HP Topaz may ship as soon as March

Supplier insiders claimed Tuesday night that HP would ship its first webOS tablets in March. The Palm team reportedly finished designing its tablets in 2010 but won't have its contractor, Inventec, ship until March. Digitimes' contacts said the delay gave HP and Palm time to test the software and coordinate the launch.

The tip didn't give out which of the two known tablets, the Opal and Topaz, would arrive first. Opal in the most recent leak was only slated to go on sale in September, far too late for a March shipping window, and would suggest that Topaz was arriving first. HP recently teased that the most recent rumors didn't have the full details and may have a webOS tablet almost ready to launch by its February 9 special event.

Both tablets are known to be similar on the surface with front cameras, high-powered speakers and a "buttonless" front that relies on webOS' signature bezel gestures for certain parts of the interface. The Topaz will be a nine-inch model where the Opal will sit at seven inches and focus on e-readers.

By Electronista Staff