HP to stop designing own cameras
Hewlett-Packard said on Wednesday it plans to stop manufacturing its own cameras, instead hoping to find a partner to make cameras that can sell under the HP brand.
(Credit:
Hewlett-Packard))
The company said the move will result in a $30 million pre-tax charge during the fourth quarter. It said it intends to continue to sell HP-made cameras through the holiday season with hopes of lining up a hardware maker to start making HP-branded cameras in the first half of next year.
"This shift in strategy is intended to enable HP to accelerate its investment in Print 2.0 initiatives," HP said in a statement. "These include furthering HP's leadership position in home photo printing and online photo services, while accelerating the company's retail photo-finishing business."
The company broke into the market several years back and made a name for itself chiefly by offering cameras that offered the same number of megapixels at a lower cost than rivals.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
