HP readying touchscreen laptops, phones

Range of sensitive products in the works

By James Sherwood • Get more from this author

16th October 2008 11:19 GMT

Hewlett Packard is planning to embrace touchscreen devices more ferociously and is thought to be on the verge of launching both a touchscreen laptop and a series of touchscreen phones.

A spokeswoman for the PC giant confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that it’s “building a whole family of touch devices”.

Although the spokeswoman didn’t give away any further details, people said to be familiar with the matter told the paper that HP will unveil a consumer notebook with a touchscreen before the end of the year.

A price hasn’t been leaked yet.

HP expanded its range of Touchsmart PCs just last month

It’s worth noting that HP isn’t new to the touchscreen market. Just last month, the firm expanded its range of TouchSmart touch-sensitive all-in-one PCs, with the addition of two further models.

However, the already overcrowded touchscreen mobile market could become a little more congested if said sources are correct that HP’s planning to launch a series of such devices.

The moles claimed that the phones, which could debut in Europe next year, will be used by HP as a way of differentiating itself from the likes of Dell.

It’s also been claimed that HP’s planning to launch a netbook with a 10in screen, but which won’t feature a touchscreen. The PC could appear in the coming months.