Best Buy TouchPad training begins at the end of the month, getting dedicated display tables 60
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 4:36 pm EDT 
We’ve all but nailed down the retail release channels for the HP TouchPad. We’re looking at OfficeMax, Staples, Wal-Mart, and now Best Buy. An anonymous source has tipped us that training for store sales reps is expected to begin around the end of the month, though the TouchPad may launch in stores before that. HP reps will be coming around to stores during July to do in-person TouchPad demonstrations for the sales staff (apparently these sort of demos from HP personnel happen often well after the release of HP products, while "special reps" do demos for things like phones).
Additionally, another Best Buy tipster has informed us that the retail giant’s 'Computers Department' is due for an overhaul that’s going to rearrange things for a more open feeling – tipster says the new design is reminiscent of an Apple retail store layout, complete with cleaned up signage and price tags. The Computers Department (at least in this store) will also receive at least two Best Buy Mobile terminals so that customers buying cellular-enabled tablets and laptops will be able to be activated on the spot.
Those tablets are going to be getting a lot of shelf space at Best Buy, but the TouchPad is going to be getting some special treatment. Our tipster says that the webOS tablet is going to get is own separate table front and center in the computers department, a “halo product” table, if you will, in the style of the big Apple tables that have taken up residence in Best Buy stores across the nation. It’s notable that the TouchPad is getting a good chunk of shelf space, but it’s even more notable that it’s been deemed important enough to be separated from the rest of the Android tablets that are going to be invading Best Buy’s shelves.
Wondering what that might look like? PreCentral reader Nalek was at his local Best Buy this morning when he saw that big display you see above (it says "coming soon" in the center). From his estimations, it was just as big as Best Buy's display for the iPad 2. In the center it looks to be showing off multitasking, card stacks, Just Type search, some games, Touch-to-Share, and some more apps.
Thanks anonymous and anonymous for the tips, and Nalek for the picture!
60 Comments
yay. can't wait so i can go and play with one. since i lost my sprint palm pre i never used my upgrade/insurance to replace it. i've been using an old samsung instinct to do my basic cell phone needs (call/text). can't wait to finally ugprade.
That looks nice. Can't wait to see some Pre3s on the table!
This amazing now they to start making ad's with Eminem and Dr. Dre!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that .. would be awesome
two of my favorite (rap) artists .. my favorite OS ever
talk about a match made in heaven
Goes right along with their website teaser and notification.
HP is absolutely flexing that channel muscle.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Computers-Promotions/HP+Touchpad+Highlights/...
man i'm excited, but here's what i just thought of. Windows 8 Looks amazing too. I'm actually very excited about Windows 8.
And if HP is trying to get WebOS on Windows, why wouldn't I just get a Windows 8 Tablet with WebOS? If that's possible, that would be amazing... jsut no touch to share =/
meh, hate the look of windows 8.
With win8 Enyo apps should be able to fit in seamlessly but it's yet to be seen what it means for the rest of webOS' features
You've got a while before you will see a Windows 8 tablet.
And 0 Apps on it running on Windows 8. As of now I see no reason to use Windows 8 on a tablet, that makes it better than webOS, Android or even iOS. They are basically sacrificing all of their thousands of Apps to have something called Windows on a tablet.
Windows 8 CAN play all Windows Apps, but only on Intel-hardware... Which they won't use for the tablets (that probably will be running on Arm).
Because HP is creating an entire platform for their products that are integrated with one another. If you have an app on your phone, you won't need it on your PC or on your tablet, that app you pay for will be able to be played on all three (according to interviews I have seen recently), especially with touch to share.
If you really think Winidows 8 looks amazing, you might do better buying a windows phone because they'll probably be similar as well. Although I like MS's concept, that tile system they displayed just looks like a jumbled mess with no organization.
Sounds like it will be visually impressive at the store. This should help sway folks that are shopping around.
oh, just gimme one of these things already!
take my money!
no really take it
I saw a display like this for the coming soon touchpad and the already here HP Veer. I wanted to send a pic to PC but didn't know who to send it to. Hopefully they will move some units
This may be wishful thinking, but I can't imagine that a store like Best Buy is going to let primo floor space sit relatively empty for too long-- if the displays are starting to go up, the thing *has* to be coming within a week or two, right?
I agree, other sources are saying next week and the 12th so these won't be empty for more than another week at the most. 7 days baby!
This was my first thought exactly. There is no way they are planning on leaving that empty for a month. Signs at the BB here go up about a week ahead of launch. I am definitely going in to check it out.
HP is payin' good dough (or giving huge margins) for that kinda treatment @ BB
It happens all the time. Sony has a paid space at my local BB and it has been empty for 2 months.
If it is paid, it's paid.
Here is another big HP retailer, Costco. Wonder when they will get the Touch Pad?
Everybody is a big HP retailer. HP would sell these things out of the back of a van if they knew it would work.
Ok...that's pretty freakin' cool. Really good to see HP flex it's multi billion dollar muscle for webOs and the TouchPad.
man, the wait is getting unbearable for me. I haven't been this pressed over a gadget since the xbox360 debuted. I waited in line for hours at BB to get one. I think i'm passed that now, but I hope the touchpad gets people lining up!
Though I am as excited as anyone, why would HP start "training for store sales reps is expected to begin around the end of the month, though the TouchPad may launch in stores before that?"
Shouldn't they train the sales personnel before they are responsible for teaching the consumer about the product? Will they know anything about webOS much less webOS 3.0. Will they understand TTS even if there is no Pre 3 to demo it? Will all their initial training be via video only?
Just seems a bit weird to me.
we dont know exactly when it will launch, but the weirdness appears to be common with HP so far. The Veer ad campaign launched weeks after the phone. Some reps didn't even know they had the device in their stores.
Many stores didn't even have the Veer when it was "launched". I got to play with it last weekend after asking about it. It wasn't on display, not even one of the dummies.
What it probably means is the TouchPad will go on sale in early July.
1. Announcement of launch date next week at HP Discover
2. Pre-Orders to begin for hp shopping site, best buy, amazon, etc. June 12 or so
3. Product ships beginning of July - SANS NetFlix which sucks
Hopefully it's a working display and not a dummy display. Best Buy is notorious for doing this will cell phones.
I'm happy to see this, but the timing just seems really backward. Training really should be BEFORE the launch, not after. Salespeople are already so lacking in knowledge about webOS (and in some case either don't care or outright bash webOS), why release a product like this...
And the Pad gets personal again... They should have also highlighted Beats Audio - it's a great selling point. I wonder if they're waiting to do TP training in july so they can show the TTS with the Pre3.
It's been a long wait but it looks like it'll be over soon! I am very excited about this exposure WebOS will be getting.
Went to the local BB, and they had a little table out with this (opposite their Veer display). Fired up barcode scanner on my Epic to test what site the QR would take you to (BB or HP). Turns out it sends you to a 404 page does not exist error. Well played, HP.
MANY of the QR codes don't work at best buy. Don't blame it on HP.
It's not a bestbuy link, it's Palm.com.
Sam's Club $578 Online
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod3900226#desc
Any word on why we're not seeing any pricing on a 16gb version? Is that supposed to launch later or something odd like that?
From the rumors, Wal-Mart (which could also mean Sams has a launch exclusive)...
i said this was going to happen one month ago! js. just how nobody believes me that sprint is getting the veer
I believe in you, djfu313r!
Said what was going to happen? That the TP is going to be sold at BB? I mean, that's just common sense.
I'm not sure it was "deemed important enough" for the space as much as HP probably bought the shelf space.
Almost all retail spaced is paid for in one way or another.
Yeah, and I'm sure HP said we will pay "x" amount to get prime space. There is nothing wrong with it, I am just making the point that BB probably didn't throw themselves at the opportunity to give them the space, as is subtly implied by Derek.
Best Buy still will not give space to a product they don't think will sell. HP put up some cash but Best Buy needs to be a beleiver, they get stuck with the inventory, they have to move it and pay taxes on it. Get your **** otu of here.
When I buy my Touchpad at my local Bestuy store, will prolly join the booth guys in selling it till my wife pulls me out.
LOL, that reminds me of .... me :)
LOL I could see me doing that as well
Obviously, HP is doing a lot of pushing on WebOS to promote the goodies... Finally, people start to realize the importance of heavy marketing and the great value this OS represents, compared to CrapleOS (for example). Plus HP has a ton of solid connections with giant retailers so that alone will help enormously to push the right buttons.
This is so flippin' awesome. It took them nearly forever, but it's hard to believe it's almost here..
I can't wait to see an enormous HP Touchpad display drowning out an ipad display.
Now i just hope the apps start rolling in like they said they will. Thats truly the main thing that would make these new devices successful.
all of this sounds amazing! i can not wait for this to come out!!! i will demo this thing like there is no tomorrow to get more sold...i am super excited!!!
Where are the trolls? I kinda miss those cute lil annoying f'ers. ;-)
hahahaha, the one that i notice the most is cmil1212... once i see his post (w/o even reading it yet) what comes to mind is "there he goes again", he hates webos so much so why bother checking precentral?
That image is an endcap, not a large table like Apple's. It will more than likely just be a typical endcap such as the one that the Xoom is on now or even the iPad2's.
What would really be nice is if HP could get table space like Apple has and have their own HP section like Apple.
OH, and when HP came out with the eStation, that endcap sat empty for about 3-4 weeks.
Actually the iPad is on an endcap. It's only Apple computers that are on a table, I know because I work at Best Buy. And the TouchPad endcap is the exact same size as the iPad one.
Build it and they will come!! In droves we hope!
Retail parity with Apple isn't possible, but it does help them stand out amidst Playbook and Honeycomb tablets somewhat, so good for HP.
Maybe Best Buy will start putting Veers out on the floor at every location, too.
end of the month? That's why I gave up waiting on pre 3 and got a WP7. How much waiting can anyone do? Promises only don't make the case, we need hardware.
What happened to "weeks" after an announced product? I'm really tired, and frankly quit watching, cool demos. I want the hardware.
Curious how you feel about the WP7?
I can't believe they released a browser on that phone that supports Zero HTML5 and even has some older version of CSS...probably CSS2 instead of 3.
http://goo.gl/kT0H7