The HP eStation Zeen, the Zeus printer, and everything we know about them
By Nilay Patel 
posted August 5th 2010 5:41PM
posted August 5th 2010 5:41PM
- The Zeen is a capacitive tablet running a HP skin on top of Android 2.1 -- it won't get shifted to webOS, and it's not clear if it'll get upped to Froyo before launch given the development time required. It has capacitive touch buttons, a SD card slot, video support, and at least some prototypes have cameras with a special webcam app installed.
- The goal is for the HP home screen and skin to be the only home screen available, but that hasn't been fully implemented yet.
- E-reading is a major focus, and the Zeen has "significant" integration with the Barnes & Noble Nook bookstore and ecosystem. Makes sense, as the Nook itself is based on Android, and being able to print e-books from the Zeen would be a huge differentiator -- and a great way for HP to sell more ink.
- The Zeen will come in two configurations: a $399 bundle with a new printer called Zeus and as a standalone unit for an unknown price. The Zeus has its own "basic" control setup, but when the Zeen is docked it provides a rich interface to the printing functions -- presumably a web-connected interface like the one HP's been moving towards with other printers.
- Despite the CQ model number, the Zeen is a straight HP product, with a laser-etched logo on the back.
I bet the zeen will be able to print right out of the box....
Sure wish my iPad could do that.
@tmarks11 I think printing will be about all it can do!
Printing out books and magazines is not the way to go...
Printing?what are u going to be printing?coupons?
This has fail written all over it.
HP sucks and they aren't going anywhere pimping the same shit that's already out there .
@pspitts
How about 'printing' documents created or items wanted in hard-copy, you know like one can conveniently do on pretty much any other computer on earth?
@DaHarder
I've been using a iPad every day for the past two months, home, work, & travel. There have only been two or three occasions where I wished it could directly print something, and all of those were resolved easily through emails. Printing from tablets is not at the top of the feature list, unless you happen to own a company that makes a lot of its profits from the sale of paper, ink carts, and toner. Printing would be nice to have, but lack of that capability is not as big a deal as some make it out to be.
@Ed T
Really... I'm very, very happy for you, but as the owner/user of an iPad 64/WiFi+3g myself, I often find it rather frustrating when I'm unable to easily print something, or even save it in a conventional manner so that I can print it from a 'real' computer.
It's a fine peripheral for what it does, but there's plenty that my iPad Does Not Do that this ZEEN looks like it might.
We'll See Soon Enough...
No WebOS....this changes everything.
So why must everyone skin android in some way or another?
@XChrisX
Because that's one of the many benefits of Google's Android... easy customization.
Example: If the user, or a company/manufacturer, desires to alter the look, functionality, or feel of the 'home screen(s)' with widgets, live apps, folders, etc. they're completely free to do just that, without any unnecessary hinderances or need to resort to extreme measures like 'jailbreaking' (rooting) in violation of the manufacturer's warranty.
With Android, it's YOUR Device... not just something you bought yet still have little/no control over how it actually functions/looks.
Needs a stylus to take notes in class. These tablets need to differentiate themselves from the giant iPod touch...err...iPad. Being able to use them for something useful for class would be a start.
@greenmonkey Useful, like printing a book that already been digitized perhaps???
@greenmonkey
So go and buy one of the many Windows tablet edition PCs that are available right now. I hear Microsoft's Handwriting recognition engine is pretty slick.
The poor people at http://www.zeen.com/ are going to be pissed.
HP just hijacked their brand name for a remote control for an HP printer!
No respect...
great, so not only does it have a terrible name (WTF is "Zeen"?!), but it doesn't even run webOS (which would've been decent).
this "one size fits all" android train wreck will never end...
@sighclops
'One size fits all trainwreck'... Really?
You can't be talking about Android, because if anything there's variety in every conceivable way.
Example: The sheer number of Android handsets affords unprecedented choice for the consumer e.g. if the users seeks a candy-bar form-factor, a flip n' spin, a hardware keyboard, a particular cellular carrier, a 3.2 inch... 3.5 inch... 3.7 inch... 4 inch... 4.3 inch... 5 inch... 7 inch... etc screen, it's all available with Android.
Android is the absolute epitome of V A R I E T Y.
@DaHarder
yes but it's just so... dull.
webOS = pretty
winmo 7 = pretty
android = laggy and boring
@sighclops
Android Dull? Only to those with zero imagination, because everything else is provided without ever voiding the warranty.
Examples: DGE Home Experience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxVBkXxzOnI&feature=player_embedded), Launcher Pro Plus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU943vLJOFk), Helix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhUhYO4a1-I), and on... and on...
Suggestion: Don't lambast the OS simply because you don't recognize its capabilities.
HP is not Palm.. They just happen to own Palm. It's a smart move, their covering the market..
Nice...it will do stuff that matters , stuff iPad can`t do or does poorly.
Nice ! Go Palo Alto !
This is the kind of stuff you get when you are not a walled-garden , once-a-year refresh company.
@bufbarnaby What, a remote touch control for a printer?
Yep, that'll have them lining-up around the block for sure...
I am starting to believe HP should've fuck off and let some more competent company get webOS...
I'm sorry, I'm as excited for a WebOS tablet as you are, but seriously, what kind of name is the eStation Zeen??