$99 HP Touchpad Sale: Batch Due Soon, Customers Receive Tablet Loaded With Android OS

By CP News Briefs, Sunday, October 16, 2011

As rumors swirl that HP are just weeks away from releasing up to 200,000 more Touchpad units, a number of customers have said they have received delivery of the tablet loaded with an Android OS rather than HP’s own WebOS.

HP has indeed confirmed that the rumors are true, and have commenced an investigation unto how the Android OS managed to get installed into its Touchpads.

Phil Robb, director of HP's open-source program office wrote in an email to developers: “We presently believe that some person or persons unknown may have facilitated the delivery of these Android-based units strictly against the policy and authorization of HP.”

Over recent months other rumors have told how third-party developers have been attempting to port Android OS onto the HP Touchpad. Reports have indicated that those efforts were successful at porting the Android 2.3, Gingerbread onto the tablet.

The Androids shipped to customers were however sent loaded with the Android 2.2 Froyo.

Just months ago HP announced it would be discontinuing its Touchpad due to appalling sales. The HP tablet was suffering in the face of competition with Apple’s iPad 2.

Following its announcement HP slashed the prices of its lowest end Touchpad down to $99. That sparked a massive rush by customers for the tablet and within days they were completely sold out at all stores offering the top discounted price.

In his email, Robb asked for developers’ assistance in tracking down the origin of the Android ported TouchPads.

HP has confirmed that Robb’s email is authentic, but has not commented on any other aspect of the issue.