According to an internal HP memo published by The Verge, it appears HP will be developing a new Mobility Global Business Unit, with a chief objective of entering the consumer tablet market. The memo was circulated within the company by HP’s Todd Bradley – EVP of the Printing and Personal Systems Group. Bradley will reportedly manage this unit as a part of his current role, while former Nokia employee Alberto Torres. Torres had been responsible for MeeGo operations at Nokia, working with Intel to drive a new mobile OS into the market. As Nokia pivoted to work with Microsoft and its Windows Phone, the MeeGo project was dropped.
This new role may again represent an uphill battle for Torres, judging by the limited success of HP’s first consumer grade tablet launch. And yet, with a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford and prior experience at McKinsey and Company, this may be a strategic opportunity for both HP and Torres. Torres will be joining HP on September 3rd, suggesting we will be seeing further updates around HP’s mobile strategy and investment in the near future.