HP's 9.7-inch TouchPad: webOS 3.0 tablet with 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon, coming this summer

There she is, the HP TouchPad. It's the webOS slate we've been yearning for ever since probing (then) Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein on our first-ever Engadget Show, but sadly, it looks as if HP has yanked any and all Palm labeling from the final product. Introduced today in San Francisco as part of a newfangled webOS triumvirate, the TouchPad (previously known by Topaz) is shaped almost exactly like the iPad. It tips the scales at 1.6 pounds and measures 13.7mm thick, which is somewhat of a downer for those already put off by the heft found in Apple's slate. As we'd heard last month, HP's shipping this one with its own Beats audio engine, Touch-to-Share (a feature that lets users easily transfer a website, document, song, text or call from the phone to the tablet -- or vice versa -- simply by tapping the two devices together) and a huge reliance on the cloud. Also of note, Jon just mentioned that this is only the "first in the webOS TouchPad family," hinting that the Opal may be just around the bend.


Other specifications include webOS 3.0, "true multitasking," Touch-to-share, instant-on productivity, a 9.7-inch display (1024 x 768 screen resolution), a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon CPU (!), inbuilt gyroscope, accelerometer, compass and 16GB / 32GB of internal storage space. There's also a front-facing 1.3 megapixel webcam, support for video calling, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, A-GPS (3G model only), "twice the memory of a Pre 2" and a set of stereo speakers. Rubenstein claims that this here tablet is "screaming fast," and the software UI we're seeing looks downright luscious. There's a new paneled email application a Growl-like pop-up notification system, support for Skype calling, compatibility with Amazon's Kindle e-book store, plenty of cal / email integration courtesy of HP Synergy, a slick virtual keyboard, VPN support, wireless printing as well as Google Docs, QuickOffice, Dropbox and Box.net compatibility. One of the killer features that can't be found on a competing tablet right now is this one's ability to talk to the Pre 3 -- so long as there's a Touchstone involved, one can have their Pre 3 and TouchPad communicate, even piping over notifications and texts from the phone onto the slate. It's a brilliant idea, and we're obviously amped to see just how well it's implemented.

Over on the accessories front, there's a case / stand (which includes a handy flip-out kickstand for desk use), a wireless keyboard (yeah, this one!) and a new Touchstone dock that enables all of the wireless communication magic between webOS devices. If you're curious about specific models, the first out of the gate will be a WiFi only version, with 3G and 4G variants to follow suit in due time. As for the all-important pricing and availability? "Coming this summer," with pricing to be determined "at a later date." Bah, humbug!

17 Weird Cell Phones

There are many weird things in the world but you wouldn’t have thought that cell phones are one of those things. We made a list of some pretty unusual mobile phones that will surprise you. Their shape in unorthodox and it is not for anyone’s taste. But the big question is whether you’ll be brave enough to be different and to pay for one of these crazy –looking phones. Check them out.

And coming from the future…

Isn’t this one of the ugliest phones you have ever seen?

You can shoot and talk to your friends at the same time. Isn’t it convenient?

This phone is kind of cool but you wouldn’t assume that it is in fact a phone.

Now this is one nature-friendly phone.

It was high-time someone invented transformer phones.

Is this a phone or a puzzle? Usually you play game on your phone not with it.

A phone and a TV, what more could a man ask for?

This is one strange-looking phone. Maybe the design went wrong?

This is a weird but functional way to have both your phone and cigarettes at hand.

This phone looks classy but unusual? Would you consider buying it?

Three in one, cool ha?

This phone looks more like a phone for children.

This shoe phone is for ladies.

Sliding phone has a completely new meaning now.

These two phones look like they are from the 19th century.

This kitty phone looks futuristic.

CompuLab Introduces Smallest, Most Energy Efficient Palm Size PC

 A new palm sized, AMD version PC3 has been introduced by Compulab. It’s processor can be supported by up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. It measures just 16 x 15 x 2.5 cm. It is equipped with 2 x USB 3.0 ports and 6 x USB 2.0 ports. Its Prices start from just $328.

The Cloud Buildings — Seoul

Seoul, South Korea’s ‘The Cloud’ buildings are immediately offensive — The buildings are called ‘The Cloud’ and they are being built in Soul, South Korea by Netherlands-based architectural firm MVRDV. The two 850+ foot towers are connected in the middle by an explosive looking “cloud”. 07 more images after the break...

 In response to the obvious and immediate backlash due to its uncanny resemblance of the worst terrorist attack ever, that killed thousands of innocent people, MVRDV has released an apology on their site for anyone they may have offended and says that “the design inspiration of The Cloud is visualized in the first image on our website, a cloud covering the centre of the Skyscraper.” The disturbing buildings are scheduled                      to be completed by 2015.

The Old Combs Pix

 Selection of the ridges of the early 20th century. Previously recorded small inconspicuous hair pins and bobby pins, combs and served a decorative function. This is some kind of elf stuff, not because they wear now. 

14 more combs after the break...

The most beautiful pictures of fall