No one doubted HP's (NYSE: HPQ) intent to release a webOS-based tablet later this year. Regardless, supporters will be happy to hear that the rumors are now as good as confirmed, according to new information as revealed by trade paper Digitimes. Monty Wong, the vice president of personal computing systems group at HP Taiwan apparently told the Digitimes that HP will adopt the webOS platform for "consideration with smartphones and other mobile devices."

Of course, this will only occur once the acquisition of Palm is completed, and Wong declined to comment on any specifics. Compared to would-be contenders like the joojoo--which appears unable to deliver--the entrance of a HP Slate running on a modern operating system like the webOS is sure to shake the nascent tablet market in a big way.

Just so as to calm the grapevine though, Wong also said that HP has no plans to use webOS for current netbook products at the moment.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at CNET News
- check out this article at DigiTimes (reg. req.)

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