HP has announced its first smartphone devices since discontinuing the Palm webOS range in 2011.
One has a 6-inch screen - the HP Slate6 VoiceTab - and there’s also a HP Slate7 VoiceTab with a 7-inch screen. Both run Android 4.2 on a quad-core processor, are equipped with stereo loudspeakers and have a 5 megapixel camera on the back plus a 2 megapixel camera on the front. They’re 3G capable with a dual-SIM option and, unlike many similarly-sized tablets, are capable of voice calls. Full specifications haven't been confirmed.
Ron Coughlin, senior vice president of HP’s Consumer Personal Systems Group, said “Consumers are looking to consolidate their phones and tablets, which is propelling the voice tablet market. This is an exciting new category that represents a meaningful growth opportunity for HP. Our HP Slate VoiceTab provides consumers with a high-quality product at a great value.”
The two HP ‘phablet’ devices are expected to be available in India next month.
[HP blog]