HP Confirms WebOS and Windows Tablets/Slates
Two tablets that have been talked about for months have been confirmed.
Talk of this device has been going on for a while now, even though we haven't had any official word from HP on it. Now we've finally got confirmation: All that talk of a WebOS tablet from HP was true; and yes, it's launching sometime at the beginning of next year. Also in the cards? A Windows tablet, despite the supposedly axed HP Slate.
Last week, word got out that a HP WebOS tablet called Hurricane had been discussed in an all hands meeting. Though tipsters didn't have any information -- other than the fact that project Hurricane had been mentioned by Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley -- it matched up with earlier reports that said HP would launch a WebOS tablet called Hurricane – though those pointed to a Q3 2010 launch as opposed to Q1 2011.
The company has also been talking about a Windows 7 slate for a very long time, debuting the HP Slate at CES last January. At the time, it was expected to see a June release but it never appeared and word on the street was HP had axed it. However, it seems that's not the case. Todd Bradley yesterday put an end to talk by confirming both devices, and gave a rough estimate of when we can expect to see them hit shelves.
"You'll see us with a Microsoft product out in the near future and a webOS-based product in early 2011," Bradley, said at the company's third-quarter earnings call, later confirmed that he was talking about tablets.
Bradley provided nothing else in the way of information, but gadget fans eager to see a tablet running Windows will be excited to hear HP hasn't completely ditched the OS, as we'd originally feared.
HP yesterday posted Q3 earnings with $2.3b in operating profit, a five percent increase over the same period last year. GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.75, up from $0.69 percent a year earlier, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.08, up from $0.92. This includes a one-time negative impact of approximately $0.02 per share related to a legal settlement. The company posted quarterly revenue of $30.7 billion, an 11 percent increase over last year.
Check out the full press release on HP's earnings for more.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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tntom Sounds like the best of both worlds. Maybe they will even have a dual boot model so the consumer can choose.Reply -
sandmanwn DarkersonIm really surprised they are still gonna do a windows tablet considering they have WebOS now.Using an OS found in 90% of consumers computers is surprising to you???Reply -
ethanolson I'm under the impression that the Windows tablet will actually be Windows Embedded so they can selectively strip a lot out of the OS that is only for the 5% crowd, but makes windows runner slower than it needs to.Reply -
nevertell sandmanwnUsing an OS found in 90% of consumers computers is surprising to you???Yes, since most x86 desktop pc's use an OS that is designed to have lots of ram, lots of cpu power and a keyboard at it's disposal. I'd rather NOT use windows on a tablet, I would be happy with linux, since you can modify it right till the edge of reason and in the end of the day not wait a minute for it to boot up. If it's XP, then BSOD's or just regular day-to-day crashes are imminent. And who wants their tablet to crash when they are on the go ?Reply -
christopherknapp It will likely be Windows 7 "Starter" or something like it. I don't see it being XP, it is too dated.Reply -
Darkerson I think people misunderstood me a little here. When I said I was surprised by them still making a windows based tablet/slate, it wasn't a sleight against windows at all. They went and bought Palm and got WebOS out of the deal. I just assumed they would only want to use their in house OS now, instead of Windows. Jeez...Reply
Anyway, I am glad they are bringing out a tablet/slate with each OS. More options for the consumers. -
baracubra I hope one of them will have the option to use a stylus pen so I can actually write and create documents. That was one of the main reasons that kept me from getting an ipad (and that its a piece of crap hardware wise). I want to be able to use it in classes to take notes and not just browse the net on the crapper like the ipad :)Reply -
hiruu Gimme something to print from, and omething that I can plug my USB devices to, and I'm good!Reply -
rrobstur hiruuGimme something to print from, and omething that I can plug my USB devices to, and I'm good! i dont know man maybe as a periphial printing device such as iP100 that would be cool but but i dont want some bulky curve coming off one side of my tablet to accomidate for a printer. now if they could do a solution "ten years from now" to keep the back plan straight, and tablet under 10 lbs im game. still, i think this tablet isnt half bad.Reply