HP: WebOS 'Hurricane' Tablet Coming Early 2011

By Jane McEntegart
published

There's been a lot of talk about Windows 7 and Android tablets, but we haven't heard much about WebOS tablets.

HP recently acquired Palm, and the company made no secret of how pleased it was to have gotten its hands on Palm's WebOS mobile operating system. Former-CEO Mark Hurd was quoted as saying HP didn't buy Palm to get into the smartphone business. Rather, they purchased it for the IP.

"The WebOS is one of the two ground-up pieces of software that is built as a web operating environment…We have tens of millions of HP small form factor web-connected devices…Now imagine that being a web-connected environment where now you can get a common look and feel and a common set of services laid against that environment. That is very valuable proposition."

And it seems to be full steam ahead when it comes to HP's first WebOS device. The company supposedly told employees that it will be launching a WebOS tablet in the first quarter of 2011. Engadget cites several trusted sources that say Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley mentioned the launch, along with codename 'Project Hurricane,' during an all-hands employee meeting earlier this week.

The 'Hurricane' moniker matches up quite nicely with May reports that said HP would launch a WebOS tablet called Hurricane in Q3 of this year. HP recently made headlines by filing for a trademark on the name PalmPad.

Jane McEntegart
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • visa
    It's good to see other tablets coming to the market but Apple has a helluva head start. If it takes until Q1 of next year, it better have some pretty impressive specs.
    Reply
  • brendano257
    I hope they have a good manager overseeing the use of WebOS....oh wait, they all quit xD
    Reply
  • weegee64
    I want a tablet, but the iPad is too expensive. Hopefully the Blackpad, Windows 7 Pad, or this will be cheap enough.
    Reply
  • exodite
    visaIt's good to see other tablets coming to the market but Apple has a helluva head start.That doesn't matter much though, seeing as there's really no market for tablets as it is.

    I mean sure, Apple likes to quote how much stock they've moved on the iPad but if it still sells as much in a years time with the current platform makeup I'd be very surprised.

    It's very much a niche product, a flashy gadget with little or no real usage scenarios.

    There's no killer app, there's nothing you can do on a tablet that any number of other devices won't do as well or - more often than not - better.

    I'm by no means particularly opposed to the iPad though, aside from my usual Apple gripes regarding pricing, connectivity and interoperability. I don't think any tablet, regardless of hard- and software platform, will do particularly well.

    This type of gadget trickles in after desktop computer, TV, notebook computer and smartphone and can't really compete with any of them. It's merely a flashy way to do less than what these devices already offer.

    *shrug* My 2c, obviously.
    Reply
  • koga73
    I love webos. I have a palm pre and since its all based on linux you can install packages and all kinds of stuff
    Reply
  • xerroz
    webos is a very nice looking OS. i like it batter than apples
    Reply
  • godwhomismike
    Awesome, but when are they going to release a new updated Palm Pre? I am pissed at Apple because the iOS4 basically crippled my iPhone 3G and I want a WebOS phone now.
    Reply
  • eddieroolz
    A webOS tablet would be a refreshing choice.
    Reply
  • digitalrazoe
    Gonna have to watch out for this one ..
    Reply
  • kiniku
    I think its great that a WEBOS device is coming to market. But with the explosive growth of Android and their app market place will it have APPS to compete?
    Reply