HP Photosmart eStation C510 Android Zeen tablet/printer combo detailed

HP's Photosmart eStation C510 printer is indeed the rumored Android-based Zeus/Zeen printer/tablet combo according to HP product documentation supplied to Engadget.  Tipped last month, the pairing will consist of the Zeen tablet – a capacitive touchscreen slate running Android 2.1 with a custom HP skin on top – and the Zeus printer; alone, the printer will have basic functionality like most HP models, but when the Zeen tablet is docked it will enable web-centric functionality such as internet printing, Barnes & Noble NOOK ebookstore access and more.

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That means printing ebook content direct from the Zeen on the Zeus, without an intermediary computer involved.  Unfortunately, it sounds like HP aren't keen on turning the Zeen into a general-purpose slate: it apparently lacks either the Gmail app or Android Market access, is locked to the custom UI, and only offers a curated web-printing experience including preloaded apps for Facebook, Yahoo and Snapfish.

Unfortunately, leaked first-impressions of the hardware aren't especially positive either: the Zeen has capacitive touch buttons, an SD card slot, supports video and (on some prototypes) has a webcam, but touchscreen accuracy is said to be particularly shoddy.  There's also little chance of a Froyo update, given HP has now shifted its attention to webOS.

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The Zeen/Zeus bundle will apparently come in at $399.99 and is expected to begin shipping on September 20th (though that could well slip); the Zeen slate will supposedly be available separately, though no prices have been revealed.

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