No big surprise here, but HP Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley just flat-out confirmed to CNBC that HP just isn’t making any Windows Phone 7 devices, preferring instead to highlight the newly-acquired webOS for its line of smartphones. Here\’s the complete exchange:
A: We remain Microsoft\’s biggest customer, and we continue to believe we are able to drive innovation with Microsoft. Together, I think it\’s clear to assert, that we\’re very fascinated about the client, and giving the client the experience that\’s important to them. We won\’t do — is not going to do a Linux / Android phone. We won\’t do a Microsoft phone.
Q: So no Windows Phone 7?
A: We can continue to more broadly deliver the webOS-based phones which might be out there today, and Jon and his team have driven a strong roadmap for the long run.
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 truly make webOS an appropriate OS it is.
That\’s a huge ouch for Microsoft — it has to sting when your biggest customer turns its back in your fledgling mobile efforts — but we will\’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 again hinted that the Windows 7-based HP Slate has become an enterprise product, that is a minimum of better than being killed off entirely. Lose some, lose some slightly less, we suppose. Full video after the break — the great bit starts around 5:20.
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