HP Patents Tablet Name

CNET reports that HP has been granted a Patent for the name 'PalmPad' early last week by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The move suggests that HP is developing a tablet device.

While HP hasn't released specific details on the PalmPad, the patent application confirms that the device encompasses 'computers, computer hardware, computer software, computer peripherals, portable computers, handheld and mobile computers, PDAs, electronic notepads, and mobile digital electronic devices.'

Earlier this year, HP halted development of the Windows 7 Slate (pictured above), and subsequently cancelled development of a planned Android-based tablet.

Read the whole article here.

HP in iGIZMO

A colourful video advertisement for HP's TouchSmart computer features on page 18 of the online tech magazine iGIZMO.

The copy reads: 'Feel the power of entertainment/Enjoy finger-tapping touchscreen computing in the home with the HP TouchSmart/Connect to your PC like never before with the HP TouchSmart, a sleek all-in-one touchscreen computer that opens up the world of entertainment to your fingertips. Get to the point with applications and widgets built to take advantage of your index finger. Flick, pinch and slide your way around on the multi-touch screen and enjoy games, browsing, photos, or sit back and enjoy movies in high-definition anywhere in the home.'

The ad also allows for an interactive 360 degree view of the TouchSmart.

Click here to view the ad.

HP partner with Sex and the City 2

HP have partnered with the Sex and the City 2 movie in a bid to target a young, female, fashion-conscious website. The campaign messaging is brand focused and uses awareness media vehicles including a large outdoor site in London's trendy Shoreditch, peak TV, a homepage takeover on vogue.co.uk and colour national press insertions.

This is not the first time HP have tried to engage with this demographic. Last year we saw multiple campaigns pushing their range of laptops designed by the fashion designer Vivienne Tam.

HP place Vivienne Tam netbook in latest Black Eyed Peas video

If you skip to 2mins49secs it features for about 10 seconds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rG2CHvCQY&feature=related

HP to cut 840 manufacturing jobs in Scotland

HP are to cut 843 manufacturing job at its plant in Erskine, near Glasgow. Some local MPs have reacted angrily to the news, suggesting that there could be a possible backlash.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8071596.stm

HP cuts outlook and jobs

PC giant HP are to cut 2% of its workforce after a 17% drop in quarterly profit. In the quarter ending 30th April the company's revenue fell 3%, with a reported 13% drop desktops and  24% in laptops. The company have also introduced a staff pay cut of 5% as a cost-cutting measure.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/19/technology/hp/index.htm?postversion=2009051918

HP believes a shift in research will help it survive the recession

In 2008 HP announced that it would be aligning the work done in its lab with its business goals, a shift which it now believes will allow the company to survive the global recession.

One of the major changes is that the business unit will now help decide which research projects should be funded and which shouldn't.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7943300.stm