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Is that a keyboard-less webOS phone? Sure looks like it.

By: , 4/6/2011 9:32 am | 73 comments

Well what do we have here? Looks like the boys over at PreCentral got a nice little present late last night in the form of a photo of what looks to be a keyboard-less webOS device. Is it real? No way to be 100% sure, but it sure looks like a webOS device.

It has that same matte black soft look that the Pre 2 and beyond all have. As for specs, your guess is as good as ours. Here is what I bet is inside that thing.

  • Same processor as the Pre 3 (1.4 Ghz)
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4″ 800 x 480 screen (AMOLED? One can hope)
  • Front and back camera

If my guess is correct, it is basically a Pre 3 with a slightly larger screen that is thinner and lighter. After owning a Samsung Focus for a while, I think I am ok with that, but I am still droolin’ on the Pre 3 myself.

The real question is what carriers are getting what. Will Sprint ignore the Pre 3 and go for this instead? Will Verizon get them all and make everyone else sad? Who knows.

Nice to see some product differentiation though.

Source: PreCentral

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About David Baxter

David is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of webOSroundup. When not toiling away at WOR he is usually with his family, at church, building a website of some kind or another, or playing a video game. @davidbbaxter
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  • Mike D.

    the top right of the screen looks funky, i will remain skeptical at this point but hopeful!

    • Spenser

      No that’s just the reflection of the ceiling you can see the line of it in the screen reflection and it just continues

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Edwin-Mauricio/100000496164725 Edwin Mauricio

    QUE BIEN YA QUIERO TODOS LOS DISPOSITIVOS WEBOS

    • Sal6078

      Lo siento por ti,pero yo creo que la onda es Android

    • Sal6078

      Lo siento por ti,pero yo creo que la onda es Android

    • Sal6078

      Lo siento por ti,pero yo creo que la onda es Android

    • Sal6078

      Lo siento por ti,pero yo creo que la onda es Android

  • Joseph Ziehm

    Design look like an ePad knock off.

  • Marcel

    This better be on Sprint. I am sick of seeing all this Android junk!! YES android is junk. That stupid green robot sucks

    • Joseph

      Well thought out, intelligent argument. Not.

  • Marcel

    This better be on Sprint. I am sick of seeing all this Android junk!! YES android is junk. That stupid green robot sucks

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Gavin-Coles/524862901 Gavin Coles

    If it is true it should keep the Apple iPhone wannabes owners happy, webOS & no keyboard

  • DigitalYout

    Different form factor is a good start. Looks a little blah. Hopefully if this is real, HP improves on its esthetics.

    • Travis Diehl

      Agreed. I’ve always wanted to see what they would create in this form factor, but this thing looks rather generic.

    • http://twitter.com/astraith Allen Straith

      Agreed.

    • http://twitter.com/astraith Allen Straith

      Agreed.

  • Marcel

    I just want a new webOS phone on Sprint. I love my Pixi but it’s time to upgrade. Better listen up Sprint. Drop the Android junk and get some real webOS phones!

    • Crossx3

      No kidding. Even some concrete information would be nice concerning hp and sprint. I’m limping along on this pixi minus, just lost my charging door thingy but get an upgrade in may in may. Some options from hp would be nice the wait may just be too long

    • Crossx3

      No kidding. Even some concrete information would be nice concerning hp and sprint. I’m limping along on this pixi minus, just lost my charging door thingy but get an upgrade in may in may. Some options from hp would be nice the wait may just be too long

    • Crossx3

      No kidding. Even some concrete information would be nice concerning hp and sprint. I’m limping along on this pixi minus, just lost my charging door thingy but get an upgrade in may in may. Some options from hp would be nice the wait may just be too long

    • Crossx3

      No kidding. Even some concrete information would be nice concerning hp and sprint. I’m limping along on this pixi minus, just lost my charging door thingy but get an upgrade in may in may. Some options from hp would be nice the wait may just be too long

  • Sleepwlkr45

    Looks at current evo, considers implication of above device showing up on Sprint before his next device upgrade, reserves window to jump out of….

    • Joseph

      Just jump. There’s no need to reserve a window. We will let you go to the front of the crazy line. Have a nice flight. Chicken or fish, and would you like a beverage?

  • Sleepwlkr45

    Looks at current evo, considers implication of above device showing up on Sprint before his next device upgrade, reserves window to jump out of….

  • http://Bungie.net TheKingOfHalo

    I’ve got a feeling that this is the webOS slab device Sprint has been waiting for. Maybe available by the holidays? Hopefully summer though.

    • John

      Available Summer 2014

    • http://twitter.com/astraith Allen Straith

      If it is the same Specs as Pre 3, it could technically be released this Summer 2011.

    • http://twitter.com/astraith Allen Straith

      If it is the same Specs as Pre 3, it could technically be released this Summer 2011.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Naz

    This is my phone when it come out, slab phone tend to be more solid imo. I like the spec you posted david, i doubt they will put 1gb though, 512mb more like. Amoled would b nice.

  • Shizz

    I no sprint better get somthing. I dont care 2much about the veer

    • Marcel

      As long as webOS is on Sprint I am happy!!! Get rid of that stupid green robot Sprint.

    • Marcel

      As long as webOS is on Sprint I am happy!!! Get rid of that stupid green robot Sprint.

    • Marcel

      As long as webOS is on Sprint I am happy!!! Get rid of that stupid green robot Sprint.

    • Marcel

      As long as webOS is on Sprint I am happy!!! Get rid of that stupid green robot Sprint.

  • PalmOn

    HP/Palm, if the Pre 3 isn’t available on Sprint, you can kiss about 95 percent of your webos user base goodbye.

    • http://weboscenter.com WebOS

      At this point, 95% of webOS user base isn’t really a drop in the bucket.

      • Mark B

        True 95% of WebOS users is small, though the system is quality through and through. The only reason the WebOS community isn’t larger is because production of new phones have been lacking. Seriously, if the choice of WebOS phones was the same as Android based phones, the green guy would be laid in a ditch dead by now.

    • http://www.twitter.com/abalistar Abalistar

      Yeah, to be bluntly honest, I don’t think HP is all that concerned with the current WebOS base. There’s so few that they’re probably looking at the new devices as a blank slate/launch. Hence why they’re not thinking too much about all the people with Pres on Sprint.

      • PalmOn

        Bad move by HP/Palm then, as that would mean they will need to rely on sales people in stores to sell their products once someone walks into the store. Chances are, that they will push what they themselves use and are already familiar with. No amount of advertising can overcome that. But if they have their current user base using the new products, well just the buzz fro that would go a long way.

      • PalmOn

        Bad move by HP/Palm then, as that would mean they will need to rely on sales people in stores to sell their products once someone walks into the store. Chances are, that they will push what they themselves use and are already familiar with. No amount of advertising can overcome that. But if they have their current user base using the new products, well just the buzz fro that would go a long way.

    • http://www.twitter.com/abalistar Abalistar

      Yeah, to be bluntly honest, I don’t think HP is all that concerned with the current WebOS base. There’s so few that they’re probably looking at the new devices as a blank slate/launch. Hence why they’re not thinking too much about all the people with Pres on Sprint.

  • Malette

    Don’t much care for virtual keyboards, but it would be awesome if they put one like this out. It’s good for people to have options. Personally, I too am drooling a bit for the pre3. It’s about time they put out some hardware to match the awesome software. Whatever happens I just hope verizon gets a couple options and the mobile hotspot stays free.

  • Anonymous

    960×640 resolution.
    8 MP camera, HD video recording

  • http://profiles.google.com/anayagamingllc Jason Buffalo

    I think this thing is the real deal, last Week PreCentral had a Article about HP and Future Smartphone since everybody in the forums kinda saying that there is no more “Including Me”, now even on the comment section
    it did not changed the point of view of Developers and users, so in short words i think this picture is from HP,
    Dieter Bohn is Dating lisa Brewster (Adora) and PreCentral is lately HPPalm Press Agency, so i would not be surprised so silence those nay sayers with images like this, even if it’s a prototype it alone shows that HP has
    interest in Designing Smartphones in the Future.

  • jbrandonf

    Too late. I’ve already moved on, hopefully by the time I’m looking for a new phone webOS will have a larger app catalog (with some of the heavy-hitter devs on board).

  • http://www.twitter.com/abalistar Abalistar

    I prefer physical keyboards, but if this thing has a 4 inch screen, I’m willing to do without the physical keyboard. Also, I’m guessing this is what Sprint was waiting for, and since I intend to switch to Sprint in the next year, I’ll probably be hopping along with this.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bcmorales1 Brandon Clay Morales

    I own an Evo and a pre and to be honest there are very few apps on android that are not on webOS, that matter anyway. Android has alot of apps but so many are just crap so by no means have you lost me webOS. I could see this phone comming out on Sprint. But the problem with Sprint now is that they are going to transition to LTE so developing phones for Sprint may become a hassle and they may have to put LTE and WiMax antennas in them.

    • Malette

      There are lots of apps on droids that webOS does not have. The quality is also good. For me though it’s about the software ease of use and abilities which at this point webOS is best imo. Honestly I’d love more apps, but for me right now I have enough. Some I’d like to see is a good slots game, news channel apps including more local stuff, and a remote control for my home electronics. I still use my old Clie for that and other good games. To each his own so you moved on have fun. Don’t like droid apps oh well. At least we can all agree iOS sucks right? Lol, or can we?

      • PalmOn

        Try “fx” a local news app. I just got it (for free) and it seems to work great.

      • PalmOn

        Try “fx” a local news app. I just got it (for free) and it seems to work great.

      • PalmOn

        Try “fx” a local news app. I just got it (for free) and it seems to work great.

      • PalmOn

        Try “fx” a local news app. I just got it (for free) and it seems to work great.

    • Joseph

      Which is what, like difficult…. for a Big Gorrrrilla like HP? Nah, not when other fon manufs can do it. Right, uh, right?

  • Shizz

    I want the pre3 cuz if we wait 4this jawn we will left n the dust again waitin 4them 2release this phone where better off hopeing for the pre3 first n this phone will have 2wait

    • Micah R

      I c wutz u sayin cuz we don’t 2wait 4this jawn. Only joking. In all good time. Hp is smart to attack the slab market head on since it is what the market is now. I am actually more excited for webos to be released to pc and macs to replace outlook and exchange. It’s the way of the future… Way of the future.

  • Dereck N.

    They definitely don’t want this to be released any time soon, because they have hardware on the horizon that needs to sell, sell, sell. If seems to be fashionable though for companies to brag about what they’re doing, but have nothing to show for it. I think up until recently, Apple caused a lot of panic, a lot of heartache for competitors to do things haphazardly. A spark here, a spark there, but never the bonfire you are anticipating. Then when all the sticks are in place, it’s a small campfire and you’re left out in the cold.

    We know there are codenames floating around, and we know that there are future devices that HP has SAID that they are committed to delivering. But they are basically at 0% user base, and they are relying on two phones and one tablet to get them started. Is it too much to ask that they achieve 10% by the end of the year, or is that not even feasible? Will consumers be enticed to buy a mobile phone if the TouchPad proves to be a good companion? Vice versa. A likely solution would be to announcement this in the fall and have it ready for the holiday season, along with a smaller 7″ tablet. The summer will definitely be the time to get on board for webos, that’s the first wave.

    This is really the last, last shot that HP has at securing a portion of the market. Expect the iPhone 5 and a slew of Android copies to once again take away from HP’s winning OS. Expect more Honeycomb copies to arrive and for the iPad to continue selling strong, as it is now.

    Adopt users, build reputation, adopt developers, more users, announce more products, release products. If the rest of 2011 isn’t like clockwork, forget about it!

  • Joseph

    Wow. A photo. Maybe. Of something. Really, dudes, you all DON’T just “get a photo.” This is like a beeshie phone number scribbled in a public toilet. No provenance equals no cred. That’s what this boils down to. Major case of Cred Void. Oh, wait, is that Leo, at the bottom of the pic, just off the side of the tanker? Look people, it IS Leo. Hi, Leo. How are ya, Leo? Gimme that like real stern and funny and tuff all rolled up in strudel, Leo? Got people who follow thru, Leo? Get people, Leo, coz that’s what you really need, a nice paddle cake strudel. I like you, Leo. I’ll strudel ya. Mmmm hhmmmmm.

  • Jdubbs33

    I prefer a physical keyboard. That means unless the specs on the slab are far superior to the Pre3, I will be that device. I love everything I know so far about the Pre3. The only slight problem is there hasn’t been a gyroscope announced.

  • zipperman

    looks like a custom skin because they don’t want us to see what the real skin looks like.

  • Joseph

    Leo says he l.o.v.e.d. his strudel. He wants m.o.r.e.

    • Joseph

      Here to s.t.r.u.d.e.l. Leo. Keep it up, LZ 129.

  • http://www.webosroundup.com Dan

    Is it just me, or do all slab phones look the same? … I’m pretty sure it’s not me…

  • Elantraxx

    this is not a phone, is a tablet. height 6.5 inches, width 5 inches. opal!

    watch the sheet of paper. approximately 20 lines can be counted.

  • Ryan

    Just release a new phone already HPalm getting tired of my ancient Pre on Sprint. I will wait until June then have no choice but to move on. Really don’t like android geeky form factor.

  • Joseph

    A Sprint contact tells me this resembles what he was “shown” at a “regional Sprint trade show” several months ago as a possible form factor of a fon from HP for “this fall…” …”Its all rumor.” His opinion: “They truly need some buzz even if they have to totally invent it out of thin air… there were several other very nice fon concepts from other manufacturers that were very innovative and exciting…” and “the Nexus S will be the next to market and very nice with bla bla…” and “then probably… bla bla” …”So the HP thing seemed really far off into the future on the time curve.” Bla bla.