Hewlett-Packard, aiming to grow its device business beyond corporate users, is preparing to release a new smart phone targetted at consumers, reports WSJ.
The new device will have a touchscreen, slide out QWERTY keypad and will use Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system. It will be able to send and receive emails, and access the Internet. The phone is the latest version in HP’s iPaq series.
The new phone will likely be released in Europe within the next two months and sold by a mobile carrier in retail stores. Later, it will be released worldwide.
In entering the consumer market, HP can expect stiff competition from Apple’s iPhone; RIM’s new BlackBerry Bold and Google’s newly announced Android, all of which are aimed at consumers.