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HP TouchPad

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HP TouchPad
File:HP TouchPad.jpg
HP TouchPad on Touchstone charging stand
DeveloperHewlett-Packard
TypeTablet Computer
GenerationFirst Generation Product
Release dateJuly 1, 2011 (US),
July 15, 2011 (Canada, UK, France, and Germany),
August 15, 2011 (Australia)
LifespanJuly 1, 2011 - August 18th, 2011
Introductory priceUS$499.99 (16 GB),
US$599.99 (32 GB) -
DiscontinuedAugust 18, 2011
Operating systemHP webOS 3.0.2
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon S3 APQ8060, dual-core ARM, 1.2GHz [1][2]
Memory1 GB, Mobile DDR2 SDRAM [1][2]
Storage16 or 32 GB, flash memory [1][2]
Display9.7 in (25 cm), 1024 × 768 px XGA, 18-bit color, TFT LCD with IPS, LED-backlit [1][2]
GraphicsQualcomm Adreno 220 core [2]
SoundInternal stereo speakers with Beats Audio, 3.5mm stereo jack for headset / headphone / microphone, vibration motor [1][2]
InputCapacitive Multi-touch screen,
4 resizable virtual keyboards, power / volume / center buttons, microphone, ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer (compass) [1][2]
Camera1.3 MP HD front-facing [1][2]
ConnectivityWi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo,
Hi-Speed microUSB [1][2]
PowerRechargeable, 3.7 V, 6000 mAh, 22.2 W⋅h (80 kJ), lithium-ion polymer battery,[1] charge via microUSB or HP Touchstone [2]
Dimensions240 mm (9.4 in) (w)
190 mm (7.5 in) (h)
13.7 mm (0.54 in) (d) [2]
Mass740 g (26 oz) [2]
RelatedApple iPad 2, BlackBerry PlayBook, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Tablet PC, webOS
Websitewww.hpwebos.com

The HP TouchPad is a tablet computer which was developed and designed by Hewlett-Packard.[3] The HP TouchPad was launched on July 1, 2011, in the United States, and July 15 in Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany.[4]

Initial reviews labelled the release underwhelming, and a number of industry analysts described it as too expensive (same price as iPad 2) and too heavy (23% heavier than iPad 2).[5]

On July 12, 2011, HP announced a new model "HP TouchPad 4G", with a faster 1.5-GHz processor, 32 GB of internal storage, integrated A-GPS, and AT&T 4G HSPA+ wireless mobile broadband capabilities. Though demo models were built and shown at a press show, it was never released for sale.[6]

On August 18, 2011, less than 7 weeks after they were launched in the US, Hewlett-Packard announced that it would discontinue all webOS devices. The price of all remaining Touchpad stock received significant price reductions.[7][8]

Hardware

Overview

The HP TouchPad is one of many new multi-touch, capacitive touchscreen tablets, such as the Apple iPad 2 and Android tablets, but the TouchPad runs HP webOS, which has several notable features, sharing the same card multitasking found in the Palm Pre 2, HP Veer, and HP Pre 3 including the highly regarded "stack" feature.[9] The TouchPad has an unobtrusive drop down notification system for new email, alerts, or software and operating system updates.[citation needed] The TouchPad can run most of the 6000+ apps available for the Pre phones in a phone emulator.[citation needed] "Touch to Share" allows the Pre 3 and the Veer to share information such as websites by touching their sensors with the TouchPad's sensors. The TouchPad can receive calls and text messages forwarded from a webOS powered phone using the same Palm Profile.[10] The TouchPad does not have a phone radio and is unable to receive phone calls or texts by itself.

Screen and input

The HP TouchPad has a 9.7 inch, 1024 by 768 pixel, multitouch capacitive touch screen. Interaction can be by touch screen or a capacitive stylus, available for separate purchase. The TouchPad's virtual keyboard can be configured to one of four preset sizes, and has a number row on top of the common QWERTY layout.

The TouchPad has three separate physical buttons, a sleep/wake button on the top right, a home button at the very bottom of the front that launches the card view or the app launcher, and a set of volume rockers at the right of the device. Holding the power button and the home button together creates a screen snapshot.

Connectivity

The Atheros chipset supports Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth. Although there is no phone radio on the TouchPad, the tablet can share URLs, phone calls, and text messages with webOS phones via Bluetooth pairing.[11]

Audio and output

The TouchPad has internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio.

Power and battery

The TouchPad uses a rechargeable 6300 mAh battery, with optional wireless charging by Touchstone charger. On the Touchstone, the TouchPad enters a mode called Exhibition Mode, which displays simple information such as a clock, schedule or media.[12] The battery life is estimated at nine hours by HP; in a review by Engadget, the battery lasted for about eight and a half hours.[12]

The North America TouchPad model ships with: [2]

  • USB cable, which has a Standard-A plug and Micro-B plug on its two ends.
  • Wall AC to USB power adapter, which has input specifications of 100-240 Volt 50-60 Hz 0.4 Amp AC, and output specifications of 5.3 Volt 2.0 Amp DC. It is cylindrical approximately the size of a "D" battery, and has a foldable 2-prong AC connector on one end. Its HP part number is 157-10157-00.

Gyroscope

The TouchPad features an InvenSense 3-axis gyroscope.[13]

Cost of materials

The TouchPad hardware was disassembled and reviewed. The HP TouchPad's Bill of Materials are stated at $318.15 with an assembly rate of $10.[14]

Optional accessories

Touchstone

The Touchstone is a wireless charging dock. While charging with the Touchstone, the TouchPad can be set to an Exhibition mode, the user chosing whether to display photos in a digital photo frame, or show upcoming appointments. The Touchstone also enables wireless communication between a HP Pre3 and a TouchPad. Tapping on a specific region will transfer web links to the Pre. This technology is known as “Touch to Share”.

Case

The protective case doubles as a stand for watching videos or typing, and does not need to be removed to charge the battery.[15]

Keyboard

A wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a webOS function key next to the space bar is available.

Software

The TouchPad uses webOS 3.0, a card-based multitasking environment. Open applications can be arranged into "stacks." webOS unobtrusively notifies users of messages, emails, and calendar agenda items, appearing on the top right of the screen, rapidly reviewed by a swipe gesture. webOS 3.0 integrates Adobe Flash.

OS features

Video chat

The front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera allows video chat between compatible webOS devices. Skype is integrated in the phone app . Other video calling apps may be available in the HP App Catalog.

Just type

By typing on the main screen, the Touchpad searches contemporaneously across many sources, retrieving matching contacts, mails, web pages, and Twitter and Facebook pages. The home screen can also direct post to social networking sites.

Wireless printing

The TouchPad can print wirelessly to any new and most old HP printers. The wireless printing in the TouchPad is similar to Air Print on iOS 4, but does not require the printer to have specific software.

Synergy

webOS Synergy can integrate accounts on Gmail, Yahoo!, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft Outlook (via Exchange ActiveSync). Calendars from multiple sources can be viewed together or one at a time. For messaging, Synergy combines all conversations with each contact into a single chat-style window.[16]

Kindle

A webOS tablet optimized, preinstalled "Kindle for the TouchPad" directly accesses Amazon's ebook library.[17]

Document editing

Document editing, other than via Google Docs and Box, was not be enabled at launch.[18]

App catalog

A centralized compilation of webOS 3.0 specific apps has not been issued. HP began offering the webOS 3.0 SDK in late March.[19]

Reception

On August 16, 2011, it was reported that Best Buy had only sold 25,000 of 270,000 devices that it had in its inventory and was refusing to pay HP for the rest.[20] In Europe, the Touchpad was estimated to have sold 12,000 in its first month of release with sales slowing significantly in August, with The Register noting that consumer interest in tablets beyond the Apple iPad is low.[21] Industry commentators suggested that the lack of apps for the platform were hindering sales.[22]

"The HP TouchPad, if it were less expensive, could be an extremely strong, if slightly less polished, alternative to the iPad. But like other recently-released high-profile Android tablets, it’s determined to take on the champ. And just like those Android tablets, its hard to recommend over an iPad at the same price."[5]

On August 18, 2011, HP announced in a press release that it will discontinue all webOS devices and is considering spinning off its personal computer unit. WebOS itself will continue to be developed. [23].

On August 19, 2011, HP allowed retailers to sell all remaining stock at extremely low prices. In the USA, the price was $99 for the 16GB model and $149 for the 32GB model.[7] The result was large numbers of buyers rushing to acquire the TouchPad at "fire sale" prices.[24]

On August 22, 2011 a fire sale similar to those in the U.S was staged in Australian Harvey Norman stores. Although the event was not advertised and staff at many stores were not informed until midday, stores in several states were sold out within an hour.[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Cracking Open the HP TouchPad; TechRepublic; June 29, 2011".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m HP TouchPad QuickSpecs; HP; June 19, 2011.
  3. ^ "HP TouchPad - Tablet PC - HP® Official Site - U.S". Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  4. ^ How Green Is The HP TouchPad?
  5. ^ a b "LX News Review of Touchpad". Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  6. ^ HP TouchPad 4G Press Release; HP; July 12, 2011.
  7. ^ a b http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/19/hp-issues-touchpad-liquidation-order-get-yours-now-for-100/
  8. ^ Trout, Christopher. "Let the liquidation begin -- HP's 16GB TouchPad on sale for $99". Engadget. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  9. ^ "HP webOS - High connectivity, stability and security - HP® Official Site - U.S." Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  10. ^ "HP Touchpad – first thoughts and tips « TechOpsGuys.com". Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  11. ^ HP http://www.palm.com/us/products/pads/touchpad/index.html. Retrieved 2011-03-30. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ a b "HP TouchPad review". Engadget. June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  13. ^ "Cracking Open the HP TouchPad". {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  14. ^ Actual Cost of HP TouchPad. http://www.webosbuzz.com/content/186-cost-hp-touchpad-materials-318.html
  15. ^ "HP TouchPad". Palm, Inc. February 9, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  16. ^ "Palm Unveils All-new webOS" (Press release). Palm, Inc. 2009-01-08. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  17. ^ "Engadget". Engadget. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  18. ^ Dan Ramirez. webOSroundup. CONFIRMED: HP TouchPad Won’t Have Have Document Editing at Launch. 6/17/2011 http://www.webosroundup.com/2011/06/confirmed-hp-touchpad-wont-have-document-editing-at-launch/
  19. ^ Kevin McLaughlin. CRN. HP Opens WebOS App Catalog To TouchPad Developers. 20110602. http://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/229900067/hp-opens-webos-app-catalog-to-touchpad-developers.htm;jsessionid=+jA35ZR-hGjK7I9rNZ2XJw**.ecappj01
  20. ^ Hesseldahl, Arik (08-17-2011). "Ouchpad: Best Buy Sitting on a Pile of Unsold HP Tablets". AllThingsD. Retrieved 17 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Kunert, Paul. "People don't want tablets, they want iPads". The Register. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  22. ^ Adhikari, Richard. "Is the HP TouchPad Untouchable?". Technewsworld. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  23. ^ http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2011/110818b.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news
  24. ^ HP TouchPad mania: TouchPads selling out in U.S.; LA Times; August 20, 2011.
  25. ^ Chris Griffith, August 22, 2011, Harvey Norman sells HP TouchPad at $100, The Australian
  26. ^ ASHER MOSES AND BEN GRUBB, 22 Aug, 2011,HP TouchPad fire sale: slashed from $499 to $99 in a week, The Border Mail

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to TouchPad.
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