HP Pre3 and HP Veer webOS smartphones leak

Hot on the heels of the HP TouchPad tablet comes yet another leak ahead of the official webOS launch, this time about a new smartphone. According to Robert Scoble, HP is readying a tiny webOS handset so compact "it's like a large pebble in your hand." It looks like the smartphone could well be the HP Veer, which PreCentral spotted has been added to the HP Deals tab on the shopping page.

There's also the TouchPad and the HP Pre3, which is presumably a replacement to the existing Pre 2.

Palm devices became known for their relatively compact displays in comparison to handsets running rival platforms; the Pre had a 3.1-inch panel, for instance. Scoble suggests that the device is being targeted at those who want a capable smartphone OS but a compact, featurephone-style casing. SlashGear is at the HP event this morning, and we'll be bringing you all the news as it happens.