Sources tell The Information
that HP is indeed working on two larger devices — 6-inch and 7-inch offerings. Unlike their other forays into Android, these are alleged to
be actual smartphones, replete with cellular radios and all the fun
stuff that makes mobile devices mobile.
If you’re remembering a vague report that HP promised they’d stay
away from smartphones, you are onto something, but just a hair off. CEO
Meg Whitman noted that they’d have no smartphones for 2013, but didn’t
swear if off altogether. In fact, Whitman said in an interview it would be crucial for them to offer a smartphone.
Sadly, the devices are said to be aimed at emerging markets, most pointedly the Phillipines, China, and India. Happily for those crowds, they’re said to be offered off contract, at around $200-250. While we like the aim here, we’re not confident in the execution. HP isn’t exactly great at building low-end devices, as is evident by their recent Chromebook offerings.