HP Buys Palm... WOW

[wuyanks]

HP buys Palm -- Engadget

that came out of nowhere...

[shmoo]

Well that came out left field. Maybe now their phones won't suck

[Backnblack]

Press Release from same link...

PALO ALTO, Calif. & SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE: HPQ - News) and Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM - News) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which HP will purchase Palm, a provider of smartphones powered by the Palm webOS mobile operating system, at a price of $5.70 per share of Palm common stock in cash or an enterprise value of approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction has been approved by the HP and Palm boards of directors.

The combination of HP's global scale and financial strength with Palm's unparalleled webOS platform will enhance HP's ability to participate more aggressively in the fast-growing, highly profitable smartphone and connected mobile device markets. Palm's unique webOS will allow HP to take advantage of features such as true multitasking and always up-to-date information sharing across applications.

"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, HP. "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."

"We're thrilled by HP's vote of confidence in Palm's technological leadership, which delivered Palm webOS and iconic products such as the Palm Pre. HP's longstanding culture of innovation, scale and global operating resources make it the perfect partner to rapidly accelerate the growth of webOS," said Jon Rubinstein, chairman and chief executive officer, Palm. "We look forward to working with HP to continue to deliver industry-leading mobile experiences to our customers and business partners."

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Palm stockholders will receive $5.70 in cash for each share of Palm common stock that they hold at the closing of the merger. The merger consideration takes into account the updated guidance and other financial information being released by Palm this afternoon. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of domestic and foreign regulatory approvals and the approval of Palm's stockholders. The transaction is expected to close during HP's third fiscal quarter ending July 31, 2010.

Palm's current chairman and CEO, Jon Rubinstein, is expected to remain with the company.

[wuyanks]

yeah can't disagree with HPs reasoning...

Palm hardware + their sales/marketing is TERRIBLE... but WebOS is pretty damn good...

good job out of HP

[Backnblack]

yeah can't disagree with HPs reasoning...

Palm hardware + their sales/marketing is TERRIBLE... but WebOS is pretty damn good...

good job out of HP

Plus with Dell getting into the phone market they must of thought it easier to buy a platform rather than create one from scratch.

[Romple]

HP Slate + WebOS ftw?

[JCo352]

Good for HP, but I really wanted Google, or HTC to buy palm. That would have been awesome.

[Hugh Jass]

Good for HP, but I really wanted Google, or HTC to buy palm. That would have been awesome.

Nah, just Google.

[Matth3w]

HP Slate + WebOS ftw?

Nope, they canceled the HP Slate project. lol

[mantis5]

Palm OS was great and I wish they had been bought by someone more confidence-inspiring than HP. They are both has-beens, IMO.