HP entices developers with $150 TouchPads; there is hope yet for webOS?

Missed out on the TouchPad firesale in August, and have no interest in getting the tablet in a $280 bundle from Tiger Direct or the HP/Compaq computer bundle from Best Buy? You may have one last chance to get up to two 32 GB TouchPads for $150 if you're a "registered developer" in America, Canada and Europe who is willing to write some apps for the webOS tablet.

HP used to lend out 32 GB TouchPads to North American developers for up to 60 days at a time but that program has been replaced with this "TouchPad Device Purchase Program." I guess the company decided it might as well make some money on webOS developers who will need the devices for their work, especially considering there are still consumers hunting for a budget-friendly TouchPad (or two).

Developers need to sign up with HP by Friday, November 18 to receive your coupon to purchase up to two $150 32 GB TouchPads (€150 in Europe, includes VAT; £130 in the UK, includes VAT) by November 27 or until supply lasts.

As a TouchPad owner, I'm all for more developers coming on-board to come up with new apps for the platform, so I take this as a good sign for webOS' future. What do you think?

[Source: webOS Developer's Center via Woot]

Relate:

• TigerDirect selling HP TouchPads tomorrow; but only in $280 bundles
• $150 HP TouchPad returns to BestBuy.com Nov. 1, but with a twist