HP drops Microsoft for all future smartphones

HP's Executive VP Todd Bradley confirmed in an interview on Friday that the company is dropping any future plans for a Microsoft OS on a phone. While he guarded himself by stressing that HP would still be "Microsoft's biggest customer," Bradley told CNBC that there would never be a Windows Phone 7 device from HP. All future smartphones will use webOS, he said.

"Our intent is to focus those resources and really make webOS the best OS it can be," the executive said.

The company's takeover of Palm has been a major setback for Microsoft, which has counted HP as one of its primary and oldest partners. Since taking on webOS, HP has marginalized its Windows 7 slate by making it an enterprise-first product and has hinted the upcoming PalmPad using webOS will be its true tablet for the mainstream. The Windows slate was previewed in January but has already been criticized for leaked specs showing low battery life and a higher price than the iPad.

Microsoft has noticeably shifted most of its Windows Phone 7 efforts away from the US, where Motorola has also opted out. Most of its confirmed partners are Asian firms that have previously been loyal to Windows Mobile.

By Electronista Staff