HP issues webOS update for discontinued TouchPad tablet

HP's Palm team has announced an over-the-air webOS software update for the discontinued TouchPad tablet.

The update addresses a number of core functionalities including faster switching in calendar views, faster scrolling in email, support for HTTP live streaming, the ability to turn auto-correction off and a function whereby a double tap on the space bar automatically inserts a full stop.

The firm has also issued a webOS update for its Pre 2 and Pre 3 phones including improvements to messaging, calendar tools and contacts, while the Pre 2 also has Skype calling and messaging improvements.

HP announced it was discontinuing sales of the TouchPad during Leo Apotheker's short-lived tenure, which led to massive price cuts and a rush from consumers in the US and the UK to get hold of the device for as little as £89.

Apotheker was eventually replaced by former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman, who reversed his decision to take HP out of the PC market and announced the firm would turn the webOS platform over to the open source community, with funding from HP.