There's been nothing but upside for Android as a platform recently, making HP's decision to scrap its plans to release a tablet running Google's OS something of a rare defeat. 

Taking into account the firm's wider plans for Palm's webOS, which was the reason it bought the company back in April 2010, and HP's move away from Android appears more logical.

The wonders of webOS

Speaking during an interview with the Financial Times, former Palm CEO turned head of gadgets at HP Jon Rubinstein confirmed webOS will remain the company's focus, both in terms of tablets and smartphones.

"HP voted with its pocketbook," Rubinstein told the paper in regards to HP's $1.2 billion buyout of Palm. "It's all about focus."

As a result, the Android tablet is no more, but webOS won't be the only platform HP backs in the coming years.

Speculation earlier in the year suggested HP had opted to develop an Android tablet to back up its webOS device – dubbed PalmPad – dropping a Windows 7 release in the process.

However, with Android out of the picture, HP's Windows 7 powered Slate tablet is firmly part of the company's plans, with Rubenstein confirming it will hit the shelves before any webOS device sees the light of day, sometime in early 2011.

[source: VentureBeat]