Hardware

HP offers refund to customers who purchased a TouchPad at full retail price

Since HP officially dropped Palm webOS development, they have begun a rapid-fire liquidation sale in which the 16GB HP TouchPad would be offered for $ 99 and the 32GB model would be offered for $ 149.  While it may be difficult to find the HP TouchPad in stock on the online HP web store, it is still a nice gesture from HP and is likely to be very popular.

However, there are many customers who already purchased the HP TouchPad through HP or another retailer before the immense price cut took place.  To remedy the situation, HP is offering customers a full refund on the TouchPad or to return the difference.  Unfortunately, you may have to spend around half an hour on the phone with HP Support until you get your money back, but only because the lines are busy, not because HP is reluctant to return your money.

Interestingly, HP is urging its partner retail stores to refund the device or offer customers the difference, but we’re not sure which retailers are following HP’s suggestion.  If you purchased the TouchPad from Best Buy, Staples, or a different retail location, I would recommend giving them a call and seeing what they will do for you.

Via [WebOS Roundup]

Gadgetell – Computers

ViewSonic reacts to webOS, uses the time to “reaffirm” their commitment to Windows tablets

Almost like kicking someone when they are down, ViewSonic has offered up a press release to remind everyone that they are still selling tablets. In short, ViewSonic has stated that “in the wake of HP’s failed webOS initiative” they are going to remain true to their “tablet strategy.”

HP’s move to launch a tablet with an unknown OS appears to have presented a challenge in marketing their tablet solution. The webOS, unfamiliar to both consumers and enterprises, complicated the tablet sales process and thus deemed a failed experiment.

Sure, it may be a bit harsh and also a bit true and not that we are trying to defend what Palm or HP did (or did not do) with webOS—however we will say this, we have not seen all that much in terms of hype surrounding any of the ViewSonic tablets.

Via [ViewSonic]

Gadgetell – Computers

HTC Puccini tablet could launch as the Jetstream on AT&T

HTC’s internal codename for its upcoming AT&T tablet is Puccini, but that doesn’t mean it is going to launch with that name.  According to a leaked screenshot of the “About Tablet” settings page, the Puccini will likely launch as the HTC Jetstream.  In fact, the WiFi version of HTC’s 7 inch tablet is known as the HTC Flyer, so perhaps HTC is working on a brand recognition that evokes images of flying, speed, and elegance. 

In terms of expected specs, the Jetstream will likely feature a 10.1 inch touch screen display, Android Honeycomb, HTC Sense, a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, HTC Scribe technology, and 4G LTE support. 

Via [PocketNow]

Gadgetell – Computers

HP: webOS operations will shut down by Q4 2011

One of the biggest stories of the day was the surprise announcement that HP would be shutting down its webOS hardware operations. HP said it would be examining other avenues in which to use webOS software, but there won’t be anymore devices such as the TouchPad or Pre. HP elaborated a little more on its decision during its Q3 2011 conference call.

HP CEO Léo Apotheker said sales of the TouchPad “are not meeting our expectations.” Apotheker mentioned how much effect the competitive tablet market has had on the TouchPad in addition to the negative effect the economy has had on sales.

In terms of other webOS devices, Apotheker said those devices have not gained enough traction with consumers.

By the fourth quarter of 2011, HP will shut down webOS operations.

HP chief financial officer Catherine A. Lesjak elaborated even further on HP’s overall decision. Lesjak said “the sell through of the product [TouchPad] was not what we expected.” HP’s webOS business caused the company to lose $ 332 million. HP expected this loss to increase in Q4 2011 if HP did not shut down its webOS operations.

Lesjak said HP would have had to invest significantly in webOS over the next one to two years to attempt to turn a profit. Unfortunately, HP felt there wouldn’t be enough evidence to suggest the company would receive a positive return on that investment.

Gadgetell – Computers

Best Buy giving away Galaxy Tab 10.1 with select HDTVs

Best Buy is gearing up to start a new promotion next week involving the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. From August 21 to August 27, the retailer will give away the 16GB Galaxy Tab 10.1 with every purchase of a couple Samsung HDTVs. Those televisions also happen to be quite expensive.

The first television is a Samsung 46” Class LED 1080p Smart 3D HDTV for $ 1499.99. The second television is more expensive. It’s a 55” Samsung TV with a 3D Starter Kit for $ 1999.99.

Given the bad news that has beset any involved with webOS and the sales numbers for the HP TouchPad, this is not a bid for Best Buy to move unsellable Galaxy Tabs. According to The Wall Street Journal, a Best Buy representative said the store is aiming to sell more televisions. The tablet is being offered as an incentive.

Read [WSJ]

Gadgetell – Computers

Who’s on Crack in Tech: 8.19.11

Welcome to Who’s on Crack, an in-depth look at this weeks moves in the tech world that raise our eyebrows just a bit.  If common sense and logic isn’t behind these moves what is?  Perhaps crack?  Let’s get the accused and you can decide for yourself.

Google loves MOTO
Palm is dead
Android is killing the web

Google buys a RAZR

“Hello Samsung, buddy?  Yeah, it’s me Google.  Hey, just real quick, the news wire is going to light up with some news I wanted you to get first.  We’re buying Motorola.  Samsung, buddy, you still there?”  This week Google sent shock waves through the tech world with their purchase of perhaps the largest manufacturer of hardware that uses their Android mobile device software.  Our Arnold Zafra reported exactly what Larry Page posted: “The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.”

The analysts paint this as Google wanted/needed the patents Motorola held to be able to fend off attacks from the likes of Apple and Microsoft (both seem to be hell bent on flexing patent muscle to limit competition for their mobile platforms).  MOTO refused to unbundle the patents from the mobile division (discount bulk purchase only) and forced Google to buy the kit and caboodle.  So they had to buy the manufacturing arm as well.

Other folks say, “hey, Google is merely copying Apple’s strategy of merely building both the hardware and software, they seem to be having a good go of it.  The Nexus project seems to point to Google’s desire to try some new things, maybe that was a step toward this endgame?

While we may not know the real reasoning behind the bold acquisition, we can rest assured their partners (like Samsung, HTC and LG among others) are asking Google and themselves lots of questions.  So, is Google on crack?  I think we’ll have to wait this one out to see.

OMG, they killed Palm!

$ 1.2 Billion, 18 months and a soft-spot in the hearts of many gadget press-a-teers.  It’s not enough.  HP is learning the hard way that the mobile market is tougher than just showing up with pretty software.  Our Jeremy Hill has the scoop: ““HP reported that it plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones.”

You’ve got to give HP some credit here, walking away from a $ 1.2 billion dollar buy just 18 months ago is tough.  Sunk costs are truly sunk.  Walk away from the blackjack tablet when your losses are at your max.  Everyone knows these rules.

Yet, walking away is tough to do.  The lure of a recent ex is tough to resist.  Even HP is having some trouble walking away from webOS – HP says they are looking for ways to extract value from the OS.  Now, that’s mostly to save some face to investors, but the general consensus is they’ll seek a license or outright sale of the OS.  But to who?

The OS has failed to gain traction and has become a bit tainted in the number of companies that failed to make it successful.  Could Nokia back out of its deal with MS or augment it with a snazzy OS that just needs a few tweaks to be fantastic?  Sony?  HTC?

For the Android partners that woke up to Google now competing with them, this announcement may not have come at a better time.

Android is killing the web

Thanks a lot Android users.  You are killing the web.  At least, according to this survey.  “A new study conducted by Nielsen has shown that when it comes to Android smartphones, users spend way more time with apps than the actual web browser.”

That’s right, forget the web.  It’s over.  It’s so 2005.  Today, its reformatting the web into a native app.  Look at Flipboard, Zite even video reformatters like ShowYou.  We don’t need the web, we just need aggregators.  Adios search engines?

The assumption here is Android users are getting the info they need from dedicated apps instead of going on the web.  The alternative look is Android is very mainstream now, so perhaps these non-tech users are just playing Angry Birds instead of surfing the net?  That’s probably a lot more likely.

And besides, you can’t just kill the net.  Right?

Gadgetell – Computers

Retailers will heavily discount HP TouchPad August 20

Since HP is not going to be creating webOS devices anymore, the HP TouchPad is the first and last tablet the company will release. HP also hasn’t decided what it’s going to do with webOS, so nobody is all that optimistic about its future. One thing is for sure, retailers are not going to want the TouchPad crowding its show floor and warehouse space. Massive discounts are happening right now.

MocoNews reports that Best Buy employees in Emeryville, CA were informed of further TouchPad price cuts on top of the $ 100 discount HP recently made permanent.  This report goes hand in hand with previous claims that Best Buy wanted HP to take back the thousands of TouchPads it could not sell.

That report is accurate because the Canadian Best Buy website has priced the 16GB TouchPad at $ 99.99. The 32GB version is only $ 150.

Best Buy won’t be the only retailer discounting the TouchPad. PreCentral reports the TouchPad will be getting discounts of around $ 300 from a lot of stores starting August 20.

Via [MocoNews] Read [PreCentral]

Gadgetell – Computers