HP WebOS, Windows Tablets Are Real

We now finally have confirmation that HP plans to bring to the market both Windows and WebOS-based tablets, the first time the company has publicly confirmed its plans. The confirmation came from personal systems chief Todd Bradley during the company's quarterly results call.

HP's on again/off again Windows Slate would be the first to appear in "the near future." This would be followed by the release of the WebOS tablet -- which some are guessing will be dubbed the PalmPad -- early in 2011. There is very little detail as to the specifics of these devices, but at least we can officially put to rest the speculation on the company's plans, no?

The acquisition of Palm led many to believe that the company would be more apt to sell a tablet based on WebOS simply because it would obviously be cheaper to use in-house code. But the company's silence on its plans, and even some of its public statements, led some in the media to speculate that it had given up on the Windows Slate altogether.

In any case, all this apparent delay is good for one company in particular, and that's Apple. It's iPad continues to be the flagship device of this market segment, and the longer competitors wait, the further it will get out ahead. Time is of the essence here.

This story, "HP WebOS, Windows Tablets Are Real" was originally published by Technologizer.