HP touchpad | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:10:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png HP touchpad | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 HP TouchPad refuses to vanish – more spotted in US https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/raymond-daily/hp-touchpad-refuses-to-vanish-more-spotted-in-us/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/raymond-daily/hp-touchpad-refuses-to-vanish-more-spotted-in-us/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:09:04 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=67561 Hewlett Packard might have made a very expensive mistake with the release of the HP TouchPad, but it seems that they have turned a financial disaster into a high profile ‘bargain tablet for the masses'. WEB OS might be dead, but the HP TouchPad is still very much alive and kicking. The TouchPad was dropped …

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Hewlett Packard might have made a very expensive mistake with the release of the HP TouchPad, but it seems that they have turned a financial disaster into a high profile ‘bargain tablet for the masses'.

WEB OS might be dead, but the HP TouchPad is still very much alive and kicking.

The TouchPad was dropped in price both in the US and UK to £80/$100, were it quickly sold out, in the space of a few weeks. More stock appeared shortly afterwards and again sold out.

Last night in the states Tiger Direct were selling them again for $149.99. This is a little more expensive than the earlier bargain price point, but it is still a heck of deal if you live in America, or have a friend who will ship you one over to the UK. Just watch Customs charges as they hit hard on everything now.

With people already having hacked Android to run on it, these tablets are very much sought after, especially as a play thing. If you happen to see any sales in the UK with stock still available, please let us know.

Kitguru says: Android is said to run well on the tablet, even though it is far from officially supported.

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HP will bring future updates to TouchPad https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/harrison/hp-will-bring-future-updates-to-touchpad/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/harrison/hp-will-bring-future-updates-to-touchpad/#respond Thu, 01 Sep 2011 08:03:23 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=58302 The Hewlett Packard Touchpad has been one of the hottest selling pieces of technology in the last month – thanks to the incredible loss generating price reductions. It appears that HP are not ditching support for the tablet however, with updates coming in the future. HP spoke to CNET this week and told them that …

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The Hewlett Packard Touchpad has been one of the hottest selling pieces of technology in the last month – thanks to the incredible loss generating price reductions. It appears that HP are not ditching support for the tablet however, with updates coming in the future.

HP spoke to CNET this week and told them that customers can look forward to an ‘over the air' update that will enhance the platform and add functionality and a growing application catalog'. HP did not expand on the comment by offering details, but Kitguru has heard from sources that some of the programs will be updated and several new applications will be added to the device.

Hewlett Packard: making a loss on every Touchpad sold, but seemingly loving the attention

They are offering free applications and games right now, such as the ever popular Angry Bird Rio HD title.

Android development on the tablet is said to be underway by several independent developers and we can be sure that over the coming months there will be builds released which will unofficially support the TouchPad – if you can live with some bugs.

Kitguru says: For people who like playing and tinkering with operating systems and various builds it looks as if the Touchpad is a good, low cost investment.

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HP personnel bailing fast – not enough lifeboats to go round https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jules/hp-personnel-bailing-fast-not-enough-lifeboats-to-go-round/ https://www.kitguru.net/channel/jules/hp-personnel-bailing-fast-not-enough-lifeboats-to-go-round/#respond Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:00:19 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=57973 The world is still a little stunned by the declaration by HP, world's number one PC company, that it's not able to thrive in the PC market. In most cases, when a major corporation decides to amputate a section of its business, many of the employees in that area are re-absorbed into other departments. How …

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The world is still a little stunned by the declaration by HP, world's number one PC company, that it's not able to thrive in the PC market. In most cases, when a major corporation decides to amputate a section of its business, many of the employees in that area are re-absorbed into other departments. How will it work with HP? KitGuru spoke with an inside source to get the inside track.

From the outside, we'd imagined that HP was one huge, happy family. When things go wrong for one member of the family, the rest  pull around and provide comfort and support. Right now, inside HP, that does not seem to be the way things are working.

It seems that each division is exactly that, a division, running as separately as its profit and loss account will let it.

We've been told that once HP announced that it was sick and tired of the PC business, there was an instant division among the staff. One half rushed to create new CVs and pound friends for recommendations on LinkedIn in preparation for a series of interviews.

The second group, the senior staff who have been with the company for a longer period of time, began consulting on just how good a severance package could be negotiated with HP HQ.

In both cases, positive communication about HP as a business effectively stopped in the consumer PC teams.

Against a backdrop of negative announcements by the board and staff searching for new roles elsewhere, HP's ferocious price cuts have created a significant bump in demand.

Just days before HP announced its massive change of direction, its UK Managing Director, Nick Wilson, was quoted as saying that he “Needs skilled people but does not want to spend three years training someone” in an interview with Computer Weekly. Ironically, those trained people are now readily available and already sitting in HP offices.

HP's Nick Wilson (right) back in the days when he could relax around the Ryder Cup, contemplating wrapping his hands around a stiff shaft and giving the balls a good whacking

KitGuru says: Right now, there must be some stakeholders who are questioning whether HP's withdrawal was the right decision. Some of them will be shareholders, while others will be HP middle management – looking out at a market where demand is at best level and most companies are as full of staff as they need to be. Tough times indeed for HP peeps. We genuinely wish them luck.

Comment below or in the KitGuru forums.

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HP Touchpad sells out in Germany: £89 in UK https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-sells-out-in-germany-89-in-uk/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-sells-out-in-germany-89-in-uk/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:15:37 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=57140 The Hewlett Packard TouchPad was said to be a challenger for the Apple iPad, but sadly it was not to be . They ditched support for WebOS and as we reported yesterday, the tablet dropped in price to $99 in the US, causing a huge influx of sales across America. According to reports, the Touchpad …

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The Hewlett Packard TouchPad was said to be a challenger for the Apple iPad, but sadly it was not to be . They ditched support for WebOS and as we reported yesterday, the tablet dropped in price to $99 in the US, causing a huge influx of sales across America.

According to reports, the Touchpad has already sold out in Germany at a reduced price, and stores in the UK such as Dixons are selling the 16GB version for £89 (was £350), and the 32gb version for £115 (was £450). As of this morning it would appear the 16gb version has sold out, as it is no longer being listed.

The most expensive launch ever: HP Touchpad.

This reduced price is going to cost Hewlett Packard many millions of dollars and they have stopped manufacturing it already. This launch means that it is one of the most expensive launches in history and also one of the shortest. The Microsoft Kin held the record before, after being on sale for 49 days (Touchpad racked up 48 days).

A DSG spokesperson (parent company of PCWorld, Dixons and Curry's) said “The iPad 2 remains our best-selling tablet by some distance.” Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds.

Kitguru says: £115 for a 32gb tablet. A bargain, or a waste of money? Let's hope someone can hack it to support Android.

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HP Touchpad killed: but people snap it up for $99 https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-killed-but-people-snap-it-up-for-99/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-killed-but-people-snap-it-up-for-99/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:21:24 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=57033 In February, we thought the Touchpad could mount a serious challenge against the Apple iPad. Sadly when it was released the product just wasn't selling, leaving retail stores with huge overstock. With the news that Hewlett Packard had cut support for the platform other stores ditched it completely. HP have slashed the price of the …

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In February, we thought the Touchpad could mount a serious challenge against the Apple iPad. Sadly when it was released the product just wasn't selling, leaving retail stores with huge overstock. With the news that Hewlett Packard had cut support for the platform other stores ditched it completely.

HP have slashed the price of the $399 tablet to $99 assuredly making a loss in the process – this has caused a huge buying spree. The problem however is the lack of support now for the Touchpad. What about new applications and updates?

This is a point mirrored by Writer Brian Caulfield who said “Don’t do it (buy it). That’s because tablets are all about apps. There are just few hundred apps available for the TouchPad, compared to several hundred thousand for the iPad and for rivals running Android compared to more than 100,000 iOS apps that have been optimized for the iPad and more than 1,000 for tablets running Android (and that figure doesn’t count the several hundred thousand apps built originally for phones that can also run on these devices). Worse yet, with HP killing its entire WebOS product line, there’s no reason to believe more are coming.”

At least Hewlett Packard are offering refunds for people who bought the TouchPad at full price. It has certainly been an expensive experience for the computer giant.

Kitguru says: $99, is it worth it?

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HP Touchpad sales problems: Best Buy left with massive stock https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-sales-problems-best-buy-left-with-massive-stock/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-sales-problems-best-buy-left-with-massive-stock/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:32:11 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=56266 All Things D have reported that Best Buy have almost 250,000 Touchpads sitting in their stockrooms. Reports are showing that only 25,000 units have sold so far. All Things D have said that ‘sources familiar with the matter' have passed over information on the flagging sales figures. The report also says that Best Buy are …

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All Things D have reported that Best Buy have almost 250,000 Touchpads sitting in their stockrooms. Reports are showing that only 25,000 units have sold so far.

All Things D have said that ‘sources familiar with the matter' have passed over information on the flagging sales figures.

The report also says that Best Buy are understandably not too happy with the situation. The company have apparently asked Hewlett Packard to take back some of the unsold tablets so they can clear stock room for other items.

Latest information details that HP executives are on route to Best Buy HQ to persuade the retail giant to give the Touchpad more time.

The pricing seems to be dropping also, as HP dropped the initial price tags by $50 two weeks ago. Last week they dropped the price by another $50. There are conflicting views on the price drops however.

Rich Doherty from Envisioneering Group spoke to All Things D saying “After the initial surge of interest after the July release, all those price promotions have caused consumers interested in buying a TouchPad to pause because they think the price is going to fall further.”

Reviews of the TouchPad have been luke warm:

Techradar say “Performance is sluggish. It's not as bad as the worst budget tablets around, certainly, and not all of the time, but it's often enough that it doesn't come across that well for its price point.” scoring it 3 out of 5 stars.

CNET say “The HP TouchPad is up against some serious challengers in its bid to become the titan of tablets. It has some mighty weapons at its disposal, in the form of an attractive user interface, top-notch speakers, and a cracking Web browser. But it will suffer some mortal wounds due to its lack of apps, poor battery life, chubby plastic case and occasionally flaky software.” scoring it 2.5 stars out of 5.

Engadget say “If the Pre 3 were out today and if the TouchPad were $100 less we could maybe see giving it a go, if only to root for the underdog. But, as it is, you have to put your heart and two decades worth of Palm obsession ahead of any buying rationale. With such compelling alternatives readily available, that's asking rather a lot.”

It would appear that the success of the Apple iPad is also having a knock on effect for the TouchPad, with consumers unwilling to take a risk on a ‘new brand' of tablet.

Kitguru says: All hopes seem to lie with Amazon, as they are soon to release their tablet targeting the iPad.

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HP TouchPad looks stunning, but will it make an impact? https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-looks-stunning-but-will-it-make-an-impact/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/tablet-pc/carl/hp-touchpad-looks-stunning-but-will-it-make-an-impact/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 08:34:02 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=33359 Hewlett Packard are due to release two new webOS driven smartphones and a new TouchPad Tablet PC. The Pre3 and Veer smartphones appear to be highly evolved devices with many customers excited about their release and their new TouchPad device is also a technological feast of wonders. The TouchPad will have a videocamera onboard and …

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Hewlett Packard are due to release two new webOS driven smartphones and a new TouchPad Tablet PC. The Pre3 and Veer smartphones appear to be highly evolved devices with many customers excited about their release and their new TouchPad device is also a technological feast of wonders.

The TouchPad will have a videocamera onboard and a full suite of office productivity software with true multitasking support. You can use multiple browsers and it also supports Flash. The package also comes with class leading email support, and photo/video and music capabilities.

Sync support is also impressive, for instance the phones can be linked with the TouchPad by simply touching the two devices together. They can also share email, video and other applications installed.

If you want to learn more, there is a very cool slideshow available over at eweek.com

KitGuru says: The bad news is, that it isn't due out until Summer 2011 and we can't help but wonder if it might struggle to get marketshare by this late stage.

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