason, HP can source WinPho phones from those makers and slap their name on them pretty easily until the y can develop on internally.
They did it with the iPod after all...
@uckApple
i always lol at the ipaq with webos pic
He made a point saying that no WinPh7 smartphones, so maybe it's just that he doesn't consider an OS without multitasking, copy paste etc etc a smartphone OS? They'll happily make WinPh7 dumb / featurephones...
@uckApple The use of the word "fledgling mobile efforts" is the stupidity of this whole article. I know you guys have not been around to long but just a refresher WM was around well before there was a WebOS, Android, or IOS. Windows Phone 7 is just MS trying to get back in the game that they long had dominated.
@uckApple And let's not forget Palm itself was selling WinMo phones for a while!
@TheOne
Yeah, dominated back when MTV showed videos and not dumb ass guidos.
@Mike10010100
Hooray for Palm. Say resurrection? Can't wait to see your goodies!
I am so hard right now.
@sweet greggo part deux
TMI, dude. TMI.
@uckApple
Could have fooled us HP.... jeez. Thought you guys had no smartphone plans at the moment.
@FlyingCodeMonkey
+ has HP been selling very many WinMo phones since the death of the PDA ? NO So not much of a slat for Microsoft, HP has had virtually no phone business in years which is the reason they bought Palm.
A fact that even Engadget didn't manage to call.
@MicrosoftOwns
I always lol at Microsoft being late to various parties (mp3 players, search, mobile, etc). At least they have their cash cows (windows, office) to support them while all their other businesses fail.
@uckApple lol Luigi
@FlyingCodeMonkey Brazillian dollars eh?
@BlackedOut Yea, not sure why this is a huge loss for MS. I'ld argue that Dell and Samsung are fully capable of putting together a better piece of hardware than HP.
@TomSawyer I find it hard to believe that you are loling at the Xbox. MS sure messed up by getting late to that party...
@Fez
still there's something to be said when their Windows Mobile launch partner isn't around for Windows Phone
@uckApple HP and Palm have their work cut out from them. Once an admirer of WebOS, they need a serious top of the line, super sexy designed phone and some reassurance that they're taking this shit serious and are working closely with devs to get me on board over staying with Android for Gingerbread or going to Windows Phone 7.
Blackberry OS 6 even looks great, I've always thought the idea of a Storm was cool.
Too many options! What a good thing.
Bravo for HP, *finally* recognizing that being a hardware whore for Microsoft (among *many* hardware whores for Microsoft) is good for Microsoft but bad for you.
Things are going to get very interesting...
@Mike10010100 I was going to buy a Palm phone, this week but I think I will be waiting for some really (hopefully) powerful webOS phones. The thought of something like the Pixi or the Pre with 1.x ghz chips is good. I just hope they don't change their design style too much, they had something going there.
@reuterrat It doesnt matter how early u show up to the party if u forget to wear pants.
@uckApple
if microsoft bought hp, that would be insane
@reuterrat
The xbox division has been a huge financial failure for Microsoft - it will be years (if ever) before it recoups the billions it has lost.
@uckApple
This is the most encouraging news since the HP takeover. I would consider switching from Android to a super high-end webOS phone.
@HotFuzz
Seriously? A hardware whore?
When was the last commercially successful HP Windows phone? Is MS losing anything by HP not being a launch partner. Frankly until they purchased Palm I had thought that they were out of the phone business.
And if you were referring to their desktop/laptops then what are you smoking? HP makes billions selling machines running MS's OS. Without MS there is no HP. It's that simple.
@Fez
honest to God, Nilay is really a horrible writer. He either blows things out of proportion or gets things completely wrong. So what if HP won't back MS with WP7 devices? Does that leave MS with no hardware supporters?
i have the world in the palm of my hand
@Coke No you don't. HP does.
I'm tired of HEARING about all these WebOS smartphones that HP is making. I want to SEE some!
As the King would say: A little less conversation, a little more action please, HPalm!
@Coke : You have "white lines" in the palm of your hand. :)
@Smart People Play Tuba
Nicely said
@Smart People Play Tuba
Wow, HP has owned Palm for what, 25 days now. And they are not moving fast enough? Really? Take a deep breath and try some patience. There is no doubt in my mind that they will have a compelling smartphone / tablet offering in the 4th quarter with WebOS 2.0 while announcing the PDK contest winners and starting a huge marketing campaign. I imagine they will do this in conjunction with AT&T, Verizon and Sprint and do it right this time around.
Also, don't forget the companies HP has been purchasing to make the WebOS phones more compelling and able to compete with the iPhone ecosystem. Also, HP can add printer support to WebOS. Who else has that?
Seriously, I will be surprised if they fail here, but if they do, well, as others have said, there are other great options out there. I will wait a few more months to see what they come up with before deciding on my next smartphone. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.
This is what the worlds been waiting for.
@Delasoul
Well, yeah, I'm glad HP is keeping Palm OS alive.
As far as WP7: what I've seen so far didn't impress me one bit. Looks like an inefficient UI with lots of wasted space and "fancy" transitions that would start to get on your nerves after the first 10 minutes of usage.
But lets wait and see...
Everything happens for a good reason.
I don't mind this. HP seems to take its acquisition of Palm seriously. There will be other manufacturers to fill in the void for MS, so the more time HP spends on improving webOS, the better.
@MastaQ HP is probably taking THIS acquisition seriously because some Big Guy shareholders asked why the hell they paid more than a BILLION dollars for an OS if they're still gonna use Windows and Android.
More bad news for Ballmer
@Sk8erMikez
$4.5b in profit, yeah things are bad for Ballmer.
WebOS is my OS, Bitches... Recognize.
@JDGAFFLIN
That's blatantly their new tag line.