HP’s Pre 3 hits the FCC, runs webOS 2.3, coming to AT&T
We haven’t heard much from HP Palm lately, but don’t forget that the company has two phones, the Veer and Pre 3, along with the TouchPad tablet, in the pipeline. Today, it appears that the Pre 3 is a bit closer to launching. A device from HP Palm called the HSTNH-F30CN won FCC approval today. The device’s label location pics appear to be too large to be the Veer (which has also already arrived on the FCC) and too small to be the TouchPad, leading us to conclude that this is the Pre 3.
According to test reports, the Pre 3 won approval for its dual-band wireless-N WiFi capabilities. Interestingly, no mention is made of the phone’s cellular or Bluetooth capabilities, although we’d expect to see those soon. Test reports also mention support for GSM 850 and 1900 bands, as well as WCDMA bands II and V. These frequencies correspond to AT&T’s network in the US, confirming speculation that the Pre 3 will be launched by AT&T.
The Pre 3’s SW Version is listed as WebOS 2.3 – a previously unannounced version of the OS – as you can see below. The current version of webOS is 2.2, with webOS 3.0 designed for HP’s TouchPad tablet.
Also interesting to note is that nearly all mention of Palm is gone from HP’s FCC documents. The former Pre manufacturer is only briefly mentioned as the “Palm GBU”. The Pre 3 has also received an updated to HP’s HSTXX model numbering scheme that the company uses for its laptops. Not surprising, but just another sign that HP is well on its way to gradually phasing out Palm branding.
HP and Palm united in FCC filing as EU version of Veer wins approval
The North American version of HP’s Veer hit the FCC a couple of weeks ago, winning approval for GSM/WCDMA 850 and 1900 bands. But more interestingly, the FCC filings for the Veer were filed on behalf of Palm, not HP. Normally, we wouldn’t be surprised to see an acquired brand stick around for awhile, but HP’s announcement of the Veer, Pre 3 and TouchPad was pretty much void of any Palm branding, giving us the impression that the Palm brand would soon disappear.
Today, what appears to be an EU version of the Veer hit the FCC, and this time the branding of the phone is listed as “HP and Palm.” But don’t get too used to seeing the “Palm” name mentioned – the device’s label refers to the device simply as the “HP Veer.”
HP’s webOS 3.0 TouchPad tablet to launch in April
We’re intrigued by HP’s webOS 3.0-powered TouchPad, and according to DigiTimes we’ll be able to get our hands on one in just a couple of months. The site reported today that HP’s upstream component partners expect the device to go on sale in April, with delivery to retailers to start by the end of March.
With the Motorola XOOM set to launch on February 24th, and a rumored update to the iPad expected to be coming soon, the TouchPad will have no shortage of competition. HP has yet to announce pricing for the TouchPad, and if priced attractively the device may be able to attract buyers unwilling to pay $800 for a XOOM.
Source: DigiTimes
The HP Palm Veer wins FCC approval, coming to AT&T
HP Palm unveiled its new lineup of webOS phones and tablets on Tuesday, and today the company’s Pre3 Veer made its way through the FCC with the model number P160UNA. The device won approval for GSM bands 850 and 1900, as well as WCDMA bands II and V, which suggest the device will be making its way to AT&T. FCC filings made no mention of HSPA+, a feature promised for the Veer, but this approval may be coming later.
FCC filings don’t reveal much about the device, aside from the label pic, above. Actually, it was a bit difficult to tell if the P160UNA is the Pre3 or Veer, but since both the P160UNA and Pre3 support 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, while the Veer is left with just 802.11 b/g, we’re pretty confident that this is the Pre3. Update: A closer look at FCC reports shows that the earphone jack on the P160UNA is magnetic, below. We know that the Veer requires a magnetic connector to attach headphones, so this confirms that the P160UNA is in fact the Veer, not the Pre3 as we originally reported.
We don’t have any word on pricing or availability at this point, and HP Palm has only provided a vague “Summer” timeframe for the device. Today’s FCC filing indicates that the device is near a launch, but the lack of HSPA+ data in the filing may mean HP Palm has a bit more work to do.
Palm Pre 2 to hit Verizon on February 17th, will feature 1GHz TI OMAP processor, 16GB storage
HP/Palm will be holding a press conference on February 9th in which the company is expected to unveil a new tablet and perhaps a new version of the Pre. Today, an anonymous tipster provided Engadget with the screen shot above that appears to confirm a new version of the Pre called the Pre 2. According to the screen shot, which is reportedly from a third party Verizon retailer, the device will launch in “all channels” on February 17th – less than two weeks away.
The Pre is in dire need of a refresh, and according to the specs listed in the screen shot above the device will get a 1GHz TI processor, 16GB of internal memory, 512MB of RAM, 5MP camera with flash and 3G hotspot capabilities. While respectable, those specs certainly are not groundbreaking – hopefully we get a better idea of HP’s plans for the Pre during the company’s conference on February 9th.
Source: Engadget
HP/Palm’s Topaz tablet to feature dual core Snapdragon processor, 9.7” IPS screen, CDMA/EVDO support
We’re still a couple of weeks away from HP/Palm’s tablet unveiling event, but today Pre Central got their hands on an internal HP document that gives us some idea of what we may see with the Topaz tablet. Note, these documents are from last year, so they are likely not final and it wouldn’t be surprising if the actual specs of the Topaz vary from what’s listed above.
According to the document, the Topaz will rock a dual core 1.2GHz Qualcomm MSM8660 SnapDragon processor. Interestingly, the MSM8660 supports CDMA 2000 and EVDO networks, suggesting that the Topaz may make an appearance on Verizon or Sprint. The MSM8660 also supports 1080p encoding/decoding, OpenGL ES 2.0, and 24 bit WXGA 1280 x 800 displays.
RAM on the Topaz will total 512MB – disappointing considering that many phones, let alone tablets, are bumping RAM up to 1GB. Storage on the device will range from 16 to 64GB, in line with the storage offered by the iPad.
The Topaz’s multi-touch screen will measure 9.7”, and offer a 1024 x 768 resolution with IPS. The device itself will weigh 1.5 pounds and measure 0.54” thick. Other features include a 1.3MP camera, dual band 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth. and of course Palm’s webOS operating system. The Topaz’s battery is expected to last over 8 hours, not bad for a dual core processor.
Still no word on pricing or a release date, but we should learn more at HP/Palm’s webOS event on February 9th.
