If someone should have an old HP Touchpad picked up from the fire sale back in August/September of 2011 and bricked it, here is a great option to give it new life. This neat little gadget is an amazing grab and go piece of technology. It's true HP abandoned OS updates not long after they scraped the complete project in fears of the IPad. I was on the HP waiting list for the 32 GB model being liquidated for $149.00, they also offered a 16 MB version for a mere $99.00. My HP Touchpad remained dormant for a month or two afterwards when I realized the software was flawed and had limited support from HP that eventually would no longer provide updates. Since then, after wiping the OS clean and installing the Android operating system, I've used this as a constant companion on the road because of the toughness and portability it offers. It is the best $149.00 I ever spent and occasionally will install the latest Android 8.1, 7.1 or 6.0 versions from scratch, keeping my HP updated with full functionality that rivals any laptop with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and provides access to the internet world flawlessly.
9.7-inch diagonal XGA capacitive, multitouch screen with a vibrant, 18-bit color, 1,024 x 768 resolution display
The option of either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage(14)
High-performance browser with full access to the web, including support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta for access to rich, Flash-based web content(1)
Wireless connectivity:
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n with WPA, WPA2, WEP, 802.1X authentication(1)
A-GPS (3G only)(10)
Bluetooth(R) wireless technology 2.1 + EDR with A2DP stereo Bluetooth support
Multimedia options, including music, photos, video recording and playback, and a 3.5 mm headset/headphone/microphone jack
Internal stereo speakers and Beats Audio
Front-facing 1.3-megapixel webcam for live video calling(11)
Email, including EAS (for access to corporate Microsoft Exchange servers) and personal email support (Google Gmail push, Yahoo!, POP3, IMAP)(6)
Robust messaging support(4)
Light sensor, accelerometer, compass (magnetometer) and gyroscope
Rechargeable 6,300 mAh (typical) battery
Micro-USB (Charging and PC Connect) with USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Built-in HP Touchstone technology for easy charging (HP Touchstone for TouchPad sold separately) and HP touch-to-share to share web addresses between TouchPad and compatible webOS phones(5)
Dimensions: 190 mm x 242 mm x 13.7 mm (7.48 inches x 9.53 inches x .54 inches)
The HP TouchPad's screen uses toughened Gorilla Glass. This, as the name suggests, is a chemically treated cover designed to withstand scratches, drops and just about anything us weedy nerds can throw at it. http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-hp-doomed-the-touchpad-to-failure/
My battery holds a good charge and averages about 2 days, if you still have it you can replace the battery fairly easy, comes apart just like the newer mobile phones that do not have a removable battery. The battery can be picked up from $20.00 to $40.00 on eBay.
In the following steps, you will use a metal spudger to lift the front panel out from the rear case of your TouchPad.
The front panel is held in by seven clips (boxed in red) that are lightly anchored to the rear case. When you remove the front panel assembly, you are bound to break either the clips or their supports attached to the rear case. We will update this guide as we find replacement parts or a better method to remove the panel.
As you remove the front panel assembly, also be careful not to damage the ambient light sensor (boxed in yellow) or the two antennas (boxed in orange).
Insert a flat metal spudger in the gap between the rubber outer ring on the front panel assembly and the black plastic rear case near the USB connector.
Pry the front panel assembly up from the rear case, being careful not to damage the LCD or the glass panel.
As you work through the following steps, insert your metal spudger and pry the front panel up, but do not try to slide the spudger along the gap you're creating. Always remove your spudger, then insert it at another spot and pry upward.
Pull the vibrator motor connector straight away from its socket on the USB connector board.
Remove the USB connector board from the TouchPad.
NOTE: First verify that there is a connector before pulling! The vibrator motor may be soldered directly to the USB Board requiring the motor to be pried up and removed together with the board.
De-route the lower antenna cable along the top edge of the battery and carefully pull it out from under its retaining clip near the top right corner of the battery.
Thanks! I have an old HP Touchpad that my wife gave to me after she gave up on it after HP abandoned it. I still have it and it's in mint condition. One of these days I'll upgrade it to Android after watching that video since it's just collecting dust right now.