Yesterday we heard that an HP TouchPad tablet was purchased from Best Buy and was found to be running Android 2.2 out of the box, and now it would appear that two devices have turned up with Android 2.2 installed.
Android developer Jiwanish managed to get his hands on one of the TouchPads running Android 2.2, and he has released the full system dump to RootzWiki, which will allow other developers to make some progress in porting Android to the HP TouchPad.
It would appear that the version of Android 2.2.1 that came pre-loaded on the two HP TouchPads was a test version from the Qualcomm Innovation Center, as their logo appeared on bootup.
Implications for the Developer Community
The release of the full system dump by Jiwanish is a significant development for the Android developer community. This system dump provides a wealth of information and resources that can be used to further the development of Android on the HP TouchPad. Developers can now analyze the system files, drivers, and other components to understand how Android was integrated into the TouchPad hardware. This could potentially lead to more stable and fully functional Android ports for the device.
Moreover, the availability of this system dump opens up opportunities for custom ROM developers to create optimized versions of Android for the TouchPad. Custom ROMs often come with enhancements and features that are not available in the stock version of the operating system. This could make the TouchPad a more versatile and powerful device for users who prefer Android over the native webOS.
Historical Context and Future Prospects
The HP TouchPad was originally launched with webOS, an operating system developed by Palm, which HP acquired in 2010. Despite its innovative features, webOS struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by iOS and Android. The discovery of TouchPads running Android 2.2.1 suggests that there were internal efforts, possibly by Qualcomm, to explore Android as an alternative operating system for the device. This is particularly interesting given that HP eventually discontinued the TouchPad and ceased development of webOS hardware.
The fact that these TouchPads were found with a test version of Android from the Qualcomm Innovation Center indicates that there may have been plans to officially support Android on the device. Qualcomm, being a major player in the mobile chipset industry, has the technical expertise to optimize Android for various hardware configurations. Their involvement suggests that the Android version on these TouchPads could be quite stable and well-optimized.
For users and developers, this discovery reignites interest in the HP TouchPad. Although the device is no longer in production, the ability to run Android could extend its usability and relevance. Enthusiasts who own a TouchPad can now look forward to potentially running a modern version of Android, thanks to the efforts of the developer community.
You can find out more information about the Android 2.2.1 system dump for the HP TouchPad over at RootzWiki.
Source Android Police
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