HP planning to return to the smartphone market

P has seemingly confirmed it will step back into the smartphone ring and already has a new handset in the works

 

An HP executive in Asia has confirmed the troubled American PC manufacturer is planning a return to the smartphone market and already has a device in the pipeline.

Speaking to the Indian Express, HP's senior director of consumer PC's and tablets for Asia-Pacific, Yam Su Yin confirmed a smartphone was on the cards: "The answer is yes but I cannot give a timetable'" she said.

"It would be silly if we say no. HP has to be in the game."

HP previously attempted to get into the smartphone game when it bought Palm in 2010. But Palm's own operating system, WebOS, failed to catch on, the devices didn't sell and eventually the company let it die.

No doubt aware of this, the American company is planning things differently for it's comeback.

"Being late you have to create a different set of proposition. There are still things that can be done. It's not late. When HP has a smartphone, it will give a differentiated experience," said Yam Su Yin.

There's no solid information on what kind of phone the company has planned, let alone which OS it will run on or when it's likely to make an appearance.

But, given the lack of impact from HP's previous efforts, this new model will have to be something special to take on the established players.