HP will discontinue operations for webOS TouchPad

Today, HP announced that they were going to discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward. Do you recall how much HP spent when they acquired Palm? $1.2 billion! So, what does all this mean? Where will webOS be used in the future? I anticipate that HP will join HTC, Samsung, LG, and others to develop innovative mobile devices running other operating systems like Google Android or Microsoft Windows Phone. Bye bye webOS mobile devices. Bye bye Palm Pre. Bye bye TouchPad. It was fun knowing you.

2011 Slate Tablet PC Market

As predicted, 2010 was the "year of the tablet."  In 2010, we saw several new slate tablets enter the market. The Apple iPad was a huge success (and I often wonder if the marketing folks at Apple predicted correctly). Now, we're seeing a large number of other slates on the market to compete against the iPad. I'll refer to these as slate tablet PCs even though they're not your traditional "PC" running Microsoft Windows. It seems like these slate devices will be called "tablet PCs" or "slate tablet PCs" by those in the industry, so we're bound to face some confusion as people differentiate between devices running Android vs. those full-fledged PCs running Windows 7.

Here are the slate tablet computers we saw in 2010:

• Apple iPad (running iOS)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab (running Android)
• Dell Streak (running Android)

We also heard that in 2011, we can expect to see:

• HP PalmPad (running webOS)
• RIM PlayBook (running BlackBerry)
• Lenovo LePad (running Android)
• Apple iPad 2 (running iOS)

Will 2011 continue the tablet trend as we see more slate devices emerge on the market? Soon, we'll complete a circle as these slate tablets morph into laptop-style devices with removable keyboards.  Does this mean that netbooks will be making a comeback in the near future?

HP Slate 500 vs. HP PalmPad

We know that the HP Slate 500 is running Windows 7. It's a full slate tablet PC.

The rumored HP PalmPad will run HP webOS, so it should have much longer battery life as it competes against the Apple iPad and Android slates like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Will the PalmPad include an active digitizer for pen-based computing? Will webOS be the only operating system option? (wouldn't it be nice if we could load Android on the device? I'm sure someone will find a way to do that).

I'm so accustomed to using an active digitizer pen for inking and writing notes. Given that the current iPad only accommodates capacitive touch, it's very difficult to accurately use a stylus pen to draw/write/ink on the screen. That's where the HP Slate 500 has a significant advantage. I'm eager to know if the upcoming PalmPad will also include an active digitizer.

The HP Slate 500 runs $799. How much will the HP PalmPad run? $499, $599, or $699? (surely it won't be $799). 

HP webOS tablet

What do we know so far about the upcoming HP webOS tablet?

• It's coming in early 2011
• Minimal design, slim, long battery life
• Bluetooth keyboard accessory option (no surprise here)
• Code name Topaz
• Real name: Palm Pad? HP Slate 600?
• Obviously running HP webOS, but which version? HP webOS 2.0, or will there be a 3.0 by the time the tablet gets released?

Given that HP has a business/professional slate tablet with the HP Slate 500, will the webOS tablet be a "consumer" product or will it also be aimed at the business professional?

HP PalmPad running webOS coming in early 2011

According to several different sources, it's confirmed: HP is releasing a slate tablet called the PalmPad in the early part of 2011. This slate will run webOS. Perhaps this is the consumer version of the HP Slate. The business/professional version of the HP Slate will run Windows 7 (I think).

That seems to make sense to me. A slate tablet running webOS should be easier to use, less expensive, and have better battery life. It would be perfect for consumers who are looking for a multimedia or entertainment device (or gaming device, or e-book reader, or mobile web browser).

For business professionals who are looking for a mobile tablet, it seems to make more sense to offer a device that runs Windows 7. This way, you won't get caught up looking for virtualization options if you need to run your enterprise software on your mobile slate. I can't wait to get my hands on one!

HP Slate rumors

There are more rumors circulating about the HP Slate. I'm not sure what to believe, given that it seems to make sense that HP would want to create a slate that runs webOS instead of Windows 7. However, will HP create a device that runs both operating systems? Will they release different models, each running a different OS? Or, are these rumors simply the results of creative imaginations?

Is the Windows 7 HP Slate dead?

I'm looking forward to seeing the HP Slate when it finally comes out, but I want to know which OS it's going to run.

HP slate tablet running webOS (coming soon)

As we expected, it appears that HP will be releasing a slate tablet running webOS. That probably makes more sense than coming out with a slate tablet running Windows 7. Perhaps the acquisition of Palm will put HP in a new position to market novel slate tablets that will effectively compete against the Apple iPad.

I also hope that HP will create some tablets running Google Android. We know that Dell and several other companies are coming up with slates running Android, but I'd like to see more players jump into this market.

I'm really hoping that medical students and residents will have more low-cost options for slim slate tablets they can use in the hospital setting. After all, the iPad is a great device but it's priced higher than most netbooks. Medical students who are living on tight budgets may have difficulty affording premium devices like the iPad, but let's hope that Android pads and webOS pads will put enough pressure on Apple that overall prices will eventually come down.

Will HP kill the Slate running Windows 7?

Rumors are circulating everywhere that HP is going to kill the Slate. Is it because of Windows 7? The limited battery life? Read the report on TechCrunch.

Given that HP is buying Palm, maybe they're going to release a slate tablet running webOS instead of Windows 7. Other hardware manufacturers are developing slates running Google Android, but HP could be the only one making a slate running webOS.

If HP wants a product that will effectively compete against the Apple iPad, then a slate running webOS makes more sense. A slate running Windows 7 probably doesn't make sense unless battery life and performance improves significantly. If HP creates a slate tablet running webOS, then battery life and performance should be at the same level as the Apple iPad.