HP Kills TouchPad and Smartphones, Puts WebOS in Hibernation

[the_leander]

HP announced it will no longer produce hardware running its webOS mobile operating system, discontinuing operations on future TouchPad tablets and the Pre smartphone devices.

“HP plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones,” the company said in a statement. “HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.”

Full story here.

HP were flogging off the touchpad in UK stores for £90. Currys and PC World sold out about 30 seconds after the discount came in.

Pity though, WebOS had some really cool features.

 

[Glaucus]

And why you should seriously consider getting one: HP TouchPad Android Ports Already Under Way

 

[the_leander]

Tbh, having played a lot with Android and even ordering a tablet recently, I have to say WebOS is a nicer place to be.

Though all of this is academic - They're all gone now. I really can't see any other manufacturers picking up WebOS given that they were more than happy to kill off a two month old product.

The comments section on El Reg though did provide this glorious gem about the recent behaviour of HP:

Mismanagement

If this lot had any less of a clue, they would be a franchise on a British railway or a political party.

 

[Wayne]

If I believe my credit card statements, I have two 32gb units on order from HP.com (completed Sunday night).

I went through the process starting Saturday but kept getting errors. Went back Sunday morning, saw "out of stock" but still had the two in my cart and the system let me order them (*and charged me for them*).

Time will tell whether I ever see them, or get a refund. Tried to sit on hold for Customer Support this morning. Waited 3 hours, gave up. Even their web site says it may take 24-72 hours to even get a confirmation that your order was placed.

With an iPad, not sure why I even bothered, but the idea of using them to VideoCon with my dad over skype is worth it to me. (Yes, I know I could just load it on the desktop, but this is my dad I'm talking about, so getting him to understand it would be easier on a tablet if you can believe that or not).

Wayne

 

[Glaucus]

Ya, I've heard good things about WebOS. But like you said, it's a "still born" platform. It's a little too late to the party I'd say.

Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't think tablets will be really useful until MS releases Windows 8 for the tablets. The iPad would have been a better option if it ran MacOS X on it, but I imagine that would have required too much work from Apple to get it out at the time that they did. Still, Android and iOS should never have left the phone form factor, serious apps should be ran on serious OSes. I was so very tempted to buy the ASUS Eee Transformer + Keyboard for $400 (2 months used), but in the end decided against it as I saw it as just a toy. I decided instead to order a replacement screen for my laptop and now that it's back up and running I can honestly say it's far more useful. After all, I run an Android emulator on my laptop and can run Android apps alongside Windows.

 

[the_leander]

(Yes, I know I could just load it on the desktop, but this is my dad I'm talking about, so getting him to understand it would be easier on a tablet if you can believe that or not).

Yes, actually. I could completely believe that. Even my compuphobic mother can handle a web tablet without too many cold sweats or even being left wide eyed in terror. .

 

[the_leander]

Ya, I've heard good things about WebOS. But like you said, it's a "still born" platform. It's a little too late to the party I'd say.

Possibly, but HP are or at least were probably one of the few companies out there with the muscle to produce a viable 3rd option.

Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't think tablets will be really useful until MS releases Windows 8 for the tablets. The iPad would have been a better option if it ran MacOS X on it,

No, it really wouldn't, for the same reason that Windows on a tablet didn't pick up for the 20 odd years they've been trying to crack it. See the below linked Ars article.

Still, Android and iOS should never have left the phone form factor, serious apps should be ran on serious OSes.

Again, imho I don't think that's the case: Ars explains, there are real world usability reasons for taking the iPad/Android approach to tablets. They aren't replacements for a PC or a laptop and trying to shoehorn a "serious" OS into it just doesn't work.

I was so very tempted to buy the ASUS Eee Transformer + Keyboard for $400 (2 months used), but in the end decided against it as I saw it as just a toy. I decided instead to order a replacement screen for my laptop and now that it's back up and running I can honestly say it's far more useful. After all, I run an Android emulator on my laptop and can run Android apps alongside Windows.

I ended up ordering a £160 Hannspree Hanspad from Ebuyer. I figured for that price it was worth a punt. I'm getting it as a (probably partial) replacement for my expired Eeepc 701.

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

I've seen only resource hungry bloatware from HP....

 

[the_leander]

I've seen only resource hungry bloatware from HP....

The way they're going, that won't be an issue for much longer. That quote from The Register article neatly sums up their current strategy for scaring the crap out of their potential customer base.

 

[Wayne]

Guys, a tablet isn't a PC.

To truly understand the usefulness of one (regardless of your choice of OS), you have to adopt a completely new mindset. Windows 8, 9, 1000, or 1 million isn't going to work because Microsoft simply doesn't "get it" either. They're all still stuck in the paradigm of trying to adapt a PC to work in tablet form, and that's just not it.

Whether you look at an iPad / Android and think "big phone" or "PDA" or whatever is irrelevant. No one can explain clearly to anyone else how wrong they really are when making such comparisons, and NO ONE can sell anyone on the idea of a tablet.

It's up to the individual to make that open-minded leap to buy/use a tablet, and simply stated, some will fall short of being able to embrace the other side.

(For the record, most of our parents were in that boat with the wide-spread introduction of computers 30+ years ago)

 

[the_leander]

Guys, a tablet isn't a PC.

I know. And that ars article explains quite well why, as well as attempts to explain some of the reasoning behind the choices Apple made on how the iPad operates. I do disagree with the article when it says that Win8 will crack it, for precisely the reason you state below. I don't think they have learned the Android/iOS lessons.

To truly understand the usefulness of one (regardless of your choice of OS), you have to adopt a completely new mindset. Windows 8, 9, 1000, or 1 million isn't going to work because Microsoft simply doesn't "get it" either. They're all still stuck in the paradigm of trying to adapt a PC to work in tablet form, and that's just not it.

Agreed on all counts.

Whether you look at an iPad / Android and think "big phone" or "PDA" or whatever is irrelevant. No one can explain clearly to anyone else how wrong they really are when making such comparisons, and NO ONE can sell anyone on the idea of a tablet.

It's up to the individual to make that open-minded leap to buy/use a tablet, and simply stated, some will fall short of being able to embrace the other side.

(For the record, most of our parents were in that boat with the wide-spread introduction of computers 30+ years ago)

Tbh I view the tablet in a similar light to the way I viewed my 701 - as a satellite system - an extension to my PC rather than a full PC in it's own right. Something I can take out and about without constantly shitting myself every time I'm on the bus goes over a pot hole.

So looking forward to getting the Hannspad, should be here on Friday.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't think tablets will be really useful until MS releases Windows 8 for the tablets.

Tablets won't be really useful until they come with keyboards!!!

 

[the_leander]

Tablets won't be really useful until they come with keyboards!!!

Eeepad Transformer, Eeepad Slide, Motorola Zoom.

Also getting a padded case with a keyboard built into it costs around £15.

My work here is done!

 

[Glaucus]

Tablets won't be really useful until they come with keyboards!!!

I tend to agree, which is why the one tablet I was considering, came with a keyboard (although, detachable for extra coolness): Eee Pad Transformer TF101

Plus it's made by ASUS to boot. ASUS quit smartly also padded the bottom side of the keyboard with batteries, giving you 16 hours of run time! A buddy brought one into work the other day, very sweet!

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Eeepad Transformer, Eeepad Slide, Motorola Zoom.

Also getting a padded case with a keyboard built into it costs around £15.

....

I wish to amend my requirements.

Tablets won't be really useful until they come with keyboards, cameras, microphone, GPS, motion detection, IR, bluetooth, GMS, USB, 3D scanners and are under 30 bucks (and the software doesn't suck ... and there's no DRM).

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

I tend to agree, which is why the one tablet I was considering, came with a keyboard (although, detachable for extra coolness): Eee Pad Transformer TF101

Damn you Mike. That's actually pretty tempting.

 

[the_leander]

I wish to amend my requirements.

Tablets won't be really useful until they come with keyboards, cameras, microphone, GPS, bluetooth, USB,

Done.

motion detection

As a separate sensor or will having software that detects changes in the camera be enough?

, IR,

If you're still using IR for anything other than a TV remote you are required by law to hand in your geek card.

GMS

Gesture Motion System? Camera!

,3D scanners

Nice try.

and are under 30 bucks (and the software doesn't suck ... and there's no DRM).

Cheapest half decent tablet I've seen is around £70. But you can kiss battery life goodbye. DRM... I'm sure android has some, but then again so do all OS's made any time in the last 10 years. Sucky software... YMMV

And yet I see you're tempted by the transformer.

If you like that, and have fond memories of the Psion Series 7, you'll love this...

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

GMS

Gesture Motion System? Camera!

No, but that brings up another thing - it should know when I have the letters the wrong way round - but should never auto-correct on those occasions that I actually meant what I said.

And yet I see you're tempted by the transformer.

Was ... until I saw the storage. I remember back in the day when putting a couple of hundred kB on a floppy was considered lots of storage but these days? 32GB? What fits on that? (and I don't store in the cloud .. because I want my stuff WHEN I WANT IT).

 

[Glaucus]

Damn you Mike. That's actually pretty tempting.

The two are sold separately. The tablet itself goes for $400 and the keyboard for $150. I believe Staples sells them.

 

[Glaucus]

Was ... until I saw the storage. I remember back in the day when putting a couple of hundred kB on a floppy was considered lots of storage but these days? 32GB? What fits on that? (and I don't store in the cloud .. because I want my stuff WHEN I WANT IT).

Ya, but it's got SD/USB slots. Android doesn't really differentiate between the two, you can install apps on your SD card if you like. Android also exposes the file system so you can do what ever you like with your storage.