HP swaps WebOS leaders, Rubinstein gets 'product innovation role'
HP said Monday that it will install Stephen DeWitt as general manager of its webOS unit. Jon Rubinstein, who led webOS at Palm and HP, will take "a product innovation role" at HP's PC unit.
The move comes amid HP's launch of its webOS-powered TouchPad. The aim for HP is to grow the number of apps connected to the webOS as well as integrate it with the company's PCs and printers.
In a statement, Todd Bradley, chief of HP's PC unit, said:
DeWitt has a proven ability to build and scale organizations into global, multibillion dollar operations, and I am confident that he will take webOS to the next level. At the same time, we continue to leverage the core strengths of Silicon Valley icon Jon Rubinstein to apply his considerable talents across the PSG portfolio.
DeWitt led HP's personal systems groups in the Americas and will be replaced by Stephen DiFranco. He will get webOS and its future development. Rubinstein will continue to report Bradley and oversee the connections between product lines. Rubinstein added that the launch of the latest webOS and TouchPad was a good time to move to something new.
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