Report: HP's webOS team is about to shrink

Google snaps up HTML 5 developers from HP's Enyo team ahead of more HP layoffs

The team that was build HP's webOS platform seems to be in high demand as reports continue to trickle in that the team leading the Enyo HTML 5 development project is headed over to team Google. 

HP's webOS platform has been in the works for quite some time and in January, the company said that the entire open sourcing process would be complete by September and released as Open webOS 1.0 later this year - but with some key players moving on to Google, allegedly, that timeline may be in question.

Enyo is a JavaScript framework that allows developers to build and maintain HTML5 applications of any size and complexity. It can also be tailored either for the Web or for a mobile device.

But, according to an official statement from HP obtained by the Verge, the Open webOS project is right on schedule. The official statement reads:

"We're pleased with the traction Enyo has gained to date and plan to continue its development along with the open source community. The Open webOS project is on schedule and we remain committed to the roadmap announced in January."

As many as half a dozen Enyo crew members have been hired by Google and will start at the company as early as June, All Things D reported.

It's still unclear how the Enyo team will be incorporated into Google's workforce, but with more companies looking to boost their HTML 5 offerings, ChromeOS could be in the market for some strong improvements with the round of hires.

HP has been feeling some hits lately. Back in February, the company laid off 275 webOS employees after they announced their plans for the Open webOS project.

And just two days after HP revealed that they would be axing 27,000 jobs (8% of its workforce) in an attempt to save $3.5 billion by 2014. It looks like some jumped ahead of the axe this time.

It looks like HP is still taking on water, especially this week as its earnings report left a lot of people thinking whether this action was too reactive, but shares of the company did soar 11% on the news. Share of HP (NYSE:HP) were flat Friday morning at $45.85.