Remaining $99 HP TouchPads Only Available to Developers?
HP's popular defunct TouchPad tablet is returning but only for developers with a coupon for the tablet.
Hewlett Packard is selling the TouchPad to developers with the coupon for the 32Gb TouchPad. In the site, HP thanked developers for their interest in the TouchPad but announced that they have more coupon requests than they have devices.
"If you have already submitted a request for a coupon, we are currently processing requests. Remember, coupons issued are only good through November 27, 2011, and while supplies last," HP said on its site listing the offer.
Consumers who still want to get an HP TouchPad will still be able to purchase one from Best Buy and Wal-Mart but only if they buy the bundled offer with a laptop worth $149.99 for the 32Gb version of the TouchPad. Best Buy requires the buyer to get a qualifying PC which includes Compaq models, desktop computers and all-in-ones. Wal-Mart's offer is stricter, with the consumer only choosing from eleven HP laptop's to qualify for the TouchPad. However, Wal-Mart does offer online orders for the TouchPad bundle so consumers can get the tablet without going to a Wal-Mart store to buy the laptop and TouchPad bundle.
HP had decided in late August to discontinue making the TouchPad and other devices that run on HP's webOS software. HP then slashed the price of its TouchPad tablets to $99 that started a buying frenzy with budget conscious consumers. The company has since then said that it was standing by its PC unit.
Meanwhile the fate of HP's webOS still remained undecided as a Reuters report revealed that the company was evaluating the potential sale of the software platform. According to inside sources, HP is considering selling the webOS for hundreds of millions of dollars but will be considerably less than the $1.2 billion the company paid Palm Inc. for the operating system in 2010. Sources also said that HP was consulting the Bank of America Merril Lynch about the possible sale.