When it was announced about a week ago that HP Slate and Microsoft Courier both were canceled, many experts assume that there was some connection between these two devices. These devices were expected to push netbooks and the iPad. Considering that both devices were expected to run a flavor of Windows, they could have a nice portable alternative to netbooks. CNET is now reporting that HP Slate may not be dead after all. HP has acquired Palm and WebOS, which means things are a bit more complicated for HP than before.

WebOS is one innovative OS. Palm may have dropped the ball by not making a better fight out of its competition with iPhone and other top platforms. But that does not mean that WebOS can’t have a bright future. Of course, HP would not have a way to know unless it continues to develop the OS and utilizes it on some of its devices. A WebOS tablet could give the company the opportunity it needs.

None of these top companies are going to give up on the tablet market. Not when Apple has just paved the way for a host of new tablets to make their way and start competing for marketshare. Apple iPad may be dominating the news right now, but it won’t go on forever. HP and other companies interested in the tablet business may be just biding their time.