Hewlett-Packard (HP)’s last week decision to discontinue the sales of its recently-released TouchPad and other webOS hardware gives a clear indication about the fate of potential tablet devices --- that is, given the early dominance of the Apple iPad, the other tablets will succeed only if they are well-executed and economically-priced basic devices, backed by committed buyers!

In fact, HP’s TouchPad termination also underscores that the launch timing of a tablet affects the overall tablet market; more so as consumers do not appear to buy a device merely for potential --- they apparently will go in for a device that gives them a complete tablet experience, rather than waiting to buy one that may be “coming soon.”

Furthermore, if tablets are being deemed the future, it is essential that tablet-makers commit for the long haul – thereby implying that in order to offer any substantial competition to the iPad, rival manufacturers should be more than willing to invest much time as well as money.

Yet another important aspect that HP’s TouchPad has brought to light about the fate of the tablet market is that the pricing of the device has to be attractive – an observation that is substantiated by the near-total inventory sell-out of the $99-priced TouchPad within days of the device’s release!

Clearly, the consumers don’t mind shelling out $100-$150 for a tablet that offers solid basics, including functions like browsing, e-mail, messaging, and calendar activities --- and, a basic, affordable tablet will apparently only fly off the store shelves in no time!