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Hewlett-Packard could have a Windows 7-powered tablet PC in its production pipeline.The description accompanying the image suggests device will have an 8.9-inch screen, two cameras for still images and Web conferencing, Windows 7 Premium, and a pen for writing or drawing. It also comes with headphones and many more things……

Hewlett Packard (HP) is denying that it definitively abandoned plans to launch a Windows 7 slate. 

The company, which recently acquired Palm for $1.2 billion, insisted it was still “gauging” the market “promise” of a Windows 7 tablet computer.”In reference to a Windows 7-based slate, we are in customer evaluations now and will make a determination soon on the next step,” HP spokeswoman Marlene Somsak told AFP.

Unsurprisingly, it seems as if Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may have spoken a little too soon when he claimed that nearly two dozen hardware makers – including HP, Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Samsung, Toshiba, and Sony – had eagerly lined up to manufacture Windows-based tablets.

Whether or not the HP Slate 500 sees the light of day, the description suggests that HP is envisioning it as a media-consumption device: “No matter where you are or what kind of fun you’re in the mood for, the HP Slate 500 is all you need. Exclusive HP software gives you access to photos, videos and everything on the Internet with just a touch.”

HP is also reportedly seeking to trademark the name PalmPad, possibly for a tablet PC running its newly acquired PalmWebOS. Even following HP’s $1.2 billion acquisition of Palm, however, rumors continued to circulate that the manufacturer was considering tablet PCs running Windows 7 and possibly Google Android—although a July 15 report by All Things D, quoting unnamed sources “in position to know,” suggested the Android effort was on hold.

The idea of Windows 7 running on an HP tablet seemed a likelier proposition—an HP vice president even reportedly confirmed plans to do so—though concrete information on that project’s state has been decidedly scarce.

Before the Palm acquisition, HP’s plans for a Windows 7-powered tablet seemed practically set in stone. In an April 5 posting on HP’s Voodoo Blog, Phil McKinney, vice president and CTO for the company’s Personal Systems Group, touted a Slate that he said would provide “the ideal mobile experience.” In addition to Windows 7, that version of the device included Web conferencing, thanks to a pair of integrated cameras, and slots for SD cards and USB devices.

Before that, Steve Ballmer offered a first glimpse of the HP slate during his keynote presentation at CES, where he suggested its capabilities would include e-reading, Web surfing, and playing movies and other multimedia.

“This year one of the most important things that we will do in the smart device category is really push forward with Windows 7-based slates and Windows 7 phones,” the Balmy Ballmer proclaimed recently.It should be noted that HP views Palm’s webOS as a platform which will allow the company to expand its product line to include smartphones as well as tablet computers.

Resources :tgdaily.com,eweek.com