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Why HP's TouchPad Tablet Strategy Failed

  • By

    Jessica Davis

    | Posted 2011-08-23
 
 
 
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Too Slow to MarketChannel partners at HP's Americas Partners Conference 2011 in March were clamoring to get their hands on HP's TouchPad tablets for their end customers that wanted a tablet that supported Flash. But customers were tired of playing the waiting game. Many opted for iPad before Touchpad's launch date on July 1.
HP (NYSE:HPQ) didn't always think webOS and TouchPad was doomed. It was only 16 months ago that HP proudly announced plans to buy Palm for $1.2 billion and use its webOS as the basis for a new line of business. "Palm's innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP's mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group of HP, in a statement released back then. "And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market." But things didn't quite work out as planned. Here's why.
 
 
Jessica Davis covers the channel for eWeek and Channel Insider. Her technology journalism career began well before anyone heard of the World Wide Web and has included stints at Infoworld, Electronic News/EDN, and the Philadelphia Business Journal. Her work has also appeared on CNN and Forbes.com. She has covered hardware, software and networking, as well as the business side of technology. She has won several journalism awards, including a national ASBPE award for best staff-written column, and was named Marketing Computers hardest working tech journalist on their inaugural list of top tech journalists. Jessica can be reached at jessica.davis@ziffdavisenterprise.com