Hacknmod, which provides mobile hacking and modifying tips, has announced a bounty worth $1500 (Rs 67,500 approx.) for porting Android along with number of features to HP TouchPad tablet.
HP TouchPad tablet went on sale through Best Buy in the USA, Future Shop in Canada and HP website three days ago. All three websites sold HP TouchPad 16 GB WiFi tablet version for $99 (Rs 4,500 approx.) and 32 GB WiFi tablet version for $149 (Rs 6,750 approx.).
Ever since HP has announced to stop webOS mobile devices operations, users are looking at alternative uses of the TouchPad tablets. These folks include those who have already bought the HP TouchPad and also the ones who are buying one online for cheap. Two strong developer forums have kick-started projects to port Android successfully on the webOS running HP TouchPad.
HacknMod has gone a step ahead and announced a bounty prize for the talented developers who can not only port Android to TouchPad but also make other crucial features working as well. Multi-tiered bounty system by HacknMod has highest prize worth $450 for the basic Android Port and second highest is $350 to get the WiFi module working.
Such projects are aimed to make the best of the TouchPad hardware instead of letting the tablet to become obsolete in near future. After Google Android operating system is ported, users can make the best of the tablet with several Apps.
However, the major purpose of HacknMod’s bounty prize is to deliver an easy and user-friendly method to make Android OS working flawlessly on the HP TouchPad tablet. Also entire work should be documented under the Open Source License regulations.
Rootzwiki forum has set up a special project christened TouchDroid with couple of developers who will initially try to port Android 2.3 Gingerbread on TouchPad. Long term plan includes eventually porting the Android 3.x Honeycomb tablet specific operating system on TouchPad.
HP TouchPad offers hardware similar to that of several Android tablets available today and considering the current fire sale, it is being sold like hot cakes. Unfortunately, there is no legitimate way to get the HP TouchPad tablet for Rs 4,500 or Rs 6,750 in India.
Only way you can do it is, buy one online and get it shipped to your friend, relative or colleague located in the USA. Else you can go with services like Shopandship.com or 20North which charge bit extra for getting the same to your doorstep.
(Note: We neither promote, nor endorse either of these websites.)