Channel Beat: HP Rivals Cisco With Possible Aruba Deal

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HP is reportedly in talks to acquire wireless networking vendor Aruba Networks.

Aruba shares soared after Bloomberg Business reported the potential buyout this week, while HP shares dropped. HP and Aruba have not commented on the deal, but HP partners say that if it goes through, HP will grab wireless share from rival Cisco.

HP’s first-quarter earnings came out this week, and the computer giant reported that sales were down for the quarter.

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HP cited currency issues for the drop in sales, but CEO Meg Whitman said operating profit margins grew across all major business segments. HP reported a 5 percent drop in its printing business, while personal computer business and sales in the Enterprise Group were flat. Enterprise services were down 11 percent.

In mobility news, the operating system market is starting to look like a two-horse race. According to IDC, Android and iOS have squeezed out most of the competition in that market.

The two operating systems made up more than 96 percent of the market share in 2014. Android took 81.5 percent of that share, while iOS fell far behind with 14.8. Windows Phone held 2.7 percent, and BlackBerry only held 0.4 percent.

PUBLISHED FEB. 27, 2015