Well this is rather disappointing. It turns out that the HP TouchPad may not have document editing on launch. If true, this could be a big blow to corporate customers who wanted to buy the device en masse for their employees.
It's worth noting that there is no document editing in any of the TouchPad demos we have seen so far. That's not just a coincidence: the feature is just not ready yet. This is a core functionality that we really think HP should have buckled down and made sure to include.
An anonymous tipster sent PreCentral an HP presentation meant for corporate partners, and it contained the following in the footnotes:
The initial version of QuickOffice Connect Mobile Suite will support viewing of Microsoft Office Word and Excel documents. QuickOffice is expected to make PowerPoint viewing capabilities available at launch via a downloadable update in the App Catalog, and to add PowerPoint editing capabilities via a downloadable update in Q3 2011.
The good news is that this is strictly a software limitation. This means we can expect HP to fix this issue with a future update. In fact, the source claims that some editing capabilities, though it's not clear to what extent, will be introduced via a downloadable update in Q3 2011.
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.
Optional accessories (sold separately) for the HP TouchPad include the HP Touchstone Charging Dock, the HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard, and the HP TouchPad Case. These are expected to be priced at $80, $70, and $50, respectively.
Preorders for the Wi-Fi version of the HP TouchPad in North America and Europe will begin on June 19, 2011, and that the US release date is slated for July 1, 2011. The device will be 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. HP's first webOS tablet will be available in the UK, Ireland, France, and Germany a few days later and in Canada in mid-July, with availability scheduled to follow later this year in Italy and Spain, as well as in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore.