HP Confirms it will Take on iPad

Hewlett-Packard will ship a tablet-style computer based on the company's WebOS operating system in the first part of next year. The computer maker also plans to release a tablet that runs Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system, according to a company executive.

"You'll see us with a Microsoft product in the near future, and a WebOS-based product in early 2011, said Todd Bradley, the head of HP's Personal Systems Group, in a conference call Thursday in which HP disclosed fiscal third quarter earnings.

HP acquired WebOS through its $1.2 billion acquisition of mobile device manufacturer Palm earlier this year.

I'm looking forward to seeing the WebOS tablet, I still have doubts whether there will be a Windows 7 tablet.

HP is hoping to replicate Apple's success with the iPad in the nascent market for devices that bridge the gap between PCs and smartphones. Apple sold more than three million iPads in the first 80 days the product was on the market. Dell also recently entered the arena with the debut of the Google Android-based Streak.