HP plans webOS tablets and printers

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 19 May 2010 at 14:40

HP plans to make the most of its acquisition of handheld manufacturer Palm by using the company's well-regarded webOS operating system in a range of new products.

HP is in the process of paying $1.2bn (£832m) for the handheld manufacturer and at least part of the reason for the takeover was HP's interest in the webOS operating system, which was designed with touchscreens in mind.

HP says it “plans to invest heavily” in the lightweight operating system and has already earmarked key product areas that could benefit from touchscreen interfaces.

“After closing the acquisition, we expect to leverage webOS and the apps store beyond smartphones,” said chief executive Mark Hurd in a statement to investors.

He said the company would look at “form factors such as slates and web-connected printers. As they connect to the web, they need an OS.”

The internet rumour mill has been predicting a webOS-based tablet from HP since days after the acquisition, with unnamed sources predicting HP could ditch Windows 7 as its slate-based operating system. The predicted device – codenamed Hurricane – is widely expected to be launched this autumn.

HP last year launched the first web-connected touchscreen printer, the Photosmart Premium Touchsmart Web, which consumers could use to access and print maps and other content from the web without a PC. WebOS could make a natural partner for similar printers in the future.