HP’s recently launched tablet, the TouchPad, didn’t really get too many positive reviews right out the gate, but that’s not stopping the company from launching several new versions of the device over the next few months. According to documents obtained by Pre|Central, HP is going to release a 64 GB white TouchPad in August with an updated processor clocked in at 1.5 GHz versus the existing TouchPad with a 1.2 GHz chip. In addition to a white variant, HP will also release a TouchPad that can connect to AT&T’s HSPA+ network, and in all likelihood it will be labeled a “4G” product. Where things get really exciting is the fall when Opel hits the market. We believe Opel to be the codename of HP’s 7 inch version of the TouchPad, which would put it in competition with a rumored refresh of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the first one, the 7 inch one.
Also in those documents is word that the Pre 3 will be launched in the fall. Anyone remember that thing? Announced back in February of this year at Mobile World Congress, the Pre 3 is a grown up version of the original Pre, sporting a 3.6 inch screen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and the same signature slide out QWERTY keyboard. It’ll feature a single core 1.4 GHz processor, which has a bit concerned since the TouchPad, with a dualcore 1.2 GHz chip, can’t make webOS 3.0 run smoothly enough. Then again the boys at HP should have plenty of time to optimize their code, and if they don’t … let’s not go there.
So the question is should you buy anything from HP, whether it be their tablets or smartphones? Unless you’ve been bitten by the brand loyalty bug, it’s hard to recommend anything in HP’s current and future portfolio. We’re far more excited to see what Android Ice Cream Sandwich has in store, and don’t forget, there’s a new iPhone due to be announced soon.