HP Discover: Sneak look at HP's TouchPad

Touchscreen responsiveness is slower than the iPad's and the apps took some time to load

HP gave Computing a sneak preview of its new tablet device, the TouchPad, at its HP Discover event in Las Vegas.

The device runs on HP's Web OS mobile operating system and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon CPU.

"The TouchPad has been specifically built for enterprises," CEO Leo Apotheker told delegates at the conference, and there seems to be evidence of that.

Judging by the apps showcased at the event, HP's developer community is dedicated to building apps for business.

One such app, the HP App Catalog, enables users to create forms and store them in the cloud, meaning users who might include restaurant inspectors or marketeers can easily collect and store data and access it later from a different device or PC.

In addition, the device's battery life is intended to last for a "full business day" and users can transfer data via Bluetooth from the TouchPad to their Palm smartphone, which also runs on HP Web OS.

There is currently no interoperability for devices running on other operating systems.

The device does have its share of consumer functions though. An HP spokesperson told Computing: "We wanted it to be fit for businesses and the security integrated into it and the functionality reflects that.

"But at the same time, business users want to be able to use consumer services on their devices too, so we have incorporated Facebook and Twitter integration, for example."

We found the TouchPad's touchscreen less responsive than that of Apple's iPad, and apps took some time to load.

The device does not have a home screen either, unlike many devices on the market currently, as HP believes that users do not need one.

The device is app-focused, so instead it has a search function allowing users to find the app they're looking for, rather than having to trawl through a plethora of apps displayed on the home screen.

Despite it already being June, HP reiterated its pledge for global roll out of the device in the first half of 2011. No pricing details were announced.