They could do something exceptionally creative, they could sell them at half-cost with full schematics and data sheets for all of the parts. Plus documentation on the boot process, identify jtag/test ports, maybe boot rom source code.

This would save them from an expensive e-recycling bill.

It would put a lot of now 'open' tablets on the market which would give a huge cadre of people who would give it a shot a chance to do something amazing. It could change the world.

Its a shame that winning the lottery is more likely than this outcome.

In an interesting test of Google+ I shared an open letter to HP with this suggestion to 'Public.' Since I don't think anyone from HP follows me it probably won't get anywhere but if you see it and reshare it, perhaps it could increase the odds.

Do you have a link to your Google+ post?

I'd like to pick one up for $50 or less and try to shoe-horn Android on there.

They could try selling them. They never even released the Pre3 in the USA. I'm still waiting to buy.

I was. Are you still planning on getting a Pre3 in spite of the announcement? I could deal with a smaller number of apps; but now I'm worried there simply won't be any apps at all for the ecosystem.

I'm still sort of considering it. I already knew there wouldn't be many apps. That's actually fine for me because I'm buying it for the sole purpose of developing for. I use C/C++ and libSDL (which has support on all the major phone systems) for development.

I don't use that many apps actually. Typically I just use a web browser, an ssh client (yes I actually SSH out from my phone often), and the odd solitaire card game every once in a while.

Landfills are so 80s.

woot-offs are where not-so-successful consumer electronics go to die these days (and I say this as a big fan of woot, and bargain basement priced semi-abandoned technology).

If these things came up on Woot, I would buy three. Might get a few friends to buy some more.

The hardware is fine, and the open-source software that would surround such a release would, I'm sure, be awesome. Please, HP?

Or next to the Apple Lisas. Or the EV1s.:-(

Actually, Apple sold out their Lisa stock after they rebranded it "Mac XL". Turns out there was a market for a "professional" Mac with an internal hard drive back then.

They'll be on Woot by the end of the month. Mark my words. Maybe September. Estimated price point $219 for 16GB.