HP to produce more TouchPad and Android 2.3 Port

Following the success of the HP TouchPad at 99 USD, Hewlett Packard will make a final production run for the TouchPad Tablet. HP announced the new production in “The Next Bench Blog” in a post entitled “More TouchPads on the Way” on the 30th of August 2011:

Despite announcing an end to manufacturing webOS hardware, we have decided to produce one last run of TouchPads to meet unfulfilled demand. We don’t know exactly when these units will be available or how many we’ll get, and we can’t promise we’ll have enough for everyone. We do know that it will be at least a few weeks before you can purchase.

I can only imagine they are planning a new production run to get rid of components inventory as if it is sold for 99 USD, and the real cost is 318 USD they would make a large loss.

Android 2.3 for HP TouchPad

HP TouchPad tablet will still be shipped with WebOS 3.0, but CyanogenMod is working on an Android 2.3 port for the device.

This is still a work in progress. You can see Android 2.3.5 boot (CyanoGenMod 7 – CM7) on HP Touchpad in the video below, but a the time (end of August), many features did not work yet including the touchscreen.

However, do not expect a workable version fast as the CyanogenMod puts it:

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR ETAS. For the uninitiated, this is the #1 rule for Cyanogenmod. It will certainly be a long while before our goals become reality. Our goals incidentally are not connected with any bounty– we are motivated to do it right, not do it fast.

At the time, they did not have enough tablets to keep the whole team busy:

For the moment though, we need about 4 tablets, as we have talented and experienced developers who cannot contribute effectively due to a lack of hardware. If you have an extra touchpad and are willing to help the cause, please let us know in the comments below.

CyanogenMod team might also be able to claim the HP TouchPad to Android Port bounty of up to 2300 USD. The final bounty will depend on the features implemented and the number of sponsors.

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