Forget what you think you know about Palm. Tech blog Engadget is offering an exclusive look at HP/Palm’s Topaz webOS tablet, one of two tablets the tech giant has been teasing industry observers with for months now. According to the Engadget posting, the 9-inch Topaz and a 7-inch model called Opal will be unveiled at a WebOS event next month.

Among the features touted by Engadget are “the no-button design,” “a front-facing camera, a micro USB port on the bottom, and what appears to be a Vizio Tablet-style three speaker arrangement for stereo audio in both landscape and portrait modes -- that's two speakers along the left side and a third on the right.”

Whether or not HP/Palm’s Topaz will pose a challenge to Apple’s iPad remains to be seen. However, according to a new survey from ChangeWave Research, the Apple iOS leads the industry with 74 percent of customers who use the iPhone OS saying they’re “Very Satisfied.” Just behind them is the Android OS, with two-in-three users (65 percent) saying they’re “Very Satisfied.” The “Very Satisfied” ratings of both these players dwarf those of other major operating systems, including the Palm OS/Web OS (32 percent), RIM OS (31 percent) and Windows Mobile (24 percent).

The survey of 4,000 respondents, completed Sept. 23, takes a close-up look at the transformation occurring in mobile OS and smartphone preferences.

Last April, HP purchased Palm along with its webOS mobile operating system for approximately $1.2 billion. The transaction has been approved by the HP and Palm boards of directors.

“Palm’s innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP’s mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices,” said Todd Bradley, executive vice president of Personal Systems Group for HP. “And, Palm possesses significant IP assets and has a highly skilled team. The smartphone market is large, profitable and rapidly growing, and companies that can provide an integrated device and experience command a higher share. Advances in mobility are offering significant opportunities, and HP intends to be a leader in this market.”

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