It's been quite a while since we've heard any information about Palm's entry into the tablet market, except that it might be launching in March, but that drought has come to an end today.  There's not a lot of new info to go on, but a "trusted source" has told Engadget that Palm's tablet is currently codenamed "Topaz" and has exactly zero physical buttons on its face.  As for a release date, the Topaz is expected out in the first half of 2011.  The tipster also leaked a keyboard that is said to be an accessory for the tablet.  As you can see in the screenshot above, the 'board features a slim, minimal design and webOS-specific keys, along with a Windows key, which suggests that HP may end up selling it as a regular ol' keyboard, too.  Finally, Palm is rumored to be prepping a new low-end handset that's described as a keyboard-less Pre.  The handset is sporting the codename "Castle" and could be appearing on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T.

While there certainly isn't a ton of new information about Palm's tablet in today's leak, I'm glad to see it in the news again.  I just hope that Palm can get the Topaz out earlier in 2011 rather than later.  Motorola's Stingray tablet and Honeycomb could be arriving as early as February, the PlayBook looks like it's going to land in March, and we'll probably see a new iPad in April.  If Palm waits too long to get their tablet out, they're going to lose a lot of their potential sales to competitors.  I know you want to make sure your product is perfect, Palm, but you've got to strike while the iron's hot!

Via Engadget