HP to break up WebOS business

HP is breaking up its WebOS business, Palm Inc into two separate units, which will report to two different sections of HP, according to a report published on PreCentral.net.
The hardware division will stay under the Personal Systems Group and continue to report to Stephen DeWitt, while the software side is to be moved over to HP’s Office of Strategy and Technology, and will report to EVP Shane Robinson.
This announcement follows HP’s revelation that it is closing down its WebOS hardware business, which includes its TouchPad tablet and Palm Pre phone.
“The WebOS platform…continues to demonstrate its ability to improve how our customers look up information, access entertainment, and stay connected on the go,” Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group wrote in a memo cited in the PreCentral report.
“With our focus on business and technology strategy, OS&T will be able to provide these teams with the resources and support they need as we define the best monetisation model,” Robinson said.
The report said that removing the software component from the PC-centric Personal Systems Group will allow HP to proceed with spinning off that business.
In 2003, Palm split its company into hardware and software divisions after merging with Handspring hardware and PalmSource software. According to PreCentral.net, the split was a disaster.