When HP bought Palm last year, it wasn't entirely clear what HP were going to do with the struggling smartphone builder. HP's own performance in the smartphone market had been pretty lacklustre over the years, so it did seem that perhaps HP were really interested in getting their hands on Palm's webOS operating system.

It didn't take long for the rumours to start circulating that HP was going to put webOS on an iPad-style tablet, and here it is.. the HP TouchPad.

Very similar in outward appearance to the iPad, the HP TouchPad has a similar 9.7" 768 x 1024 pixel display, measures 242 x 190 x 14mm and weighs 740 grams, in a fairly smart but unimaginative case design.

The real differences are underneath - the HP TouchPad sports a powerful 1.2GHz dual-core processor which should outpace Apple's current offering. We say current because the next couple of months will probably see the next generation iPad 2 which should raise Apple's game a little. The TouchPad comes in a 3G and non-3G version, the 3G version also has GPS so presumably it can be used as a massive SatNav. There's also a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera for video calls, 16GB or 32GB of internal flash memory and a huge 6300 mAh battery.

But the crucial problem for HP is this - if you're going to produce a device that looks very much like an Apple iPad, but isn't an Apple iPad, then what is your unique selling proposition exactly? Ease of use? The iPad is very difficult to beat, and how many consumers will get the chance to do a side-by-side comparison? Compatibility? Well, webOS phones are hardly common and there are nowhere near the number of applications that are available for Apple's offering. Brand? HP is hardly a sexy brand, they make printers don't they? Price? Perhaps, but we really don't think that the TouchPad will be cheap.

To be fair, HP have the same problems marketing their ex-Palm smartphones as they are likely to have with this tablet. The Palm Pre was a good product that just failed to click with consumers, and HP will need to do better.. especially with the upcoming crop of Android 3.0 tablets such as the Motorola XOOM.

HP say that the TouchPad should be available in the summer, but exact details of launch dates and pricing are not known at present.

HTC EVO 3D

We first saw a CDMA version of the HTC EVO 3D back in March, bound for the US Sprint network. HTC had obviously put a lot of work into their first 3D device, so it seemed to be quite likely that a European device would be available soon.. and indeed it is, the HTC EVO 3D will be available across much of Europe from July onwards.

HTC EVO 3D Europe

We first saw a CDMA version of the HTC EVO 3D back in March, bound for the US Sprint network. HTC had obviously put a lot of work into their first 3D device, so it seemed to be quite likely that a European device would be available soon.. and indeed it is, the HTC EVO 3D will be available across much of Europe from July onwards.

HTC EVO 3D at a glance
Available:	July 2011
Network:	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 + UMTS 900 /2100
Data:	GPRS + EDGE + UTMS (3G) + HSPA + WiFi
Screen:	4.3" 540 x 960 pixels
Camera:	5 megapixels (main, 2D) 2 megapixels (main, 3D) 1.3 megapixels (front)
Size:	Medium-large tablet smartphone 126 x 65 x 12mm / 170 grams
Bluetooth:	Yes
Memory card:	MicroSD
Infra-red:	No
Polyphonic:	Yes
Java:	Optional
GPS:	Yes
OS:	Android 2.3
Battery life:	7.5 hours talk / 14 days standby

This is a big device, weighing 170 grams and measuring 126 x 52 x 12mm. Inside is a very large 1730 mAh battery that gives over 7 hours talktime and 17 days standby time on 3G.

Unlike the original EVO 3D, this is a GSM / HSPA smartphone suitable for European networks. The HTC EVO 3D has quad-band GSM and supports UMTS 900 / 2100, plus 802.11 b, g and n WiFi. Bluetooth 3.0 and USB connectivity is supported, and the EVO 3D also comes with GPS and DLNA support.

The EVO 3D will easily be one of the most powerful Android handsets you can buy when it hits the market from next month. HTC didn't give any guidance on price, but we would expect the HTC EVO 3D to retail for somewhere in the region of €700 at launch.