HP were due to launch their first tablet which would run Windows 7, and the tablet was going to be called the HP Slate, that was until HP decided to buy Palm and then announce that the HP Slate would be shelved.
HP then told us that they would be investing heavily in Palm’s webOS operating system that runs on the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi smartphones, and that they would also start producing tablets based on webOS.
It seems details have been revealed of the first webOS based tablet from HP, and it will be called the HP Hurricane. According to the Examiner who got the information from a HP Insider, HP’s first webOS tablet will launch in Q3 of 2010.
HP’s Strategic Shift to webOS
The decision to pivot from Windows 7 to webOS was a significant strategic shift for HP. By acquiring Palm, HP gained access to a robust and versatile operating system that had already proven its capabilities on smartphones like the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi. This move was seen as HP’s attempt to differentiate itself in the burgeoning tablet market, which was becoming increasingly competitive with the likes of Apple’s iPad and various Android tablets.
webOS was known for its intuitive user interface and multitasking capabilities, which allowed users to run multiple applications simultaneously. This was a feature that HP hoped would set the HP Hurricane apart from its competitors. Additionally, webOS had a unique card-based system for managing open applications, which was both visually appealing and functional.
Anticipated Features and Market Expectations
Unfortunately, there are no details on what sort of hardware we will see inside the HP Hurricane Tablet, although we expect it to be very similar to the original HP Slate, which HP have already invested in developing. The HP Slate was rumored to feature a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1 GB of RAM, and a 32 GB SSD. If the HP Hurricane were to adopt similar specifications, it would be a formidable device in terms of performance.
Moreover, the HP Hurricane was expected to feature a capacitive touchscreen, front and rear cameras, and possibly even support for Adobe Flash, which was a significant selling point at the time. The inclusion of Flash support would allow users to experience a full web browsing experience, something that was notably absent on the iPad.
As soon as we get some more details on the HP Hurricane Tablet we will let you guys know.
Potential Impact on the Tablet Market
The launch of the HP Hurricane could have had a significant impact on the tablet market. With webOS’s strong multitasking capabilities and user-friendly interface, the HP Hurricane had the potential to attract both consumers and enterprise users. The enterprise market, in particular, could benefit from webOS’s ability to handle multiple applications efficiently, making it a valuable tool for productivity.
Furthermore, HP’s extensive distribution network and brand recognition could have helped the HP Hurricane gain traction quickly. Retail partnerships and HP’s existing customer base would have provided a solid foundation for the tablet’s success.
In conclusion, while the HP Hurricane was an exciting prospect, its ultimate success would have depended on various factors, including hardware specifications, software performance, and market reception. As the tablet market continued to evolve, it would have been interesting to see how the HP Hurricane fared against its competitors.
via Engadget
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
