HP Unveiled Their Potential Competitor to iPad / iPad 2
The real action comes from the impressive webOS
HP finally announced its new tablet to the world. Called the HP TouchPad, the tablet is the result of Palm being absorbed into the world of HP with webOS beating at the heart of the device. With more sliding and swiping than you can throw a stick at, this new version of Palm’s webOS brings the software up to version 3.0 and it’s never looked so good.
Impressive Hardware Specifications
With a shiny new OS, HP had to come up with some impressive hardware to partner it:
- Weighs 1.6lb
- 9.7" Touch Screen
- 1024×768 resolution
- Dual-Core 1.2GHz SnapDragon CPU
- 1.3 MP front facing camera
- Beats Audio technology
TouchPad vs iPad
HP is the one pushing the envelope when it comes to cramming the fastest CPUs into a tablet device. Another interesting spec is the screen size and resolution. That’s the same screen that’s currently used in Apple’s iPad, which probably explains why the TouchPad bears more than a slight resemblance to the wonder-tab. Whether the second-generation iPad will use the same screen or go pixel-mad remains to be seen with rumors and opinions falling on both sides.
Obviously people will draw comparisons with the iPad when looking at a TouchPad, and with good reason. Both are the same size, same color, and same form factor. The similarities even stretch to some of the apps HP have put together, with their email app in particular looking all too familiar.
The New webOS
The real action comes from the impressive webOS. Many have said for a while now that Palm’s operating system was let down by poor hardware in the shape of the original Pre, and few could argue. Anyone who’s spent any time with a Pre will admit the OS showed promise but was hamstrung by a slow CPU, not enough RAM and a poor screen. Now however, things are different.
Watching the videos posted by Engadget (see below), it’s clear that the beefy CPU gives webOS the power it needed since day one. Panes slide smoothly, zooms are effortless and the ‘real’ multitasking (at least appears) to work beautifully. Whether this fluidity continues after hours of heavy use though, we just don’t know as yet.
Comments
Be the first to write a comment
You must me logged in to write a comment.