HP's new super tilting TouchSmart 610 hit the scene just a hair before Intel brought their latest Sandy Bridge procs to market. Thankfully, HP has been quick to turn around some new model configurations to include Intel's killer dual and quad core parts.

Like before, HP's base TouchSmart 610 starts at $900 with AMD quad core procs, while the base Intel-specced rig will get you 2010 Core processors starting at $950.

The real action now starts at $1099 with the HP TouchSmart 610xt, which includes Intel's latest Core i5-2300 quad-core processor, DDR3 at 1066Mhz, and integrated graphics. Step up to the $1499 new HP TouchSmart Quad Series (oddly named given that the xt is also a quad core processor), and you'll get Intel's Core i7-2600, DDR3 at 1066Mhz, and an ATI Radeon 5570 discrete graphics, and an HDMI Input.

The TouchSmart 610z and up comes with Beats audio and Wireless N, and can be customized to include Bluetooth (standard on the Quad Series), up to 16GB of RAM, Norton Internet Security, Blu-Ray, and more. All TouchSmarts include HP's 4th generation TouchSmart Software Suite, native TouchSmart apps, and access to developer creations available through HPs TouchSmart Application Store.

HP's TouchSmart line of touch-friendly PC's have received their fair share of improvements over the years, but haven't really gotten any changes in the looks department since they moved from the IQ700 series to the thinner 500 and 800 series a few years ago. Don't get us wrong, there's nothing wrong with the look, but HP is combining form and function in some really cool ways.

The new TouchSmart610 and TouchSmart 9300 Business PC each offer a 60 degree reclining display. I'd argue the reclined position looks far more useful in a business environment, but I can definitely see some interesting home uses for a PC that can be reclined flat.

See more images in the gallery >>

The look isn't the only thing that's improved either. Aside from the typical hardware improvements in the processor department, the TouchSmart610 includes an LED backlit display for better blacks and crisp visuals. The sound system has also received some welcome improvements thanks to the integrated Beats audio. See the press release below for more features.

HP has used the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to announce a wide variety of new computers and technologies headed to consumers and businesses this year.  Aside from new hardware like the Pavilion dm1 netbook and Envy 17 3D notebook, HP also made an announcement for their TouchSmart line of PCs.

According to the press release, HP has made the TouchSmart 4.0 software, originally unveiled alongside the TouchSmart 4.0 SDK back in September, available as a free update for all 300 and 600 Series HP TouchSmart PCs. Users can find the update package the “Support and Drivers“ section on www.hp.com.

This should come as great news for TouchSmart application developers. This announcement should not only allow 300 and 600 sporting developers to finally get moved up to the latest release (thereby making it far easier to code and test apps), but it also means the userbase to use your applications just got substantially bigger.

Today HP unveiled translated versions of their latest TouchSmart SDK 4.0 for Korea, Japan, and China. The HP TouchSmart SDK 4.0, along with Windows 7, has been helping TouchSmart Developers integrate their applications into the TouchSmart around the world.

The TouchSmart 4.0 SDK, now available in four different languages, includes a TouchSmart shell integration API, code samples, deployment samples, and developer documentation.

Download the TouchSmart SDK today!

 - English

 - Simplified Chinese

 - Korean

 - Japanese

Introducing a more personal, intuitive and entertaining computing experience for consumers, HP today unveiled the sleekly appealing HP TouchSmart³¹⁰ PC, which features the most advanced version of the company’s exclusive TouchSmart software to date.

Check out this video to see it in action!

The company also announced the HP TouchSmart Apps Center for one-touch access to free and subscription-based applications, as well as the HP Omni¹⁰⁰, which offers the performance users demand from a tower and monitor in an all-in-one design.

HP also is helping businesses make touch an integral part of the customer experience through relationships with American Airlines, ESPN and the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers.

“Each generation of TouchSmart is a reflection of what HP has learned from its customers, complemented by the latest technologies,” said James Mouton, senior vice president, Desktop Organization, Personal Systems Group, HP. “The TouchSmart PC’s unique interface lets users do more than just basic computing

HP today released the fourth iteration of the TouchSmart Software Developers Kit (SDK) to TouchSmart Developers, and is now available to download here at the TouchSmart Dev Zone website. The TouchSmart 4.0 SDK is designed to help developers build applications for the new TouchSmart 4.0 software platform.

The 4.0 software platform represents a significant step forward in the look-and-feel and usability over the 3.0 platform, while providing some significant new features available to developers. For example, the TouchSmart SDK 4.0 supports new features Smartlets, parallax panning,  the carousel, and alerts.

The TouchSmart 4.0 SDK includes documentation and several code samples that will help a developer quickly build and deploy a TouchSmart application. As with the TouchSmart SDK  3.0, developers should be familiar with the Windows Presentation Foundation technology (for more information see http://windowsclient.net) before starting TouchSmart development.

TouchSmart software developers can download the TouchSmart SDK 4.0 here.

UPDATE: Also now available in Korean, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese!

For the second season, design contestants on Lifetime's "Project Runway" will be using HP's TouchSmart PCs and Notebooks. Throughout the show's eighth season, contestants can opt to use TouchSmarts over traditional pen and paper to better realize their vision and enhance their strategies.

Since HP's TouchSmart line is becoming synonymous with "fashion," there are many opportuities for TouchSmart developers to focus on creating compelling fashion applications for use on TouchSmart PCs.

Full press release below:

NEW YORK, July 29, 2010

HP today announced a second season of computer use by design contestants of Lifetime Television’s hit show “Project Runway.”

The use of HP technology allows the show’s designers to realize and elevate their creative visions through the use of the latest HP touch-enabled PCs based on Intel® processors. “Project Runway” season eight will premiere July 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.

Throughout season eight of “Project Runway,

HP's TouchSmart SDK 3.0 for Windows 7 has been helping TouchSmart Developers integrate their applications into the TouchSmart. Not long ago, HP brought their TouchSmart SDK to a new international audience with the TouchSmart SDK 3.0 in Simplified Chinese. Today, HP is expanding their global reach for TouchSmart developmenet with TouchSmart SDK in Japanese, Traditional Chincese, and Korean.

The TouchSmart 3.0 SDK, now available in 5 different languages, includes a TouchSmart shell integration API, code samples, deployment samples, and developer documentation.

Download the TouchSmart SDK today!

 - English

 - Simplified Chinese

 - Traditional Chinese

 - Korean

 - Japanese

HP's TouchSmart SDK 3.0 for Windows 7 has been helping TouchSmart Developers integrate their applications into the TouchSmart. Today, HP is bringing the TouchSmart SDK to a new international audience with the just launched TouchSmart SDK 3.0 in Simplified Chinese.

The TouchSmart 3.0 SDK, now available in both English and Simplified Chinese, includes a TouchSmart shell integration API, code samples, deployment samples, and developer documentation.

Download the TouchSmart SDK today!

 - English

 - Simplified Chinese

HP is looking to profile TouchSmart Developers in a new series called "HP in Touch," where you can detail share experiences using the TouchSmart SDK, what apps you've created, and more.

Details below:

"Have a great TouchSmart experience that you want to share? We're looking to hear from you -- the people using TouchSmart SDK day in, day out -- and want to find out what you've done. Beyond that, we also want to get your thoughts on the future of touch interfaces.

If you want to be profiled in our "HP in Touch" series, tell us a little about yourself -- and your app please send your contact information to hpintouch@touchsmartdevzone.com. We'll contact you soon enough to profile you in an upcoming story.

-Shuk from HP "

If you're interested, send an e-mail to the devzone email address above and we'll forward it on to Shuk directly. 

HP has released an update for TouchSmart Application, which according to HP, "resolves an issue with the personalize screen closing prematurely, and an issue with the TouchSmart application hanging during startup." This update affects only those with Windows 7 based TouchSmart Desktops. 

TouchSmart developers writing applications for Windows 7 TouchSmarts are encouraged to update their TouchSmarts with 3.0.35.0 shell as soon as possible. It can be downloaded directly from the TouchSmart Dev Zone, or from HP's website.

Download the HP TouchSmart Application Update 3.0.35.0

Been on the fence about picking up one of HP's TouchSmart PCs for your development rig, but have held off because it didn't quite have enough oomph for you? Those days are over.

HP has just lifted the curtain on the new TouchSmart 600 "Quad," which packs in Intel's latest Core i7 mobile processors.

The base model is pretty well equipped, shipping with the Intel Core i7-720QM quad-core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 cache) and 2x2GB (4GB) DDR3, a 750GB hard drive, and Windows 7 Home Premium for $1699 (as of this writing). For a limited time, upgrades to 6GB DDR 3 and a 1TB (5400RPM) hard drive free... although we'd only take the RAM and opt for the smaller 7200RPM hard drive.

For those looking to power it up further, the Intel Core i7-820QM quad-core processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L2 cache) is available, along with RAM upgrades to 8GB, hard drives up to 1.5TB, and Blu-Ray support.

HP's TouchSmart PC has been nominated for "Desktop of the Year" in Engadget's prestigious 2009 awards competition. Do your part and get the HP TouchSmart PC in the winner's circle!  Voting is only open until February 20th - so don't delay!

All you have to do is click here to vote.

[Via Engadget]

HP today announced the HP TouchSmart software development programs that allow software developers to create consumer and commercial applications for HP TouchSmart PCs and touch-enabled digital signage displays.

The programs are designed to significantly increase the utility of TouchSmart products for consumers and businesses.

“HP TouchSmart development programs allow developers to uncover new market opportunities while users can discover a whole new world of possibilities on their touch products,” said James Taylor, director, Experience Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “HP’s unique multitouch user interface, combined with native applications, provide the most advanced software platform for touch-enabled PCs and digital signage.”

HP connects with developers at TouchSmart DevZone

Developers looking to create applications for consumer TouchSmart PCs can visit the TouchSmart DevZone at www.touchsmartdevzone.com to download the HP TouchSmart software development kit free of charge. The kit includes a complete set of code samples, documentation and application programming interfaces that make creating applications for HP TouchSmart products easy and fast.

In conjunction with the release of Microsoft's highly anticipated Windows 7 Operating System on October 22nd, HP is letting loose new consumer and business focused TouchSmart PCs, notebooks, and a 42-inch HD interactive digitial signage display. 

On the consumer TouchSmart PCs, gone is the 25.5 inch behemoth in favor of more space friendly 20 and 23 inch sizes. On the software front, HP's given the TouchSmart Suite a major overhaul, bundling in new touch-friendly applications for Hulu, Twitter, Netflix, and a whole lot more.

Full details in the press release below | Visit the TouchSmart Microsite at HP.com

Building upon its nearly 30-year history of touch innovation, HP today launched the next era of multitouch computing for consumers and businesses.

Among the new products, HP introduced three touch-enabled HP TouchSmart PCs and its first fully interactive, 42-inch diagonal, high-definition (HD) digital signage touch display, the HP LD4200tm.

"Since the launch of the first TouchSmart PC nearly three years ago, we've worked closely with a growing number of software companies and independent vendors to develop built-for-touch applications that give consumers and businesses rich interactive multimedia experiences,

HP's "You on You Project" and contest over at YouTube may not have anything to do with TouchSmart computers, nor does it really have anything to do with HP products in general, but with three-hundred thousand dollars worth of cash and prizes up for grabs, you should definitely be paying attention.

The premise is actually pretty simple: create a short video that tells your story (or whatever really), with the only catch that you can't show your face. Submit it, and hope your video makes the cut of weekly finalists. This guy will tell you the rest...

Visit the You on You Contest page at YouTube

We here at TouchSmart Community also want to see your videos. If you submit one to the YouTube contest, post it here to share it with the community.

HP is working on a new website called "HP in Real Life," where they'll be showcasing user submitted stories from individuals who use their HP product(s) in interesting and extraordinary ways.  

Here's your chance to inspire others by telling HP how your HP products help you accomplish special things, or share unique ways you tackle everyday tasks like keeping family connected across the country or the globe, balancing work and play or just planning life and events.

"We’d love to share your story to inspire others to go beyond the ordinary with HP products," says HP.

To submit your story to HP for consideration, visit the story submission page.

HP today announced leading industry blogs including Ask the Admin, AbsoluteWindows and Hardware Geeks are conducting promotions to uncover business touch applications for the HP dx9000 TouchSmart PC. These sites will select entries and present the HP dx9000 TouchSmart PC* to the most innovative business application developer. That's three HP dx9000 TouchSmart PCs being given away!

"At airports, stadiums, hotels and retailers, HP TouchSmart PCs are helping companies large and small engage their customers with a fun and interactive touch experience," said Alan Reed, vice president and general manager, Business Desktops, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Users can scroll, zoom, and browse with the touch of a finger, bringing multimedia content to life and immersing the user in custom software applications."

Here at the TouchSmart Community, software developers can access HP TouchSmart guidelines to easily modify existing applications to work on a touch interface, or create new applications. Join the TouchSmart Community

Purchase a new HP TouchSmart PC starting today and you'll get a free upgrade to Windows 7 when it launches on October 22nd.

Full Press Release:

HP today announced it will offer the Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system on consumer and business PCs beginning Oct. 22.

To meet customers’ computing needs while protecting their investments, the company is participating in the Windows Upgrade Option Program to help customers transition easily to Windows 7. The program will enable customers who purchase qualifying HP PCs to enjoy the benefits of a new Windows-based PC immediately and receive a free(1) upgrade to Windows 7 when it becomes available in October.

Customers who purchase an HP PC starting today may be eligible for the upgrade program. HP customers can visit http://www.hp.com/go/windows7upgrade to check for upgrade eligibility, register and get answers about their PCs and current operating systems. Following general availability of Windows 7 on Oct. 22, qualifying customers will receive the Windows 7 upgrade and an upgrade utility disk(2) with a step-by-step guide for installation at their convenience.(3)

Nashville, Tennessee - (June 1, 2009) - Nashville-based solutions provider, Uniguest^TM, has unveiled the all-in-one HP dx9000 TouchSmart PCs for its Business Center Kiosks, Boarding Pass Kiosks, and the newly developed Concierge Station^TM Kiosk at the Nashville Marriott Airport.

In a press conference last Wednesday at the Nashville Marriott Airport, representatives from Uniguest^TM, HP and the Marriott Airport Nashville announced the revolutionary touch-screen computers are available to guests and visitors of the Nashville Airport Marriott.

Speaking on behalf of Uniguest^TM, Co-Founder and CEO Shawn Thomas kicked off the conference by thanking those that have taken part in the development of this new technology. "As a 50-employee firm and as an entrepreneur, it is truly exciting to team up with the world's largest IT firm, HP," Thomas said.

Thomas came up with the fresh idea of incorporating Uniguest's top-selling SecuredAdvantage^TM kiosk software with the HP TouchSmart PC when he saw the sleek TouchSmart at a Best Buy