Chinese telecoms solutions provider has unveiled two new devices in an attempt to gain a stronger foothold in the smartphone and tablet markets. The firm also announced that it will open a dedicated European design centre for its mobile device business in London in Q1 2012.

Software and PC giant HP has unexpectedly killed off its poorly performing webOS mobile devices and announced its exit from the hardware space altogether. Instead the firm will focus on software and services with an eye on cloud computing through the $10bn acquisition of Autonomy.

Apple’s launch of the iPad is largely responsible for re-igniting interest in tablet computers which has accelerated convergence and started to reveal the potential value that these mobile devices can offer to both consumers and enterprises alike. Many players across the value chain are clambering for a share of this nascent product segment.

Japanese electronics giant Sony has made a foray into the Android tablet space with two devices devoid of any Ericsson branding. The company has shown off prototypes of the two devices, which will be available in the autumn, but is keeping the development in house rather than through its handset joint venture, Sony Ericsson.