The day HP announced it was shutting down its webOS business, those working on the platform will have known they were on borrowed time.

It's taken over a month, however, for news of job losses to filter through, with AllThingsD reporting a total of 525 employees are to lose their jobs as a result of the firm's decision.

The site cites sources 'close the company', and while HP is yet to official pin a number to the cutbacks, it has confirmed that a restructuring of its workforce will take place.

Life after webOS

"As communicated on August 18, HP will discontinue the development of webOS devices within the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, which ends Oct. 31, 2011," an HP spokesperson told the site.

"As part of this decision, the webOS GBU is undergoing a reduction in workforce. Today’s actions are part of this initiative.

"During this time, we stand by our commitment to our webOS customers and will work to ensure that support and service for customers are not adversely affected. HP is exploring ways to leverage webOS software."

Just what form that "leverage" will take remains to be seen. Speculation suggests HTC may well be interested in purchasing HP's webOS business, though no formal move has yet been made.

Analysts at Canalys, meanwhile, have recently urged HP to reconsider its decision, following news TouchPad has a userbase likely in excess of a million, making it the #2 player on the tablet market.

[source: AllThingsD]