hptouchpad
Latest
TouchPad homebrew patches surface in Preware, devs keep on giving
Earlier this month, we told you about the free TouchPads being custom wrapped for the devs at WebOS Internals. It seems that those fortuitous webOS junkies have upheld their end of the deal, as the first delectable homebrew patches have begun to show up in Preware. As we've seen, this tech is offered at no cost -- and HP continues to reach out to devs of unofficial apps, making the situation a win for everyone. Check out a shot of the first patch officially completed for webOS 3.0 below (Glass Effects Squite), and hit the source to keep an eye on what's brewing next.
Leaked HP presentation hints at faster 64GB TouchPad in August, Pre 3 in fall?
Go grab the Morton -- you're gonna need a grain or two. According to a "confidential HP product brief" sent anonymously to PreCentral, HP is on track to launch a new 64GB TouchPad next month, complete with a white glossy cabinet and a "processor bump," along with support for AT&T's HSPA+ network. The company just started shipping its 16GB and 32GB TouchPads, but even August wouldn't be too soon for a speed boost, considering the tablet's disappointing performance during our review. The presentation also lists the Pre 3 for a "fall" launch, along with that mysterious Opal tablet. Despite the so-called leaked confidential presentation, this rumor should be approached like any other -- but on the other hand, with the Pre 3 making recent appearances at the FCC in both AT&T and Verizon flavors, HP's latest webOS smartphone could easily be on-track to hit stores by autumn.
HP TouchPad going on sale in UK on July 15th starting at £399
HP's TouchPad may not have quite lived up to our lofty expectations, but that's not stopping the world's first webOS tablet from going global. UK availability for HP's 9.7-incher has been revealed as coming on July 15th with all the usual suspects taking part: Carphone Warehouse, PC World, Argos, Amazon, and, of course, HP.com. Pricing is set at £399 ($660) for the 16GB WiFi-only model or £479 ($790) for the 32GB-carrying variant. HP has also managed to get a few content partners on board for this launch, with "exciting, exclusive" material coming in from The Guardian, LastFM, Warner Bros, and Sky News. Full PR after the break.
HP tempts webOS early adopters to buy a TouchPad with $50 rebate
WebOS hopefuls -- especially owners of a Palm Pre, Pixi or their Plus variants -- you there? HP's TouchPad launch is a few days away, and the company's seeking to entice loyalists with a $50 mail-in-rebate on the new slate in the US and Canada. You've got until July 31st to make good on the deal, and all it'll take is proof that you own one of the aforesaid phones. Still need help deciding? We've heard that a visit to Walmart might score you some hands-on time while you're stocking up on bulk toilet paper. Hit that source link below for the full details straight from Ruby and Co.
HP TouchPad goes up for pre-order starting at $500, will be available July 1
It's true, the TouchPad, HP's inaugural webOS tablet, won't go on sale in the states until July 1, but that doesn't mean you can't claim yours pronto. She's up for pre-order at a long list of retailers that includes Amazon, NewEgg, Best Buy, Walmart, Staples, Radio Shack, J&R, Office Max, Office Depot, Costco, Sam's Club, PC Richard & Son, Micro Center, and even Nebraska Furniture Mart. You'll see it listed on HP's site, too, but the company's only accepting orders for businesses at the moment. As expected, the tab comes in two flavors: a 16GB version for $499.99 and a 32GB model that'll set you back $599.99. Both of 'em pack a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, stereo speakers, Touch-to-Share, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, and, of course, a gussied-up version of webOS optimized for that 9.7-inch display. Intrigued? Hit the exhaustive list of source links below to scoop one up for yourself. [Thanks, Casey]
HP TouchPad rumored to lack document editing at launch
The WebOS nuts at PreCentral have received an anonymous tip-off that HP's imminent slate won't be able to edit Office docs out of the box. As much as we'd like to dismiss this as a retaliatory rumor put out by BlackBerry, it emits an unfortunate whiff of truth. While HP has previously made a big deal of the TouchPad's inclusion of the Quickoffice app, it has only said it's "working with Quickoffice" to include document editing, and it has never demoed editing in action. The company has recently been trying to boost its app count, but perhaps it should have put more effort into securing core functionality instead. A glimmer of hope, though: the same tip-off also suggested that at least some editing capabilities will be introduced "via a downloadable update in Q3 2011". Hey, what's the rush?
HP ships free TouchPads to homebrew devs, may want something in return
Like an anxious admirer, HP continues to lavish gifts on the lucky devs over at WebOS Internals. This time it's sending them pre-release TouchPads as an enticement to get busy and boost the 9.7-inch slate's app count before it launches next month. HP recently promised that "thousands" of TouchPad apps are on their way and, in addition to attracting big names like Skype and Amazon Kindle, it's also ensured that legacy apps continue to be supported on WebOS 3.0. With nearly 600 unofficial goodies sitting pretty at PreCentral's homebrew app gallery, HP clearly feels it makes sense to reach out in that direction too. And who said love was just a trick?
HP messes with our brains, files six new TouchPad trademarks
HP has filed a bunch of TouchPad-related trademarks all in one go, and they must mean something, right? The USPTO database shows a TouchPad7, TouchPadGo, TouchPadFlex, TouchPadTwin, TouchPadGeo and TouchPadPro; unfortunately though, the descriptions provided with each trademark are so broad as to be useless, so we're not going to indulge HP by speculating as to what each moniker might mean. Who knows? Maybe it's all bluff, designed to spook other tablet manufacturers into taking up trout fishing instead, or maybe Jon actually did convince Leo to approve a webOS tablet for every day of the week. In the world of trademarks, stranger things have happened. [Thanks, Brum]
HP reportedly in talks with major labels over cloud-based service
We've already seen some rumors of a cloud-syncing music store for the HP TouchPad, not to mention talk of "Music Synergy," and it now looks like there could be some more movement on that front. According to Billboard.biz, HP's discussions with the major record labels about a cloud-based service of some sort are now "heating up," although that apparently doesn't mean an actual launch is imminent. One major label exec told Billboard that the service could be "something like Qriocity for a variety of media, which can be delivered on any HP device," but added that "we don't know how serious they are," which isn't exactly an encouraging thing to hear. That uncertainty was echoed by other unnamed sources, who were reportedly unsure about how quickly HP could launch such a service (at least six months away, according to some), while one other said that HP is still "trying to narrow down what their service will look like."
Official: HP TouchPad ships July 1st in US, 3G model coming to AT&T 'this summer'
Amazon may not be shipping HP's first webOS tablet until July 17th, but why wait? The outfit itself just affirmed that the long-awaited TouchPad will go on sale to eager Americans on July 1st, with the UK, Ireland, France and Germany a few days later (and Canada in mid-July). Following that, a phased rollout will take it to Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore and Spain "later this year." It'll be on sale pretty much everywhere for $499.99 (16GB) / $599.99 (32GB) -- or £399 / £479 across the pond -- with pre-orders starting at your favorite e-tailer just ten days from today. For those looking for a highly connected version HP also made clear that it'll be partnering with AT&T for a 3G (or will it be "4G?") edition later in the summer. Head on past the break for a look at the full retail partner list, and yeah, yesterday would be a great time to start saving up. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HP TouchPad to be available June 22nd, starting at $500 for 16GB?
We've learned to take possible TouchPad release dates with a grain of salt at this point, but enterprise vendor Synnex has now provided yet another possible one, as well some additional confirmation of earlier leaks. According to a pair of listings on its website, the HP TouchPad (curiously also sporting the Pavilion moniker here) is estimated to be available on June 22nd in both 16GB and 32GB capacities for $499.99 and $599.99, respectively (the latter of which matches the price already spotted at Walmart). For those looking to accessorize, an HP-branded TouchPad case is also listed. Of course, an ETA doesn't necessarily indicate an actual release date, but this particular one is at least closer to the last official word out of HP than recent rumors have suggested. Head on past the break for a shot of the listing for the 32GB model.
Walmart clearing off shelf space for $599 HP TouchPad?
Hey now, what's this? Looks like Walmart has made some space on its crowded shelves for the HP TouchPad. An eagle-eyed tipster sent in a shot from his local Wally World of a tag and some room just waiting to be filled up with the planet's first webOS slate. It's always possible that someone's just throwing out their latest Photoshop masterpiece, but the $599 mark certainly has an air of legitimacy (and matches what we saw, back in May). So why not swing by for a better look? And maybe pick up a few dozen iPhones while you're at it. [Thanks, Mitch]
HP TouchPad available at OfficeMax on July 17th?
Here's something to add to your long list of webOS-related rumors: OfficeMax may be getting the HP TouchPad this July. If the above document is to be believed, HP's new 9.7-inch tablet will be available at the retailer on July 17th in both 3G and 4G versions -- which is a bit puzzling, considering the company hasn't made any mention of WiMAX or LTE compatibility. As for that earlier Walmart gossip, another tipster provided PreCentral with a screenshot of the big box's database (after the break), which corroborates the $600 price tag we've been hearing about for the 32GB model. If this proves true, it'll be another month before we find out whether the slate truly lives up to HP's exceedingly high expectations. Update: We received a note from a reliable source inside Office Max that not all details in the above sheet are correct -- specifically the talk of 3G / 4G versions are a little unreliable, given the sheet currently lists a 4G version of the PlayBook that OfficeMax does not have. Our source expects the OfficeMax TouchPad to be WiFi-only, but at least that July 17th date is looking accurate.
HP thinks the TouchPad will be 'better than number one,' if that's even possible
HP's expectations for its new TouchPad tablet are running pretty high -- so high, in fact, that they can only be expressed with a make-believe number. During a recent press conference in Cannes, HP's Eric Cador boldly declared that his company's new slate won't just be the best on the market, it'll be the bestest. Cador explained: "In the PC world, with fewer ways of differentiating HP's products from our competitors, we became number one; in the tablet world we're going to become better than number one. We call it number one plus." A spokesman later confirmed that the device will launch in the UK with apps from the Guardian, Sky and Last.fm, but promised that "thousands" of other apps are on the way. The metrics might sound a bit optimistic, but the message is clear: HP thinks the TouchPad will annihilate the iPad and blow our minds to smithereens. We'll just have to wait and see whether it's as explosive as advertised.
Walmart prices HP TouchPad 32GB at $599?
PlayBoy Magazine might not have had the HP TouchPad's price dead to rights, but it also might not have been far off the mark -- if this allegedly leaked Walmart database entry is correct, the 32GB version of the webOS slate will cost $599. PreCentral nabbed the above image, as well as supplementary documentation suggesting an $80 sticker price for the Touchstone Dock, $50 for a first-party case, $30 for a spare AC adapter and $70 for the official Bluetooth keyboard. Of course, that $599 price tag puts the 9.7-inch tablet squarely in the sights of Apple's 32GB iPad 2. We can't wait to see if it's worth the cash to pick up this underdog.
HP Touchpad and Pre 3 pricing revealed... by Playboy Magazine (update: just estimates)
Hey, we're growing kind of close to that "summer" release window for HP's marquee mobile devices, aren't we? Playboy Magazine sure thinks so, as its latest issue (June) comes with pricing for the Pre 3 and Touchpad, information we haven't yet heard from anywhere else. The 3.6-inch smartphone with a sliding keyboard is expected to land at the industry-standard $200 on contract, while its 9.7-inch tablet brandmate should make itself available for $500 without any subsidies. These numbers are stated authoritatively, as if already known, though we'd still urge a note of caution until HP itself blurts the prices out. Skip past the break to see evidence of the Touchpad pricing as well. Update: False alarm, people. The author of the Playboy article -- yes, Playboy reads Engadget, apparently -- got in touch with us to say that the numbers quoted were just price estimates rather than concrete insider intel. Oh darn.
Time Inc., Apple to offer free iPad downloads to print magazine subscribers
After months of speculation, Time Inc. has finally inked a deal with Apple that will allow print magazine subscribers to access the company's iPad editions for free. Beginning this week, subscribers to print versions of Sports Illustrated, Fortune, and Time will be able to download the iPad counterparts at no cost, directly within the magazines' apps. Today's deal comes just a few months after the company struck a similar arrangement with HP, but iPad users, unlike TouchPad readers, still won't be able to purchase exclusively digital subscriptions to Time Inc.'s stable of publications. It's no secret that Time Inc. wants to incorporate digital subscriptions to its iPad model, but negotiations have hit some roadblocks, largely thanks to disputes over how Apple shares subscriber data. Publishers say they need that data to apply the TV Everywhere model to magazines, but Apple thinks subscriber information should only be shared on an opt-in basis. We don't really expect Apple to budge any time soon, but execs at Time Inc. seem optimistic, telling the Wall Street Journal that today's deal proves that the two parties are "moving closer" on the issue -- apparently not close enough, however, for Apple to comment.
HP's Pre 3 gets an emissions test at the FCC, likely destined for AT&T
The FCC has seen a decent share of WebOS devices this year, having first tested the Veer in February, and most recently HP's Touchpad (which we reported earlier today). Now, it appears the regulator is examining the forthcoming Pre 3, and while none of the documents specifically name the device, based on the size and proportion of the label, we think it'll pair nicely with a certain 3.6-inch display. We've also noted the diagram mentions a battery compartment, suggesting it's not the Veer, which is rumored to have a sealed battery. Whatever the device may be, it's packing WebOS 2.3 -- and judging from the 1900 / 850MHz 3G bands, it seems destined for AT&T, Rogers, Bell, or Telus in North America. Follow the break for a peek at the FCC label.
HP TouchPad hits the FCC
Much of the report expectedly remains confidential, but HP was at least kind enough to repeatedly mention "TouchPad" in its latest FCC filing, which saves us a bit of digging, and presumably means that the webOS tablet remains on track for a US launch fairly soon -- sometime in June, last we heard. Might it also get a few more cloud-based additions before then? Perhaps HP will have more to say at its Veer-focused event that's already scheduled for May 2nd.
HP planning Veer launch party for May 2nd, AT&T brings cake for webOS 3.0 devs
We still don't have a solid release date for HP's tiny Veer -- we've been told it's "coming around the corner" and will be here "soon" -- but if we were the guessing type, we'd say that the pint-sized webOS 2.2 smartphone will hit the market on or about the 2nd of May. That's because a PreCentral reader stumbled across what looks like an official invitation to an "HP Veer Launch Party Event" in Los Angeles on that very date, and it's typically fairly difficult to launch a handset without a handset to launch, if you know what we mean. Still, this looks like a business-to-business event, so we wouldn't circle your calendar quite yet -- but if you've already got that red marker out, you might want to put a X over May 12th instead. That's the day that AT&T is hosting a webOS 3.0 developer webcast -- which might be worth attending in and of itself -- but is particularly noteworthy given that HP hasn't announced carriers for the Veer or SIM-slot packing HP TouchPad just yet. [Thanks, Brian L.]