Not even a full 24 hours after confirmation that HP would be discontinuing development of webOS hardware, memos sent to HP dealers have confirmed that the manufacturer of the TouchPad has authorized a massive discount on the TouchPad from its first price cut just one week ago.
Beginning tomorrow, all dealers and resellers have been authorized to cut pricing on the HP TouchPad 16 and 32GB models from their $399.99 and $499.99 pricepoints all the way down to $99.99 and $149.99 respectively, earning the deserved ire of those that purchased their hardware at launch last month, and no immediate recourse seems to be available for them at this time.
The TouchPad features a 1.2GHz processor with 512MB of DDR2 memory, 9.7-inch capacitive display at XGA (1024 x 768) resolution with an oleophobic (germ resistant) Gorilla Glass front, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera and dual-band 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi radio.
It is not clear if all retailers will honor the price match, but we encourage people to purchase a device now (if stores are still open in your area), and try to price-match tomorrow. Even if your price match is not honored tomorrow, we suggest holding onto the device and see if stores will honor price matches in the near future.
Can you install another, currently supported OS?
No
Who cares for the price!
I agree with RW
I suspect with the volume in sales that will occur, especially among the tech savvy, that this device will likely see many hacking projects that will yield conversion to other platforms.
There’s not a whole lot stopping the TouchPad from running Android or MeeGo.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if HP doesn’t continue to update the TouchPad as a reference platform, while looking for a buyer for webOS, or possibly continuing to support it as a SaaS play for handset manufacturers seeking an alternative to Android.
By getting a userbase of a half million TouchPad owners, on top of a couple million existing webOS users, there’s not a lot stopping HP from pitching webOS as the platform still gunning for third place. Windows Phone 7 does not have a dominant stake on that position just yet, despite what Nokia may protest (too much).
Cannot confirm yet, but we have unverified reports of webOS phones having similar price cuts, even no-contract pricing. If you really want a webOS phone, you may also want to get in line at your local Best Buy tomorrow.
I just got one at office depot 149.00
[…] HP Fire Sale on TouchPad Starting Tomorrow: $99.99 for 16GB and $149.99 for 32GB […]