HP TouchPad 64GB Could Blow Apple iPad 2 Away: Top 12 Reasons Why (PHOTOS)

Photo: HP | IBTimes

HP TouchPad 64GB will blow Apple iPad 2 away: Top 12 reasons why

HP TouchPad, the first WebOS-based HP tablet that was released on July 1, is set to welcome next month a bigger, more powerful sibling that threatens to blow Apple's iPad away. According to leaked HP product roadmap slides published Monday by Pre Central, HP will release a 'white glossy' 64GB TouchPad model that will sport a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon. The current TouchPad comes in 16/32GB and is powered by a 1.2GHz, dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The 64GB model is expected to have the same 9.7-inch (1024x768 pixel resolution) LED capacitive backlit multi-touch display as the current model. It is not clear whether the new HP TouchPad will sport a better camera. The current TouchPad has a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat but is devoid of a rear-facing camera. The 16GB model retails for $499.99 and the 32GB for $599.99. The 64GB model is expected to retail for either $699.99 or $799.99. The leaked slides also suggest that HP is planning an August release of a 32GB TouchPad with support for AT&T's 4G HSPA+ network. A Pre3 smartphone and "Opal," the codename for a 7-inch version of the TouchPad, is also expected to be unveiled in the third quarter. Pre Central predicts that the 7-inch tablet will be called "TouchPad7." If HP TouchPad's bigger, stronger sibling shows its face to the world next month, it will certainly pose a major threat to Apple iPad's dominance in the tablet market. Currently, Apple's iPad remains the unchallenged king of the tablet jungle, controlling about 90 percent of the tablet market share. In 16 months from the time the iPad debuted, up to 25 million units of iPad have been sold and over 100,000 iPad-specific apps have been developed. In comparison, there are only 300 tablet-optimized apps in Palm's App Catalog and only about 8,000 apps for WebOS, of which about 700 don't work on the TouchPad. Moreover, unlike the iPad, which has a front- and rear-facing camera, the TouchPad only has a front-facing camera for video chat. The TouchPad's battery also lasts only 80 percent of iPad 2's battery. Furthermore, HP TouchPad may experience some glitches. For instance, the email app sometimes may refuse to display the contents of messages. If you want to resolve it, you have to reboot the device. Also, when you rotate the screen, it takes the screen two seconds to match (an eternity for tablet users). Apps can also sometimes take forever to launch. And, let's accept it - the TouchPad does feel like a brick when compared to the svelte, slim and light-weight iPad. However, don't write off HP TouchPad just yet. Here's 12 reasons why:

Photo: HP | IBTimes

1. Innovative operating system: WebOS 3.0

The most important reason being that it features the new WebOS 3.0, which is HP's best bet yet against iOS and Android. WebOS actually makes the TouchPad's UI look and feel pretty cool. Instead of having a row of icons, like in iPad, the TouchPad’s patented WebOS app switcher is formed of clever window ‘cards’. When you press the Home button, all open apps will change to half-size window 'cards'. You can move them around anywhere on the screen with a swipe of your finger or if you've had enough of any app, simply flick it off the top of the screen. WebOS also allows you to integrate all the data from different online accounts together, thanks to Synergy, even as it handles multi-tasking like a pro unlike the iPad, which tries hard but fails at multi-tasking. "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."

Photo: HP | IBTimes

2. Form factor and Hardware:

When it comes to looks, TouchPad bears a strong resemblance to iPad though the former is thicker and heavier than the iPad. Just like the iPad, HP TouchPad has a Home button below the display, volume up/down buttons on the side and it has a similar border around its screen. Unlike iPad 2, which runs on 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor, TouchPad runs on a more powerful dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and both come with 16/32GB storage space. However, Apple is also selling the 64GB version of iPad and very soon we'll see the 64GB TouchPad that will run on dual-core 1.5GHz processor. TouchPad also boasts of 1GB RAM compared to 512MB RAM in iPad 2.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

3. Intelligent onscreen keyboard

All the numbers keys in the TouchPad are just on the top row. You can clearly see them without switching keyboard views. However, iPad doesn’t have this function. This feature might seem insignificant but is quite innovative as no other has thought of this before. Moreover, there are four key heights for you to choose. The keyboard can be made larger or smaller to match the thickness of your finger.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

4. Flash videos:

The TouchPad can play Flash videos on the web, while the iPad can’t.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

5. The Quickoffice application:

You can conveniently view documents saved in Dropbox or Google Doc through this application on the TouchPad.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

6. Exhibition:

If you are not an active app user, don’t worry. TouchPad gives you an alternative. A clock, recent Facebook posts from your friends, your upcoming appointments or your pictures will show up instead of an app on the home screen, thanks to Exhibition function. When you set the TouchPad as a charging dock, you can turn Exhibition on manually.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

7. Wireless charging innovations:

You can charge the TouchPad wirelessly simply by sliding it into its Touchstone charging dock (sold separately) while you have to physically plug the iPad to charge it. Besides, the $80 TouchPad dock can hold TouchPad upright and auto-activates a useful screensaver mode, like photo slide shows. Pretty innovative and fun.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

8. Phone/SMS sync function:

Among the coolest features of HP TouchPad is its phone/SMS sync function. Thanks to the function, when you get a call, it will ring on your TouchPad and your phone at the same time.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

9. Skype calling:

With the TouchPad, you can make video calls using Skype.

Photo: HP

10. Email and IM:

The TouchPad boasts of mail attachment support and integrated IM, SMS, and MMS7.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

11. Notifications:

Unlike iPad's notifications which shout out at you, HP TouchPad's notifications are more well-mannered and discrete. When a notification is delivered, the TouchPad top bar lights up softly if the HP tablet is sleeping. As for iPad, well if it's sleeping, it continues sleeping and you won't even get to know whether you've received any notification unless you wake up the device.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

12. Audio quality:

HP TouchPad's Beats Audio and premium stereo speakers are way better than the iPad's.

Photo: HP | IBTimes

Conclusion:

Will HP TouchPad 64GB model be a threat to iPad? I would say yes, especially if it's priced competitively. Moreover, to make TouchPad successful HP needs to make it more competitive in both hardware and software at the same time. Software and applications are the most important factors that drive what people need or like. Let's not forget - the TouchPad already has a more powerful processor than iPad 2 and with Flash support, it's almost ready to wean away Apple customers. However, the absence of rear-facing camera and lack of WebOS apps and TouchPad-focused apps could also be potential deal-breakers. What do you think? Can HP TouchPad 64GB model beat iPad 2 (64GB)? Leave your comments below.