Archive for the ‘hp employees’ tag
Google Nabs Key Members Of HP’s Enyo Team, But Open WebOS Is Still “On Schedule”
It looks like the webOS contingent at HP isn’t done losing people. HP laid off 275 webOS employees back in February shortly after they announced their plans for the Open webOS project, and now their Enyo team is being picked apart.
The Verge reported late last night that key members of the Enyo team have left their posts at HP, and will migrate over to Google.
Enyo, in case you’re not steeped in webOS lore, is a JavaScript framework that allows devs to “build and maintain HTML5 applications of any size and complexity” that debuted alongside the ill-fated TouchPad. Considering that the platform is meant to help devs create platform-agnostic apps that can be tailored either for the web or for a mobile device, the team behind it apparently made for an enticing target for Google.
Though initial rumblings made it seem like the entire team up and left, it’s since been revealed that only a handful of HP employees will be making the transition. AllThingsD reported last night that Google has been working out these talent acquisitions on a person-by-person basis rather than swooping in and taking the whole lot of them. Unfortunately, Enyo Senior Director Matt McNulty is one of the people making the transition to Google, and they’re expected to regroup in Mountain View some time next month.
Despite how things sound, it’s not completely over for the project — it’s damned near impossible to kill an open source project once its out in the open, and HP has said that business will continue as usual:
We’re pleased with the traction Enyo has gained to date and plan to continue its development along with the open source community. The Open webOS project is on schedule and we remain committed to the roadmap announced in January.
And what will Matt McNulty and the rest of the ex-HP crew be doing at Google? Surely some of them will end up working on Android, especially given that Android User Experience Director Matias Duarte led up Palm’s design efforts on the little mobile OS that couldn’t until he left just after HP’s acquisition. With Enyo focused on allowing developers to create cross-platform applications that play nice with web browsers, some of that new blood could trickle into Google’s Chrome and ChromeOS divisions.
Of course, this isn’t the only notable departure that HP is dealing with at the moment. The news comes just two days after HP revealed that they would be axing 27,000 jobs in an attempt to save $3.5 billion by 2014.
Meg Whitman Details Layoffs To HP Employees In Internal Video, Thinks HP Is “Rebuilding Credibility”
Confirming rumors from last week, HP just publicly announced a layoff plan that will result in a reduction of 8% of its workforce. Shortly after releasing the memo to Wall Street, HP CEO Meg Whitman sent a company-wide video message explaining the future of Bill Hewlett and David Packard’s company.
She acknowledges throughout that HP is in trouble, stating in the beginning, “HP’s performance is still not where it needs to be” and “We have a lot of work ahead of us to get HP back on track.” She also explains, a bit comically and perhaps erroneously, that “[HP] is currently rebuilding credibility one quarter at time, and to do that, we need to consistently deliver on what we say.”
Whitman also reaffirmed HP’s commitment to infrastructure, PCs and printing, servers, storage and networking. “This is a differentiating strength for HP and one we can be proud of,” she said in the video.
However, the axe is about to fall throughout HP. Before Whitman attempts to justify the cuts, she explains that HP’s employee count has grown at a pace unsustainable by its low revenue as of late.
“We’re struggling under our own weight,” said Whitman in today’s internal video memo. “And we’ve got to restore a healthy balance in order to return HP to its position as a growing… thriving… innovating… industry leader. That’s what this is all about. And the workforce reduction is only one piece of a comprehensive effort. We see a lot of opportunity to remove complexity, streamline and reduce costs in a number of areas across HP.”
Like previous rumors speculated, HP plans on reinvesting the savings into the company. “We’ll be investing to drive leadership in the three strategic pillars – cloud, security and information optimization. And in each of our businesses, we’ll make investments to stay ahead of customer expectations and market trends.” This is a fresh move for HP who under previous leadership simply used the savings of a smaller company to help the ledger.
In the consumer-focused PC and Printing Group, “we’ll be focused on design, engineering, quality, and generating demand and desire with our customers,” she said. In Enterprise Servers, Storage and Networking (ESSN) “we’ll invest to drive R&D and innovation in our core businesses of servers, storage and networking. In Software, we’ll be investing to speed development across Security, Information and Management Infrastructure for both on-premise IT and in the cloud – with a key focus on software-as-a-service offerings. This will include the extension of Vertica and Autonomy across our entire portfolio. And in Services, we’ll improve processes and build-out capabilities in cloud, security and information. We’ll also be strengthening our industry practices, as well as our service quality and innovation.”
Whitman also detailed that HP is looking to better train their employees while providing a “career development and better tools and support.”
Like most leaders, Whitman ends the video with a reminder to her underlings that “In times of change, it’s easy to lose focus, waiting to see what happens next. We can’t let that happen. This a great organization, full of incredible people who are resilient, committed and who care about our customers and our company. I’m asking all of you to please keep driving forward. Close every deal. Leave nothing on the table. We need that now more than ever.”
Below is a transcript of the video. We are currently working on obtaining the video itself. Update: We have the video. Uploading now.
Hi.
Today HP announced second quarter results, and once again, we delivered on what we said we would do. Our publicly-stated guidance for non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was 88 to 91 cents. And we delivered 98 cents, beating our outlook by 7 cents a share on revenues of $30.7 billion. I thank all of you for your hard work and dedication. This is a journey. We’re rebuilding credibility one quarter at time, and to do that, we need to consistently deliver on what we say.
You are at the heart of our results. Without your efforts, HP cannot thrive. But HP’s performance is still not where it needs to be. Our business is still declining. Year-over-year, non-GAAP EPS was down 21 percent and revenues were down 3 percent. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get HP back on track and that begins with executing against the strategy we’ve talked about in recent months.
Our foundation is infrastructure, PCs and printing, servers, storage and networking. This is a differentiating strength for HP and one we can be proud of.
HP Software extends and strengthens that foundation, solving customer challenges like managing, securing and automating the information flow across the data center.
Services makes it all work together for the customer, ensuring their technology is meeting their needs.
And finally, we combine our infrastructure, software and services into comprehensive solutions that deliver enormous customer value.
Moving forward we’re aligning our powerful collection of assets to capture leadership in three strategic areas: Cloud, security, and information optimization.
But to do this we must invest and we cannot afford to wait.
As we discussed in Q1, our costs are expanding while our revenues decline, and this has been happening for too long. The strategic realignment we announced last quarter was a good first step in addressing this problem by beginning the process of removing complexity, simplifying our operations, and reducing costs. And today we’re taking the next step in this journey with the announcement of a multi-year restructuring that will touch every part of HP and create a more streamlined company.
We’re taking a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.7 billion to be included in our FY12 GAAP results, as well as a further multi-year pre-tax charge of $1.8 billion. By the end of 2014, we expect to reduce the workforce by 27,000 positions through a combination of layoffs and early retirement. And we expect to generate run-rate cost savings of approximately $3 to 3.5 billion. These are difficult actions. Workforce reductions aren’t easy and we don’t take them lightly. They adversely impact people’s lives and are tough on the company, our culture and you. We’re trying our best to mitigate the impact as much as we can. We’ve limited hiring to try and reduce the number of people affected. For those positions we have open, we’re giving top consideration to internal candidates. We’re offering an upgraded early retirement package in the US, and expanding our career transition and planning services to better support employees.
I know HP has been through a lot in recent years and this is another dose of change. But in this case, it’s absolutely essential for the long-term health of our company. Let me share a little perspective.
At the end of 2009, we reported a workforce of about 304,000. At the end of 2010, we had almost 325,000 employees and at the end 2011, that number had ballooned to nearly 350,000. Over that same period, we saw year-over-year revenue growth of 10 percent in 2010, of 1 percent in 2011… and so far in 2012, revenues have been declining.
We’re struggling under our own weight. And we’ve got to restore a healthy balance in order to return HP to its position as a growing… thriving… innovating… industry leader. That’s what this is all about. And the workforce reduction is only one piece of a comprehensive effort. We see a lot of opportunity to remove complexity, streamline and reduce costs in a number of areas across HP.
I know that many of you remember the cost reduction of years past, like data center consolidation and centralizing functions such as HR, Legal, Finance and IT. What we’re doing now is different. We’re going after the big cost buckets and fundamental business process reengineering. This includes optimizing the supply chain, reducing the number of SKUs and platforms, continuing to hone our real estate strategy, simplifying our go-to-market, improving business processes, and implementing consistent pricing and promotions to drive end-user demand profitably. It’s harder work with greater potential payoff.
Another difference from years past is what we plan to do with the savings. The majority of savings this time around will be invested in the business. We’ll be investing to drive leadership in the three strategic pillars – cloud, security and information optimization. And in each of our businesses, we’ll make investments to stay ahead of customer expectations and market trends.
In our PC and Printing businesses, we’ll be focused on design, engineering, quality, and generating demand and desire with our customers.
In ESSN, we’ll invest to drive R&D and innovation in our core businesses of servers, storage and networking. Together they create a converged infrastructure that is the foundation for top customer initiatives such as cloud, big data analytics and social media.
In Software, we’ll be investing to speed development across Security, Information and Management Infrastructure for both on-premise IT and in the cloud – with a key focus on software-as-a-service offerings. This will include the extension of Vertica and Autonomy across our entire portfolio.
And in Services, we’ll improve processes and build-out capabilities in cloud, security and information. We’ll also be strengthening our industry practices, as well as our service quality and innovation.
Additionally, we’ll invest in our people – in better training, better career development and better tools and support.
In times of change, it’s easy to lose focus, waiting to see what happens next. We can’t let that happen. This a great organization, full of incredible people who are resilient, committed and who care about our customers and our company. I’m asking all of you to please keep driving forward. Close every deal. Leave nothing on the table. We need that now more than ever.
I’m confident in the decisions we’ve made and the direction we’re going. Together, we will define the future of HP and of our industry.
We’ll be holding our next all employee broadcast on June 18th and I look forward to speaking with you then and answering your questions.
Thank you.
HP’s Stock Price Is Climbing Amid Massive Layoff Rumors
HP is reportedly going to be announcing massive layoffs next Wednesday. Conflicting reports state somewhere between 25K and 30K jobs, between 7% and 8% of HP’s global workforce, could be eliminated in an effort to absorb losses from decreasing demand for the company’s products and services. The cuts could happen over the next year, rather than a mass layoff, according to AllThingsD who also state that the total number is still undecided.
Wall Street is reacting positively to the news. HP’s stock price dropped shortly after the news but quickly recovered and started climbing with word of the restructuring. During the writing of this post, the stock price dropped slightly but is still up for the day.
If true, this is the latest of new CEO Meg Whitman’s drastic changes within HP. When she took over for Leo Apotheker, she nearly immediately announced that HP would not spin-off its PC division, the Personal Systems Group, as Apotheker once considered. Instead, Whitman’s team combined the PSG with the profitable Imaging and Printing Group.
The layoffs will reportedly be announced alongside HP’s quarterly earnings. Whitman will, at least per AllThingsD, deem the layoffs as necessary to make much-needed investments. Rather than just cutting people, the company will cut its workforce and then reinvest across the company.
This comes as HP is struggling to regain its dominant position in the PC and services world. While still on top per the numbers, competitors, including Apple, are racing forward with hot products. This is something that Whitman previously acknowledged to the company, predicting that Apple might surpass HP this year, but 2013 will be the year HP employees can once again celebrate — except for the 30K about to get pink slipped.
HP To Launch New Online Retail Experience At The End Of March, Code-Named “Atlas”
HP.com is a mess. It has been for years. But I just received word via an internal HP memo that the company plans on launching new U.S. Home & Home Office consumer store at the end of March. As the memo stats, this project, code-named “Atlas”, will be “the foundation of a new HP.com experience with more visual content, more product information and better navigation.” Anything would be better than Hewlett-Packard’s current website.
We’re still trying to dig up screenshots. The leaked memo — reprinted after the jump — links employees to a special purchasing program site for a special price on a Folio 13. However, the link is to just a landing page and not a preview of its swanky new website that the company so desperately needs.
I could harp on HP.com all day. The homepage is fine but when you click into the meat of the site you’re greeted with an explosion of links, tabs and general chaos. But a major website redesign hints that perhaps Meg Whitman is actually righting the massive HP vessel.
Shortly after Whitman took over in the fall of 2011, the company decided retain the Personal Systems Group rather than spinning it out to become its own company. Since then, HP debuted several memorable consumer products, cut its loses with the Touchpad and then released webOS to the open source community. The bean counters are still using red pens but up until the beginning of February, the stock price was slowly climbing back up.
A new website won’t stop HP’s downward spiral, but it’s a sign Meg & Co. are trying everything. Besides, sometimes in life, a fresh coat of paint can go a long ways.
U.S. HP Employees,
Thanks to the efforts of our colleagues in IT, Operations and the HP Shopping Team, the new U.S. Home & Home Office consumer store is launching. The Employee Purchase Program site is now live and the official launch for general customers will happen later in March.
Code-named “Atlas,” it is the foundation of a new HP.com experience with more visual content, more product information and better navigation. The new platform will enable our HP.com teams to bring products to market faster and make it easier to buy from HP.com.
To celebrate our big new HP.com platform we have a special offer for you.
Now through March 14, HP employees in the U.S. can visit the store’s remodeled EPP area and purchase the HP Folio 13t-1000 Notebook PC starting at $749.99 (taxes and upgrades not included) through a combination of the normal employee discount and a special coupon. Add the Folio 13t-1000 to your cart—limit of 1 per employee—hit the checkout button and then enter coupon code xxxxx when prompted.
If you already have an EPP account, those credentials will give you access to the new system. Otherwise, you’ll need to sign up. Then once you’re logged in, type Folio in the search field and select the third and last option from the search results. Remember that the price won’t reflect the coupon yet because you still need to apply the code.
On behalf of everyone at HP, we thank the Atlas Team whose long hours and diligent work are about to start paying some big dividends.
Sincerely,
Stephen
[editors note: I removed the coupon code. This deal is for HP employees. If you're reading this email here, then you're not an HP employee and therefore should not get the special price. Sorry, kids. I'm not going to help you game the system.]
HP drops 275 webOS employees it “no longer needs”
It’s not a great day for HP employees. The company just announced it has laid off 275 employees from its webOS division, The Verge reported.
The news follows webOS head John Rubinstein’s recent departure.
HP released a statement today, saying that it is letting go of most of its webOS team because the employees are no longer needed for webOS projects:
As webOS continues the transition from making mobile devices to open source software, it no longer needs many of the engineering and other related positions that it required before. This creates a smaller and more nimble team that is well-equipped to deliver an open source webOS and sustain HP’s commitment to the software over the long term.
HP is working to redeploy employees affected by these changes to other roles at the company.
It’s unclear how many engineers came from Palm and how many HP hired to work on webOS, but either way its an unfortunate number of people who lost their jobs. As unfortunate as it is, the move doesn’t really come as a surprise. HP ended up killing off webOS hardware because it wasn’t selling enough devices. And last September, All Things D reported that HP cut 500 employees from its webOS division.
In December, HP chief executive Meg Whitman made an announcement that webOS was going to become open sourced and that the OS would live on HP tablets again, but laying off 275 employees doesn’t inspire confidence in that plan.
HP thought it was on to something with the Touchpad and thought bigger, better devices were to come. Hopes were high last year before the Touchpad launch that the new HP tablet would blow Apple’s forthcoming iPad 2 out of the water. But the iPad already had a loyal following and proved too tough a tablet to beat.
HP had no other comment about the layoffs.
Filed under: mobile, VentureBeat 
HP’s Whitman: We’ll Make WebOS-Powered Tablets In 2013
Hewlett Packard CEO Meg Whitman finally announced the fate of operating system WebOS this morning, after the company previously announced that it was ceasing the development of all smartphones and tablets running Palm’s webOS platform. The actual software’s fate was yet to be determined. HP said today that it will be making the webOS code open source.
We sat down with Whitman and HP board member Marc Andreessen to speak about this news and what it means for the company. “We are so excited about webOS and realized that the very best thing to do is to open source the technology, contribute to it and invest in it,” she explains to TechCrunch. “We will harness the power of the community to make this a better alternative to to other operating systems.”
HP said today that developers, partners, HP engineers and other hardware manufacturers can deliver ongoing enhancements and new versions of WebOS into the marketplace. HP also will contribute ENYO, the application framework for WebOS, to the community in the near future along with a plan for the remaining components of the user space.
You can see Whitman’s full memo to HP employees here.
So what about tablets and WebOS? Andreessen says that because of the open source model, we’ll have a future with webOS-powered tablets and says HP will be one of those companies that will develop webOS tablets. Whitman says this may not happen in 2012, but will take place in 2013. She alluded to this a few weeks ago but it is certainly interesting that HP is going to be developing future hardware products on the WebOS operating system.
While we know that HP is ceasing development of WebOS in phones, it’s interesting that the company is continuing to bet on the OS in tablets.
In 2012, Whitman is planning for a Windows 8 tablet. “We’ll continue to invest in the existing tablet ecosystem” and in the near term “will bet heavily with Windows.”
As my colleague Matt Burns wrote recently, HP is looking better under Whitman’s leadership after having a rough patch. After taking the helm, Whitman decided to keep the Personal Systems Group within HP. The company then beat Wall Street’s estimates in the fourth quarter.
With respect to whether HP can be a consumer and an enterprise company, Whitman believes that the company can continue to do both and says that the company’s current strength is that it is able to be successful in both product areas. “If you ask any guy on the street about what HP is known for, it would be computers,” she says.
In An Internal HP Email, Meg Whitman Assures webOS’ Best Days Are Still Ahead
HP just took to the wire and announced to the tech world that webOS will live on as an open source project. Shortly thereafter, Meg Whitman informed HP employees about the decision. The internal email I obtained, which is included in its entirely after the jump, gives a bit more insight than HP’s public press release including Meg’s feeling that webOS will continue to grow and this is a postive move for HP and webOS alike.
Whitman’s email indicates that the HP leadership team saw webOS could be “a platform that is both open and has a single integrated stack.” By making webOS open source, HP’s short-lived OS neatly fulfills this desire. However, like the company already stated, talk of new hardware is nearly absent from the email besides stating “hardware manufacturers” (read: HP is done) will be able to continue to “contribute” webOS. The TouchPad was likely the last of the HP-branded hardware — unless of course the open source community turns webOS into a magnificent creation worthy of new hardware.
From: CEO – Meg Whitman
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 2:03 PM
Subject: webOS to be contributed to the open source communityMeg Whitman
CEOTO/ All Employees
SUBJECT/ webOS to be contributed to the open source community
Today, we announced that HP will contribute our webOS software to the open source community and support its development going forward. We believe that this is the best way to ensure the benefits of webOS are accessible to the largest possible ecosystem.
Since we announced the discontinuation of our webOS devices last August, the executive team has been working to determine the best path forward for this highly respected software. We looked at all the options in the market today and we see a clear need for a platform that is both open and has a single integrated stack.
webOS is the only platform designed from the ground up to be mobile, cloud-connected, and scalable. By providing webOS to the open source community and other hardware vendors we have the potential to fundamentally change the landscape.
HP engineers, partners, other developers and hardware manufacturers will be able to contribute to the development of webOS. Together, we have an opportunity to make it the foundation of a new generation of devices, applications and services to address the rapidly evolving demands of both consumers and enterprises.
I would like to thank the webOS team for continuing your efforts under very difficult circumstances during these last couple of months. Your dedication is very much appreciated.
This is a very positive move for the development of our people, our software and HP overall.
We strongly believe that the best days for webOS are still ahead.
Best,
Meg
$99 HP Touchpads sale on eBay starting 12/11, but they’re refurbished
Didn’t get your $99 HP Touchpad the first time around? The company is holding an eBay sale for refurbished Touchpads starting on December 11th.
The company sent out a memo to employees detailing the sale, which prices used Touchpads at $99 for a 16 GB and $149 for a 32 GB tablet. This follows HP’s late August sale where Best Buy stores sold new Touchpads for the same price. These prices drove people to wait outside of participating stores for hours (see picture right), only to find most Best Buys had only received ten or so tablets.
Originally, the tablet was priced at $499, which led units to sit stale on store shelves. After the inventory-draining success of its Best Buy ale, HP decided to hold a second sale, but with a catch. People who wanted the touch pad for $149 could only get the sale price if they also purchased a PC on the Best Buy website.
More of the story? People want a cheap tablet, and HP knows it can minimize its obvious losses by selling the tablet for so cheap. Given the sale history, HP expects its tablets will quickly run out of stock on eBay, and sent out the memo below to its employees. The memo promises the company will not make a general public announcement until the HP employees had their fill the night before. The memo also wished employees “good luck.”
The sale starts at 6 pm central time on December 11. You can only use your PayPal accounts to buy the Touchpad, which is capped at two units per person, and there’s another catch: it’s only refurbished Touchpads, not new. No returns, unless your tablet is defective. There will also be packaging available, including a case, charging dock and wireless keyboard bundle for $79 extra. The tablet may sell out quicker with the holidays around the corner and people thinking presents.
Check out the memo, which was intercepted by TechCrunch below:
To: U.S. HP Employees
HP employees will have a chance to purchase a refurbished HP TouchPad via eBay before the sale is announced to the general public. Specifically, the TouchPads will be offered through one of HP’s newest marketplaces for close-out and refurbished HP products, the new HP eBay Store.
This product will NOT be available through any other HP stores, such as the Home & Home Office store, Small & Medium Business store, HP EPP or the HP Business Outlet. PLEASE DO NOT CALL ANY OF THESE CALL CENTERS BECAUSE IT DISRUPTS REGULAR SALES ACTIVITIES AND THEY’RE UNABLE TO PROCESS AN ORDER FOR THE TOUCHPADS ANYWAY.
In an effort to give HP employees first chance at a very limited supply of refurbished TouchPads, there will be a short delay between when the product is posted live for sale on eBay and when the general public is notified of the sale.
Refurbished HP TouchPads, both 16GB and 32GB versions, will be posted for sale through the HP eBay store at: 6:00 p.m. (Central Time), Sunday, December 11th. If you are interested in purchasing a refurbished TouchPad, please make yourself a reminder to log-on to eBay a few minutes before the sale starts to make your purchase.
The TouchPads will be available for sale here (under “Laptops”):
http://stores.ebay.com/hewlettpackard
Important information about this sale:
•
There will be both 16GB and 32GB versions available, selling at a fixed price of $99 and $149 respectively…while supplies last.
•
There is also an optional 3-piece Accessory bundle with a Case, Charging Dock & Wireless Keyboard for $79 (est. value $199.97).
•
Purchases must be made through the HP eBay store via PayPal only. If you do not have eBay or PayPal accounts, create your accounts before the sale begins to avoid delays.
•
The product offer will be announced to the general public on Monday morning and is expected to sell-out quickly thereafter, so don’t delay.
•
There will be a limit of two (2) TouchPad SKUs per eBay member, sold on a first come, first served basis.
•
This sale is not associated with any HP-sponsored employee purchase program and there are no additional discounts for HP employees off the HP eBay store price.
•
All sales are final. There are no returns unless product arrives defective.
•
The refurbished TouchPad product comes with a 90-day limited warranty.
•
Please note that eBay orders only allow one ship-to location per order.Thank you for your cooperation, good luck to you and don’t forget to mark your calendars for 6:00 p.m. (Central Time), Sunday, December 11th.
Filed under: mobile 
HP Reviving The $99 TouchPad Firesale! (Sort Of)
Get your clicking fingers ready! These boys are going to go fast.
Starting Sunday, December 11th at 6:00 p.m. Central time, 16GB and 32GB Touchpads will be available on HP’s ebay store. A $79 accessory bundle will also be available, which includes a case, charging dock and wireless keyboard. Look for them in the laptop section. As you would expect, there are some caveats with this deal with the main disappointment being these are refurbished TouchPads rather than the brand new models sold during the first firesale.
The refurbished 16GB and 32GB models will be available in an unannounced quantity. Sales will be limited to just two SKUs per ebay member and PayPal must be used to complete the transaction. All sales are final and the product only comes with a 90-day warranty. HP wants these things gone.
HP employees also have a chance to snag a TouchPad but they’re going to have to wait in line as well. An internal HP memo received announced the sale to employees. It states that the TouchPads will be available starting at the aforementioned 6:00 p.m. time but the public announcement will not be made until a little later, allowing employees first shot at the discontinued tablet. Guess I messed that up, eh?
In an effort to give HP employees first chance at a very limited supply of refurbished TouchPads, there will be a short delay between when the product is posted live for sale on eBay and when the general public is notified of the sale.
This might conclude the TouchPad’s sad story. The product was pulled after just two and a half months on the market. HP quickly turned around and sold most of the available inventory while promising more were on their way. This supply slowly appeared at retailers but were only available with the purchase of an HP computer. But with this sale, HP is making good on its promise and likely closing the book on the TouchPad. Its development will likely be in just the hands of the TouchPad’s capable fanbase.
Good night, sweet TouchPad.
To: U.S. HP Employees
HP employees will have a chance to purchase a refurbished HP TouchPad via eBay before the sale is announced to the general public. Specifically, the TouchPads will be offered through one of HP’s newest marketplaces for close-out and refurbished HP products, the new HP eBay Store.
This product will NOT be available through any other HP stores, such as the Home & Home Office store, Small & Medium Business store, HP EPP or the HP Business Outlet. PLEASE DO NOT CALL ANY OF THESE CALL CENTERS BECAUSE IT DISRUPTS REGULAR SALES ACTIVITIES AND THEY’RE UNABLE TO PROCESS AN ORDER FOR THE TOUCHPADS ANYWAY.
In an effort to give HP employees first chance at a very limited supply of refurbished TouchPads, there will be a short delay between when the product is posted live for sale on eBay and when the general public is notified of the sale.
Refurbished HP TouchPads, both 16GB and 32GB versions, will be posted for sale through the HP eBay store at: 6:00 p.m. (Central Time), Sunday, December 11th. If you are interested in purchasing a refurbished TouchPad, please make yourself a reminder to log-on to eBay a few minutes before the sale starts to make your purchase.
The TouchPads will be available for sale here (under “Laptops”):
http://stores.ebay.com/hewlettpackard
Important information about this sale:
•
There will be both 16GB and 32GB versions available, selling at a fixed price of $99 and $149 respectively…while supplies last.
•
There is also an optional 3-piece Accessory bundle with a Case, Charging Dock & Wireless Keyboard for $79 (est. value $199.97).
•
Purchases must be made through the HP eBay store via PayPal only. If you do not have eBay or PayPal accounts, create your accounts before the sale begins to avoid delays.
•
The product offer will be announced to the general public on Monday morning and is expected to sell-out quickly thereafter, so don’t delay.
•
There will be a limit of two (2) TouchPad SKUs per eBay member, sold on a first come, first served basis.
•
This sale is not associated with any HP-sponsored employee purchase program and there are no additional discounts for HP employees off the HP eBay store price.
•
All sales are final. There are no returns unless product arrives defective.
•
The refurbished TouchPad product comes with a 90-day limited warranty.
•
Please note that eBay orders only allow one ship-to location per order.Thank you for your cooperation, good luck to you and don’t forget to mark your calendars for 6:00 p.m. (Central Time), Sunday, December 11th.
Best regards,
Whitman says future of webOS will be decided in two weeks
New HP CEO Meg Whitman has a tough decision about what to do with webOS, so she’s given herself a little more breathing room by saying the final call will come in two weeks.
HP, which bought webOS-creator Palm last year for $1.2 billion, is in a precarious position about what to do with the troubled mobile operating system. After HP axed the HP TouchPad and then saw incredible demand for the discontinued device at a $99 fire-sale price, it was unclear what the best course of action would be. Many rumors have swirled about what the final fate of webOS, with sources saying Amazon wants the OS and a new report suggesting HP will keep webOS working for printers.
Whitman’s latest remarks on webOS came in an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro that was spotted by The Verge. On top of saying the decision would come in two weeks, Whitman said “we need to have another operating system,” which presumably means Windows 8. But Windows 8 on tablets won’t come until 2012, so we’ll have to just see what happens with webOS and the 600 or so employees HP still has working on it.
In early November, Whitman said the company still was unsure what to do with webOS. “It’s really important to me to make the right decision, not the fast decision,” she reportedly said at the time to a room full of HP employees.
Filed under: mobile 
