WebOS Goes Tablet-- but is it Enough?

HP introduces its strategy for WebOS-- optimising the OS for tablets, just alongside the revealing of its TouchPad tablet.

HP TouchpadThe TouchPad (to be available in summer 2011) carries a 9.7" touchscreen and a Snapdragon dual-core CPU. It also features connectivity with other WebOS devices, such as the Veer and Pre3.

The new WebOS framework (called Enyo), is also sounding interesting. Relying on web-based technologies, HP says it allows for new WebOS apps to automatically stretch between different screen resolutions without any issues.

New WebOS apps can also run in a PC browser-- without an emulator or OS install.

Also showing at Mobile World Congress is a new version of HP's App Catalog-- also tablet friendly, with a magazine-style interface and streamlined payment options.

HP's vision for its WebOS ecosystem does sound impressive on paper, even if noone's got their hands on the actual TouchPad tablet yet (outside of HP itself). But will it be enough to rival Android 3.0 and RIM's Playbook? WebOS does appear to offer a fluid user experience for customers, alongside real-time cloud syncing across devices, but a lot remains unknown. Meanwhile, the Touchpad's specifications impress, but only just.

Ultimately it an increasingly saturated tablet market-- with Google, RIM, and now HP all wanting a slice of Apple's pie (and who knows what Apple will have up its iSleeve?), the tablet war will be fought over more than simply hardware specs.

Go HP TouchPad