Confusion surrounds HP's plans for webOS smartphones

They're not interested! Oh no, they are!

There are mixed messages coming out of HP regarding its plans for webOS smartphones, following its recent acquisition of Palm.

Here's a quote from a speech this week by HP CEO Mark Hurd, as reported on Engadget:

"We didn't buy Palm to be in the smartphone business. And I tell people that, but it doesn't seem to resonate well. We bought it for the IP. The WebOS is one of the two ground-up pieces of software that is built as a web operating environment...We have tens of millions of HP small form factor web-connected devices...Now imagine that being a web-connected environment where now you can get a common look and feel and a common set of services laid against that environment. That is a very value proposition."

However, the report clearly caused a stir within HP, which moved swiftly to issue a statement saying it's not ditching the smartphone market after all.

"When we look at the market, we see an array of interconnected devices, including tablets, printers, and of course, smartphones. We believe webOS can become the backbone for many of HP's small form factor devices, and we expect to expand webOS's footprint beyond just the smartphone market, all while leveraging our financial strength, scale, and global reach to grow in smartphones."