Updated: The webOS Tablet Gets a Name? HP Files “PALMPAD” Trademark

Hewlett Packard filed a trademark for the term PALMPAD on July 9th, leaving open speculation that PALMPAD may be the moniker of HP’s rumored webOS-powered tablet.

The filing on uspto.gov lists Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. as the “LAST APPLICANT(S)/OWNER(S) OF RECORD” for the term. Under “Class Status,” the filing reads:

Computers, computer hardware, computer software, computer peripherals, portable computers, handheld and mobile computers, PDAs, electronic notepads, mobile digital electronic devices.

Source: uspto.gov

The HP webOS tablet had previously been known as “Hurricane,” and PALMPAD is still only a trademark filing and not an official name. While HP has not officially confirmed they are currently working on a webOS tablet, they did mention their intentions to develop one when they acquired Palm for $1.2 billion last April

What about Android and Windows 7?

HP has been teasing the tablet form factor since CES 2010 last January. It was there that Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appeared with an HP Windows 7 tablet during his keynote address. Following months of spec leaks and bad buzz, rumors claimed HP scrapped that particular device. HP then purchases Palm, leading to the suggestion that HP had replaced Windows 7 with webOS as its preferred tablet operating system. However, last week at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, a graphic shown during a Ballmer presentation listed HP as a company releasing a Windows 7 tablet within the year.

HP has apparently had the same hot/cold approach to Android. According to a report in All Things Digital last week, HP planned to release an Android tablet in Q4 2010 before indefinitely delaying and possibly scrapping the project all together.

Too Many ‘Pads

If PALMPAD is the name of HP’s upcoming tablet, it joins the Apple iPad, MSI WindPad and the Asus Eee Pad as the “Pad” tablets.

Update: LA Gadgets Examiner is claiming sources at HP confirmed that “PalmPad” is not yet the official name and that the device will recognize Wacom pen input in addition to sporting a capactive touchscreen.

Source: uspto.gov via preCentral and Engadget