HP on Wednesday is expected to introduce its first tablet device as well as new smartphones, powered by Palm's webOS mobile operating system.

HP acquired Palm's assets last summer for $1.2 billion. HP plans to roll out webOS in a number of products across its portfolio.

The first device running the WebOS software was Palm's Pre smartphone in 2009.

HP's move into the tablet market comes at a time where Apple is preparing to unveil the next generation of the iPad and Motorola Xoom and RIM's PlayBook hit the market in a few weeks.