What is This?

This is a Flea Market sale of surplus hardware from webOS Archive. We rescue these devices and archive any apps they contain, for posterity. Once done, the devices are reset and wiped, cleaned and activated and ready for re-use.

What is a TouchPad?

HP's TouchPad was announced on February 9, 2011, at the webOS "Think Beyond" event held at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco alongside the HP Veer and HP Pre 3. It was intended to compete with the iPad, but was quickly overshadowed by the iPad 2 and promptly discontinued. The remaining stock was liquidated at fire sales, and HP sold the webOS operating system to LG shortly afterward.

The TouchPad remains the most usable webOS device, running version 3 of the operating system. It represents an era where the user was in charge of their platform -- not a data generation product to be mined by Apple or Google. webOS is Linux-based, leveraging web technologies for the front-end. The devices were easily "Developer Unlocked" (eg: jailbroken) and standard Linux binaries compiled for the hardware architecture could run on it. The SDK has been largely restored by the community, making the TouchPad a fun device to tinker with. If you'd like, it can also run early versions of Android (even dual booting between both OSes.)

But Why?

Rescuing these TouchPads helps fund webOS Archive -- the unofficial repository of information, restoration efforts, and archives for the legacy webOS mobile operating system. We provide web services and apps that help keep these devices useful in 2024 and beyond.

By getting these devices out there, we hope to grow the community and encourage new developers!

Condition

All TouchPads will be cleaned, reset, activated and developer unlocked, with a useful minimal software loadout. Sales includes the tablet only -- no box, accessories, or cables (TouchPads charge with standard micro-USB).

Grade B - Will have some scuffs and scratches on the case, screens will be in good condition with no visible issues when the backlight is on. There may be stress marks or cracks around the speakers, and/or evidence that the unit has been opened (usually to replace the battery.) The battery holds enough charge to be useful, and isn't visibly inflating -- however, these devices are old (2011) and there's no guarantee about how long they'll remain in that state. New-old-stock batteries can be found on eBay.

Grade C - All the same issues as Grade B, but may have cracks on the case or noticeable scratches on the screen. Units will NOT be sold with shattered glass or bulging batteries (at time of shipping.)

Shipping

Shipping cost is for within the continental US. If you're outside the US, please contact me with details for a shipping quote.