Apple's iPad, iPhone take victory laps

Apple had a splashy week, and it didn't even announce new gizmos.

That came courtesy of Google's Motorola Mobility deal and Hewlett-Packard's lightning-fast exit from the tablet market -- both seen as nods to Apple's success.

Google's $12.5 billion bid Monday for Motorola Mobility points to how the search king is trying to ape Apple's approach to tight control of hardware and software design, say analysts. Motorola Mobility makes smartphones, tablet computers and TV set-top boxes.

"Clearly, the leader everyone here is following is Apple," says IDC analyst Al Hilwa. "Apple in terms of their hardware-software integration has shown that you can produce amazing products. The question is, will Google be able to?"

Google's move also set off questions for how its relationship will continue with other hardware markers, such as Samsung, LG and HTC, which rely on its Android mobile operating system to power their businesses. That uncertainty for phones and tablets in the Android market was viewed as a positive for Apple's iPhone and iPad, as well.

Then came Hewlett-Packard's TouchPad shutdown Thursday. That came in less than two months on the market, with hugely disappointing sales in the face of Apple's fast-selling iPad.

"Our WebOS devices have not gained enough traction in the marketplace with consumers," HP CEO Leo Apotheker told analysts and press on a conference call Thursday. He cited "significant competition" among other factors.