HP today took the covers off its iPad competitor, the HP TouchPad, running on HP’s own operating system, WebOS. Like the iPad it has a 9.7-inch screen, unlike the iPad that screen will display Flash content.
The ‘first look’ video below will give you a great look at what the TouchPad looks like, and what it can do. Before watching the video, know this – it won’t be in stores in Australia for a while. There will be no worldwide release, instead the world’s major markets are to be looked after first. For a very brief response from HP Australia, check out Gizmodo Australia’s HP’s WebOS Products Not Coming To Australia Any Time Soon. The tyranny of distance and a small population strike again.
HP TouchPad price and release date
Those countries that are deemed HP TouchPad-worthy will be seeing the device arrive in the Northern Hemisphere summer. The actual release date and price will be disclosed closer to launch time.
HP TouchPad accessories
While you wait for the TouchPad to land here, or for those that don’t want to wait and import one ahed of the local launch, you might want to consider accessory options. HP are making a case, stand and wireless keyboard – all sold separately.
Commentable?
So what do you think? Whether you’re replacing a tablet computer, or buying your first, do you see enough promise in the HP TouchPad to draw you away from the market-leading Apple iPad? Or are you more excited by the wave of Google Honeycomb-powered tablets soon to arrive? Is it the machine or the apps that drives your purchasing decision?
Drop down to the bottom of the page and leave a comment, ask, answer, debate… we’d love to hear from you.
HP TouchPad specifications
- Operating system: HP webOS
- High-speed connectivity
- Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-CPU APQ8060 1.2-GHz processor
- 9.7-inch diagonal XGA capacitive, multitouch screen with a vibrant, 18-bit color, 1,024 x 768 resolution display
- 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage
- High-performance browser with full access to the web, including support for Adobe
- Flash Player 10.1 beta for access to rich, Flash-based web content
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n with WPA, WPA2, WEP, 802.1X authentication
- A-GPS (3G only)
- Bluetooth wireless technology 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
- Multimedia options, including music, photos, video recording and playback, and a 3.5 mm headset/headphone/microphone jack
- Media formats supported: Audio formats: DRM-free MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR, QCELP, WAV; Video formats: MPEG-4, H.263, H.264
- Internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio
- Front-facing 1.3-megapixel webcam for live video calling
- Email, including EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers) and personal email support (Google Gmail push, Yahoo!, POP3, IMAP)
- Light sensor, accelerometer, compass (magnetometer) and gyroscope
- Rechargeable 6,300 mAh (typical) battery
- Micro-USB (Charging and PC Connect) with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
- Built-in HP Touchstone technology for easy charging (HP Touchstone for TouchPad sold separately) and HP touch-to-share to share web addresses between TouchPad and compatible webOS phones
- Dimensions: 190 x 242 x 13.7 mm
- Weight: approximately 740 grams