HP is reportedly planning to launch a new white HP TouchPad with a spec bump as soon as next month. It will come with 64GB of storage space and an upgraded processor chip (a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon is a possibility), according to confidential HP product brief obtained by Pre Central. The AT&T cellular version of the TouchPad meanwhile is also due in August, and will be branded as 4G since it will support AT&T's 4G HSPA+ network.
Furthermore, HP plans to launch the Pre3 and Opal in the fall. The Opal is HP's 7-inch webOS tablet. Last month, a rumor suggested that HP may launch a 7-inch tablet sometime in August (but that may have been pushed back). HP, the world's largest PC maker, is only now entering the tablet PC arena with the HP TouchPad. Of course, we've expected that HP would release more than just one tablet, but we never thought the company would be pushing them out so soon.
The HP TouchPad is a 9.7-inch slate (1024 x 768 resolution), powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060 processor, 16GB or 32GB of built-in storage, 1GB of RAM, HP's Beats audio, a micro-USB 2.0 port, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a front-mounted 1.3MP camera, as well as a light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, and GPS (3G model only). It measures 242 x 190 x 13.7mm and weighs around 740g. The device is running a WebOS 3.0 with true multitasking, Flash 10.1, a paneled e-mail application, a pop-up notification system like Growl, Skype support, wireless printing, calendar and e-mail integration via HP Synergy, as well as compatibility with Amazon's Kindle ebook store, Google Docs, QuickOffice, and more.
The HP TouchPad was released in the US on July 1, 2011. The device is available from US retailers, commercial resellers, and direct from HP with the option of either 16GB ($500.00) or 32GB ($600.00) of internal storage. Optional accessories (sold separately) for the HP TouchPad include the HP Touchstone Charging Dock ($80), the HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard ($70), and the HP TouchPad Case ($50).