At the HP Americas Partner Conference in Las Vegas, Channel Chief Stephen DiFranco today demonstrated the forthcoming HP TouchPad to TalkinCloud. DiFranco says the HP TouchPad, which runs WebOS, will present a key opportunity for VARs and cloud integrators that focus on vertical markets such as health care. He also said the TouchPad tablet will unlock mobile virtualization and authentication opportunities for partners. Take a look.
DiFranco briefly demonstrated the HP TouchPad in a TalkinCloud FastChat Video (left). He did not mention pricing or availability for the TouchPad. However ArsTechnica is reporting:
A product release schedule leaked this week by a major US retailer, however, indicates that pricing will range from $499-599, with different tiers based on storage capacity. A $499 price point at launch will help make the Touchpad more competitive in a marketplace where Apple’s comparably-priced iPad 2 is soaking up sales.
The product launch sheet, which was obtained and published by the PreCentral blog, shows that the 10-inch Touchpad will have a June launch. This is consistent with HP’s previous statements that the Touchpad was planned for Summer. The launch sheet also indicates that a 7-inch HP tablet with webOS is planned for September, with pricing still to be determined.
HP is gearing up to train distributors and channel partners on the TouchPad and WebOS, according to Mike Parrottino VP of the HP Americas Personal Systems Group (PSG). Throughout mid-2011 HP will offer potential TouchPad partners web-based training while also launching a TouchPad road show that includes a partner education track, Parrottino said.
Meanwhile, HP CEO Leo Apotheker is expected to discuss HP’s cloud and WebOS strategies later today at the HP Americas Partner Conference. The event, which kicked off today, focuses heavily on recurring revenue opportunities — both cloud and managed services. In start contrast, the 2010 event focused mainly on helping partners to sell more servers, PCs, mobile devices and printers.
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