Months after the HP TouchPad debuted and stole the hearts of webOS lovers everywhere, HP has finally come forward with the tablet's availability details. The company this morning announced that the WiFi- only TouchPad will launch on July 1st and will be priced at $499.99 for the 16GB model and $599.99 for the 32GB version, with pre-orders kicking off on June 19th. The TouchPad will be available from a number of U.S. retailers, including Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Sam’s Club, OfficeMax, Amazon.com, and several others, as well as direct from HP itself. HP also revealed that a version of the TouchPad with AT&T connectivity will be coming later this summer.

So there you have it. We're just over three weeks away from the HP TouchPad making its entrance into the tablet market, which is exciting not only because we really want to get our hands on the slate, but also because it's great to see some more fresh webOS hardware arriving on store shelves. Now we just have to hope that the Pre 3 won't be far behind. So, who's considering picking up a TouchPad?

HP Announces HP TouchPad Availability for United States, Europe and Canada

Wi-Fi version of first HP webOS tablet also coming to Asia Pacific later this year

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the Wi-Fi version of HP TouchPad will be available in the United States on July 1.

“What makes HP TouchPad a compelling alternative to competing products is webOS”
HP’s first webOS tablet will be available in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany a few days later and in Canada in mid-July, with availability scheduled to follow later this year in Italy and Spain, as well as in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore.

HP TouchPad will be available from U.S. retailers, commercial resellers and direct from HP with the option of either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage(1) for $499.99 and $599.99, respectively.(2) Preorders in North America and Europe will begin June 19.

“What makes HP TouchPad a compelling alternative to competing products is webOS,” said Jon Rubinstein, senior vice president and general manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HP. “The platform’s unmatched features and flexibility will continue to differentiate HP products from the rest of the market for both personal and professional use. This is only the beginning of what HP’s scale can do with webOS.”

With webOS, HP TouchPad users have a next-level multitasking experience, access to the web, premium audio playback with stereo speakers and Beats Audio™ technology, the ability to find information on the device or in the cloud using the Just Type feature, integrated access to their information with HP Synergy, and HP’s exclusive Touch to Share capability for sharing web addresses between HP TouchPad and compatible webOS phones.(3)

Optional accessories for HP TouchPad include the HP Touchstone Charging Dock, the HP TouchPad Wireless Keyboard and the HP TouchPad Case (sold separately).

HP also announced it will be partnering with AT&T to introduce a connected version of HP TouchPad later this summer. More information will be available closer to availability.

U.S. retailers and commercial resellers for HP TouchPad will include Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, Sam’s Club, OfficeMax, Amazon.com, Fry’s, Microcenter, other leading local and regional retailers, and HP’s online stores. Specific pricing and availability for HP TouchPad in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom will be announced regionally. Details for Australia, Hong Kong, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore and Spain will be announced at a later date.

More information about HP TouchPad, including product features and specs, is available at www.hpwebos.com/us/products/pads/touchpad.