WebOS 3.0 beta 1 leaks, shows desktop-like power [video]
updated 02:30 pm EDT, Wed April 13, 2011
HP webOS 3 beta 1 leaks out in full
A prominent leak Tuesday (video below) of webOS 3.0 beta 1 has shown virtually every detail of what should show on the HP TouchPad. The emulator shows elements like the Launcher and Just Type mostly expanding to fill out the new space, but other elements are clearly much more advanced over webOS on a phone. PreCentral in spotting the details saw a browser and music player that were more like those on a desktop, and Maps has received a complete overhaul by switching to Bing and significantly improving the interface versus the old Google Maps app.
Virtually every app uses multiple panes, and both photos and videos have consolidated into a single more advanced app. QuickOffice is installed even in the emulator and is offering some basic functionality. Exhibition apps, which will start up whenever a webOS 3.0 device is on a Touchstone dock, were also shown in rudimentary form with a clock app.
Notifications have their own special treatment and appear as a pop-over with special controls for music and possibly other apps.
WebOS 3.0 should go public when the TouchPad ships around June. It's not known if the developer kit will be made public before the tablet is ready.
