HP TouchPad Hits US July 1 From $500

HP has confirmed that its TouchPad webOS tablet will launch in the US on July 1 2011, priced from $499.99 for the 16GB WiFi-only model. The 32GB version of the 9.7-inch slate will be priced at $599.99. Meanwhile, UK, Ireland, France and German availability will follow on "a few days later", before Canada gets the TouchPad in mid-July.

Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore will see the HP TouchPad launch later in 2011, dates currently unspecified. The AT&T WWAN-connected version of the tablet will arrive "later this summer."

The TouchPad will support HP's Touch to Share technology, swapping data with webOS phones like the Pre 3 and the Veer (the latter following an incoming firmware update) simply by tapping them against the tablet. More information on the HP TouchPad in our hands-on.

HP TouchPad hands-on:

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Press Release:

HP Announces HP TouchPad Availability for United States, Europe and Canada

Wi-Fi version of first HP webOS tablet also coming to Asia Pacific later this year

PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the Wi-Fi version of HP TouchPad will be available in the United States on July 1.

"The platform's unmatched features and flexibility will continue to differentiate HP products from the rest of the market for both personal and professional use. This is only the beginning of what HP's scale can do with webOS."

HP's first webOS tablet will be available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany a few days later and in Canada in mid-July, with availability scheduled to follow later this year in Italy and Spain, as well as in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore.

HP TouchPad will be available from U.S. retailers, commercial resellers and direct from HP with the option of either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage(1) for $499.99 and $599.99, respectively.(2) Preorders in North America and Europe will begin June 19.

"What makes HP TouchPad a compelling alternative to competing products is webOS," said Jon Rubinstein, senior vice president and general manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HP. "The platform's unmatched features and flexibility will continue to differentiate HP products from the rest of the market for both personal and professional use. This is only the beginning of what HP's scale can do with webOS."

With webOS, HP TouchPad users have a next-level multitasking experience, access to the web, premium audio playback with stereo speakers and Beats Audio™ technology, the ability to find information on the device or in the cloud using the Just Type feature, integrated access to their information with HP Synergy, and HP's exclusive Touch to Share capability for sharing web addresses between HP TouchPad and compatible webOS phones.(3)

Optional accessories for HP TouchPad include the HP Touchstone Charging Dock, the HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard and the HP TouchPad Case (sold separately).

HP also announced it will be partnering with AT&T to introduce a connected version of HP TouchPad later this summer. More information will be available closer to availability.

U.S. retailers and commercial resellers for HP TouchPad will include Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Sam's Club, OfficeMax, Amazon.com, Fry's, Microcenter, other leading local and regional retailers, and HP's online stores. Specific pricing and availability for HP TouchPad in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom will be announced regionally. Details for Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore and Spain will be announced at a later date.

More information about HP TouchPad, including product features and specs, is available at www.hpwebos.com/us/products/pads/touchpad.

About HP

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context-aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

Editor's note: Media can access high-resolution images and video in the HP webOS Media Library at www.hpwebos.com/mml.

(1) User-available storage subject to change based on system software and application usage.

(2) Estimated U.S. street prices. Actual prices may vary.

(3) Requires TouchPad with webOS 3.0 and Pre 3 (pending availability) or Veer (requires future over the air update). Viewing URL web page content requires data connection via Wi-Fi or cellular connection.