While everyone was skeptical that HP might soon announce a plan for it’s ill fated webOS, Meg Whitman surprised everyone (well, not everyone) by saying

It’s really important to me to make the right decision, not the fast decision.

Well said Meg. This decision is a wise decision as per me. Unlike Leo Apotheker, who just went madly destroying everything, Meg thinks she can arrive at a worthy decision within three to four weeks.

While it was highly speculated that the brilliant webOS would be sold off to the highest bidder from an array of heavyweights, Meg responded by saying

If HP decides [to keep webOS], we’re going to do it in a very significant way over a multi-year period

…it’s a very expensive proposition, but HP can make that bet.

Well, good going Meg, is all we have to say. Hope that you take a decision that is as much in favor of HP as it is in favor of the developers who word pretty hard to keep the platform alive.

Source

The rumor mill was churning crazy that after retaining the PC business, HP was going to kill webOS. But Todd Bradley refutes the claim.

He stamps these as “unfounded rumors”. According to Engadget

He went on to say that "accolades for the operating system are broadly known" and that the company is focusing on how to "effectively utilize that phenomenal software."

While Meg Whitman is all for webOS, rumor has it that there would be a tight lipped stance towards anything concerning webOS, at least for some time.

Apparently Meg is not dumb like Leo Apotheker (whom I like to call Aerys Targeryan, the mad king) to understand that there has been no ROI on webOS yet, and apparently a big sum was spent to set up the webOS division and on the R&D. This amount would be a blot on the balance sheets if the whole webOS thing is flushed down the toilet.

We will keep you updated, not on rumors, but on rumors that make some sense. That is what our network is all about Winking smile.

Stay tuned…!!!

Leo Apotheker, aka the wrecker of our beloved webOS, as we all know, has been told to step down from the position of CEO. Customarily, every CEO writes a memo to all the employees before using his access card the last time.

Here is Leo’s goodbye memo

TO: All HP Employees
FROM: Léo Apotheker

Dear HP Employees:

This afternoon, HP issued a press release announcing my resignation as president and CEO, positions I have held with great honor this past year. Meg Whitman will assume the role of president and CEO.

As you know, Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution and has served HP well as a member of the board for the past eight months. Meg will be supported by a broad and deep management team, and I have the utmost confidence that HP will succeed in executing its strategic evolution.

On a personal level, I cannot begin to express the admiration I have for all of you – and what you have accomplished together. Over the past year, we were tasked with developing a strategic vision for HP and I know we have made important contributions to the company’s future.

Your efforts on behalf of HP and your dedication to our customers have inspired me – and I am confident that HP has a bright future because of the talented people that come to work here every day. Thank you for your commitment to HP and for your dedication in serving HP’s customers and partners. It has been a tremendous honor and a pleasure to work with you here at HP.

Sincerely,

Léo Apotheker

 

Well, that is a brisk one.

It’s official, Meg Whitman has replaced Leo Apotheker as the CEO of HP. Apotheker, as we had reported yesterday, was heading a diseased organization that was his own creation.

Whitman is the legend behind eBay’s success. We have the Press release from HP for your eyes only.

HP Names Meg Whitman President and Chief Executive Officer

Ray Lane appointed executive chairman;

Léo Apotheker steps down as president, chief executive officer and director

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 22, 2011 – HP today announced that its board of directors has appointed Meg Whitman as president and chief executive officer.

In addition, Ray Lane has moved from non-executive chairman to executive chairman of the board of directors, and the board intends to appoint a lead independent director promptly. These leadership appointments are effective immediately and follow the decision that Léo Apotheker step down as president and chief executive officer and resign as a director of the company.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Meg Whitman’s caliber and experience step up to lead HP,” said Lane. “We are at a critical moment and we need renewed leadership to successfully implement our strategy and take advantage of the market opportunities ahead. Meg is a technology visionary with a proven track record of execution. She is a strong communicator who is customer focused with deep leadership capabilities. Furthermore, as a member of HP’s board of directors for the past eight months, Meg has a solid understanding of our products and markets.”
Whitman said, “I am honored and excited to lead HP. I believe HP matters – it matters to Silicon Valley, California, the country and the world.”

Speaking on behalf of the board, Lane said, “We very much appreciate Léo’s efforts and his service to HP since his appointment last year. The board believes that the job of the HP CEO now requires additional attributes to successfully execute on the company’s strategy. Meg Whitman has the right operational and communication skills and leadership abilities to deliver improved execution and financial performance.”

Financial analyst conference call details

HP will host an audio webcast for financial analysts and stockholders to
discuss today’s announcement. Details are below:

When: Sept. 22, 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET

URL: www.hp.com/investor/briefing

It is recommended that attendees dial in 15 minutes early to avoid
registration delays.

Nothing much to add here…!!

Leo Apotheker is better known as the man who drove HP right down the toilet. Since his arrival in October 2010, things have went from bad to worse. Apotheker who was previously the CEO of SAP, was appointed HP CEO while the hardware giant was looking towards software and cloud for future growth.

HP bought Palm in the hope of turning webOS into a profitable platform, but failed miserably to do so and it had to sell the remaining TouchPads at half the price, not to forget the recent firing of scores of developers and engineers.

Mobile Business Briefing reports

HP’s board is rumoured to be weighing up the possibility of replacing its current CEO, Léo Apotheker, with former eBay chief Meg Whitman, according to Bloomberg and Reuters sources.

The sources said Whitman – who successfully built up eBay’s business during her time there – is being considered to fill the CEO role on a temporary or permanent basis.

Since the time the news (or rumor) went public, HP saw a relief in its share prices which increased by 7%. The same share prices had dropped to more than 50% since the arrival of Leo Apotheker. The news also added US$3 billion to HP’s market value.

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