HP to offer cloud computing platform

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Hewlett-Packard is getting into the cloud-computing business and taking on competitors Amazon and Google.

The technology giant announced plans Monday for a portfolio of cloud computing capabilities from infrastructure to platform services, the company said.

As part of that push, HP plans to deliver an ‘open cloud marketplace’ in which developers can create applications for consumers and businesses.

“We see clearly a world in which the impact of cloud and connectivity is changing not only the user experience, but how individuals, small businesses and enterprises will consume, deploy and leverage information technology,’ said Chief Executive Leo Apotheker in a statement.

After purchasing smart phone maker Palm and its WebOS last year, HP also announced plans this week to expand and put its WebOS into a broader range of products, ramping up its presence in the gadget world by delivering 100 million devices a year.

This is the first time Apotheker has publicly announced his strategy for HP since taking the helm from Mark Hurd, who is credited with rebuilding the technology giant into the world’s largest computer maker and resigned last August after allegations of sexual harassment and falsifying expense reports.

No date was set for the launch. It remains to be seen whether HP can lure software developers to the new platform with a bevy of other competitors such as Google and Amazon already present.

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--Shan Li