What do you do when you have something you won’t use but knows someone else will? You give it to them, of course! HP did a similar thing today by releasing more source code related to webOS. They’ve released the code of Isis webOS browser which is a work in progress based on technologies like QtWebkit and JavaScriptCore. HP says it’s a very fast web browser with support for latest web technologies and compatibility.

HP also released its “governance model” on how the open source webOS will be released.

Feeling itchy to try the browser? Compile it yourself or grab the compiled .ipk file from the link below.

WebOS Nation Forum

[Via HP Developer Blog]

HP may have stopped sales of webOS-powered TouchPad but its good to see the computer company still working on the underlying software. HP has released a new over-the-air update for TouchPad that will add some new features to the webOS.

The webOS 3.0.4 brings a new camera app, adds the ability to pair with non-webOS devices, supports OGG format and some user interface improvements along with better performance.

[Via Palm Blog]

HP has started to shake things further with its webOS business unit. After announcing to discontinue making webOS equipped hardware, leaked HP memos confirm that the webOS Global Business Unit will be split into two units. The hardware division that made webOS equipped devices will stay under Personal Systems Group, waiting to be spun-off soon whereas the webOS software team will move to HP’s Office of Strategy and Technology that will be used to evaluate different scenarios under which the webOS can be used.

You can read both memos by Todd Bradley and Shane Robison at the link below.

[Via Pre Central]

Missed out on the HP TouchPad fire sale due to the maddening demand? Well, HP has confirmed that they’ll give interested consumers a second chance by producing one last batch of TouchPad, which will be in limited numbers. We’re not sure how many will turn up for the actual sale but expect some good number.

HP TouchPad’s demand skyrocketed a few weeks back when HP decided to cease development of the TouchPad hardware and mark the unsold TouchPad inventory price down to $99 and $149 for 16GB and 32GB respectively.

Do check out the detailed FAQ on HP’s blog in case the defunct webOS device interests you.

HP Blog

If you thought Google’s acquisition of Motorola was the biggest tech news this week, HP has taken the cake by announcing to discontinue webOS. The exact reason is unknown but HP will stop producing webOS devices, which includes all the webOS phones and TouchPad tablet. HP hasn’t mentioned anything about webOS except that they’ll ” continue to explore options to optimize the value,” which in other words could mean HP is looking for buyers.

In another surprising news, HP is trying to consider options for its hardware business like completely spinning off the unit or a part.

Press Release

HP has announced the pricing and availability of its first webOS powered tablet. The TouchPad will be released in the United States on July carrying a price tag of $499 and $599 for 16GB and 32GB respectively.

As for the availability in other regions, HP has confirmed that consumers in UK, France, Germany and Ireland will get the tablet soon after the US launch whereas Canada will get it in mid-July. Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore will get later this year.

To rehash, 9.7-inch TouchPad features a dual-core Snapdragon processor, 3G, touchscreen display supporting XGA resolution (1024×768), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, front-facing 1.3MP camera, 16 or 32GB internal storage, touchstone technology support for wireless charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, touch-to-share support and 6,300mAh battery.

In addition to Pre3 and Veer devices, HP also introduced a TouchPad tablet, powered by webOS. The TouchPad is HP’s answer to Apple’s iPad and although TouchPad resembles Apple’s offering, the HP tablet is spec’d superiorly.

The 9.7-inch TouchPad features a dual-core Snapdragon processor, 3G, touchscreen display supporting XGA resolution (1024×768), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, A-GPS, front-facing 1.3MP camera, 16 or 32GB internal storage, touchstone technology support for wireless charging, 3.5mm headphone jack, touch-to-share support and 6,300mAh battery.

TouchPad will go on sale in summer this year.

HP at an event yesterday unveiled new offerings powered by webOS. The two smartphones that made its way out are Pre3 and Veer. The HP Pre3 is similar in design like its predecessor but ups the ante with a 3.58-inch WVGA touchscreen display and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon (MSM8x55) 1.4GHz processor.

Pre3’s feature set includes 3G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8 or 16GB internal memory, vertical sliding QWERTY keyboard, Gesture Area, A-GPS, 5MP camera with 720p HD video recording support, front-facing camera, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, mobile hotspot support, 1230mAh battery and unique Touch-to-Share function that allows to share web addresses between your Pre3 and HP’s TouchPad tablet.

No details on exact pricing or availability but Pre3 will arrive in summer.

While most smartphones today are going bigger in size, HP has created Veer, touted as the smallest webOS smartphone. Veer is the size of a credit card and thick as a deck of card but packs in full smartphone functionality as well as a physical QWERTY keyboard.

Veer has a 800MHz CPU and features a 2.57-inch (320×400) display, 3G, Gesture Area, 8GB internal memory, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, 5MP camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and more.

Veer will be available in early spring at an undisclosed price.

Product Page [Pre3]
Product Page [Veer]

We know now what to expect at HP Palm’s event scheduled next month. Engadget has got their mitts on info and pics of HP Palm’s very first tablets – namely, Topaz and Opal. Topaz and Opal sport 9-inch and 7-inch screen respectively but are powered by Palm’s powerful webOS. The Opal will apparently be targeted as an e-reader and will also have something called as “premium audio,” which Engadget speculates to be three speakers for portrait and landscape modes.

Although, most of the intrinsic specs are under wraps, the tablets are expected to have a front-facing camera, microUSB port and a gesture area.

HP is eyeing to launch the Opal tablet in September 2011 with Wi-Fi, 3G and Verizon LTE variant going on sale in the same month whereas the AT&T LTE expected in July 2012.

HP has announced a significant update to Palm’s webOS operating system. The webOS now jumps to version 2.0 and brings a lot of new features. Some of the notable one found in webOS 2.0 are improved multitasking, Just Type, HP Synergy, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, Skype Mobile (Verizon users only), browser with HTML5 support, VPN, Bluetooth keyboard, Exhibition that automatically shows the pre-defined task when charged on a Touchstone Charging Dock and more.

Taking advantage of this new OS is Palm’s Pre 2. Pre 2 will be initially launched in France, US and Canada and boasts a 1GHz CPU, 3G, 3.1-inch multitouch screen (320×480), slide-out QWERTY, Wi-Fi with hotstpot support, 5MP camera with LED flash, GPS, geotagiing support, Bluetooth 2.1, 16GB internal memory and 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pre 2 will be available from Friday from SFR in France whereas US and Canada will get the phone in the coming months.

Product Page

Press Release