HP Taiwan reportedly reaffirms pre-October launch for webOS tablet
By Ross Miller 
posted May 22nd 2010 12:29PM
posted May 22nd 2010 12:29PM
Don't mind us taking a few grains of salt on this one, but according Digitimes, HP Taiwan Vice President Monty Wong has confirmed a webOS-powered tablet is due out in the market before the fiscal year ending in October. This jibes with what we heard earlier this month, including the common sense caveat that more details will be forthcoming only after the Palm acquisition is completed near the end of July. Now, we won't be surprised one iota if this comes to fruition -- HP itself has gone on record numerous times as wanting to throw the onetime mobile-exclusive OS on everything from tablets (yay) to printers (huh). Still, everything we know about it so far comes via words and whispers to third-party sources, or the voice in our head dreaming up ideal product lines -- neither of which, unfortunately, we can put our complete trust in.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: The DigiTimes report might be referring to the existing Windows-based Slate for a pre-October launch, not necessarily the first volley of HP-branded webOS devices -- but either way, we're certain the article isn't ruling out the Windows 7-based Slate. See more here.
Reading the original story, it doesn't seem clean if the HP rep is talking about a webOS based tablet, or still just a windows 7 based one. All the stories I am reading about this seem very unclear and differing in wether it will be webOS or Windows 7.
@DanJ01 They cancelled their Windows 7 tablet.
this may be really nice, palm had to work on its OS for tablet form factor for quiet a while if its ready so soon
Still a 7" screen, and costs only $100 less than an iPad.
Will wait for ChromeOS tablet.
Wait, I thought the original HP tablet running Windows 7 was confirmed as canceled but I'm seeing comments above debating whether this tablet will be running webOS or Win7. Did I miss something?
the only reason the ipad sells is because of apple fanboy mentality that they have to buy it because it's apples coolest! Unfortunately tablets are not very useful for most people. Becaue of this hp won't sell even cloase to what apple did. My sister biught an ipad and we all used it for maybe a week. Now it's on ebay. I will never buy a tablet. Love webos though. I'm on a palm pre by the way.
they really need to get rid of the ugly coral background..
it's the trademark of FAILURE
I think that HP really dropped the ball when they dropped Microsoft. This isn't going to be a winner unless it's got Android or Windows 7 or it's an Ipad.
Add into the fact that most of HP's gear appears to be vapourware and you might as well buy the damn Ipad.
@weststander Sorry to say but I don't even think Android can compete with the iPad right now. Windows 7 gives HP a huge audience and if they targeted the netbook buyer they could make some money. I think the ExoPC guys have figured out that what a Windows 7 slate might be lacking in Magic, it will make up in usefulness.
Still, www.savehpslate.com
Yeah I'm pretty sure with the right CPU architecture (I'm thinking Atom 550) this thing will roxorz my boxorz. Can't wait to see what they do here. If it's speedy with a ton of memory and storage I will pick one up in a heartbeat. WebOS does rock. I'm an Android user but WebOS is a really useful easy to manage OS that would be great on a tablet device...with the right apps.
I am buyin! And it's my birthday in October!
cant wait to Patch and OC this thing!
I hope that HP isn't rushing this thing out just to get in the game.
If they do, and it tanks, thats game over.
@islandfellow
agreed! But they have to get something out there for the holidays, & I think they can look at the pre's launch as a def reminder of what will happen if they put out a wonky tablet that has design or build issues. I'm hoping that means they've pouring some serious $$$ in to this to ensure the launch is a success bc even if they spend well over what should be prudent or even take a loss for R&D sake, it'll make it back 10 fold if they come out with something that blows people away & can build a market for repeat customers for years.
I have a strange feeling HP actually understands what a gem they have w webos & it's tweener strenghs for mobile / tablet os's??? Maybe I'm just trying to be optimistic & hope for the best, but I'm def excited & will be getting one on day 1 !
@islandfellow
Of course, they're going to be rushing this webOS tablet concept to market as soon as they can. It's monkey see, monkey do. Strike while the iron is hot. The iPad is making money and HP wants to make some quick money. You think they're going to do any marketing research or formulate a long-term plan? Hardly. Six months ago they probably weren't even certain that a tablet market existed. They were too busy laughing at Apple for not putting out a netbook. These HP guys quickly tossed all their past plans into the garbage and are now just copying what the leader is doing. That's a very weak strategy.
YES!!! Sign me up!! WebOS will make the best tablet...
@HighestRanked2
what the hell are you smoking ya twit?
WebOs is already closer to being suited for a tablet ui than pretty much anything else. Android is close but not nearly as polished. What you have here is an inverse of issues. WebOs def needs a more robust app selection, but the os itself is WAY better than any other imo for it's use of multitasking, layout, synergy & will only get better. Sure it may never be the dominant platform, but I'm not worried about if my grandma or soccermoms of America are dying to get it simply bc they don't research tech toys & simple go w whatever everyone else has. That's fine, & to each his own. The iphone is a great product for some, but it doesn't do it for me. I also don't feel the need to bash other's choices simply to feel elite or justify my decision. By all means, enjoy your iphone, it looks like 4.0 should be a great update & they've swiped some design & layout ideas from WebOs that I think many iphone users will really like. i.e. the new music controls
webOS rocks !!! palm hardware well at least on my 3 pre's that i have been through was not very good . but i really liked the OS . i will buy a hp tablet with webOS for sure
@HighestRanked2 the OS was amazing ask anyone who has used it no one like the hardware .
I think this is a cool idea. I love my iPad and am excited to see these new devices come out with great mobile OS'. It's a much better option than Win7. Although, I don't care for HP that much, Palm has been great ever since the Pre'
Nope! I'm getting the EXOPC now. Windows 7 baby!
@wolf359 Yep, ExoPC is now seems like the best value.
@wolf359
You might enjoy your ExoPC, but very few consumers ever will. It's running the most bloated OS on the planet using one of the weakest processors on the planet. One of the worst combinations ever for a light tablet. It's basically the HP Slate that HP knew was going to be a failure and were smart enough to kill it.
Hardly any consumer will want to touch an ExoPC once they find out it's running Windows 7. It's an absolutely horrible consumer tablet platform and anyone that has any sense at all should be able to see that much. Sales will be next to nothing.
@MosesusedaniPad
Unfortunately I disagree. Its much easier for salespeople to flog a device that is running a well known pc OS than any other OS.
The average consumer will say 'WebOS? What's that?' or even 'Iphone OS? Isn't that for phones?'
They will buy the exoPC and it will be terrible because of the problems you mentioned and they will hate it and never buy another tablet formfactor again.
@coley501, @MosesusedaniPad Did you two even watch the video? A ton of people are buying netbooks, I don't see the great big revolt over those under powered devices with the "bloated OS" you speak of. So the ExoPC is a good netbook alternative with all the same issues but with a nice and easy touch interface. Some will buy it some will buy a netbook. Either way competition is good for any segment of the market so as mosspuppet would say "Shut up!".
Web OS with the Sprint 4G option, they may have something!
It would be between this or the Notion Ink's Adam to put the iPad in it's place. Verizon doesn't have it to compete in my eyes. I would go back to smoke signals before I used Verizon again.
Magical!! I'm sure; can't wait.
Monty Wong... what a great name!
It'd be nice to see a win 7 tablet with similiar interface and windows functionality.
This. Is. Awesome.
Multitasking beat that apple. A USb port would be nice with the ability to download.