So we already know that HP is planning both a 9-inch and 7-inch tablet based on the webOS it acquired last year from Palm. We know the 7-inch Opal will be released in September, but the 9-inch Topaz may appear as early as March. The leaks are continuing, and more information about HP’s tablet PC push is surfacing.
First, the company may be rolling out the name HP Touchpad for these tablets, according to a trademark HP just applied for. It could be a ruse, but it could also point to a webOS future that furthers de-emphasizes its Palm roots.
In addition, Engadget has received more tips about the tablet specs themselves. They will be using the Beat Audio technology HP has been developing, and there could be a Touchstone charging dock that could turn the “Touchpad” into an alarm clock and digital photo frame. Another cool touch — literally — is the ability to tap an HP tablet and forthcoming smartphone together to share files.
Finally, HP could be using the cloud in a way that Apple hasn’t embraced yet. You’ll supposedly be able to wirelessly access your music collection, which may be a result of the “tens of gigabytes” of cloud storage that will be provided buyers. No details on whether this will require any kind of monthly fee, but it may force Google and Apple to speed their own music cloud services to market.
We’ll find out more during HP’s February 9 event, but what we’ve heard already, if true, is getting more and more interesting.
