Hewlett-Packard is splitting its handheld business away
from the laptop business, in an attempt to become more focused and
boost its sales in the flagging handheld market.
HP’s iPaq handhelds will now have their own business unit, which
includes the new iPaq hw6900 series.
Dave Rothschild will lead the new business unit, reporting to
Todd Bradley, executive vice-president of HP's personal systems
group.
Before the split, Ted Clark had overseen the development of both
notebooks and iPaqs in the mobility business unit. He will keep
control of notebook development in the new organisation.
Four units now make up HP's Personal Systems Group: handhelds,
notebooks, desktops and workstations.
HP inherited the iPaq platform as part of the Compaq
acquisition.
At the time, sales in such personal digital assistants – or PDAs
– were very healthy, but have since declined as users turned to
smaller smart phones that combined a handheld computer with
integrated phone capabilities.
HP's hw6500 series delivers both voice and data and competes
with Palm’s popular Treo platform, among others.
HP is unveiling a new range of iPaqs at this week’s 3GSM World
Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
These devices use Microsoft's new “push” e-mail software, which
allows users to get their e-mails automatically without dialling
up.