and that it was exploring options for the webOS software that runs on the device. It has also dropped the price of the 16GB TouchPad to $99, making it one of the best tablet deals around.

Still, people who bought it took a risk, since it's not clear if HP will continue to develop the operating system. That risk may now pay off since the TouchPad could become the best-value Android tablet.

Three developers and other supporters have launched the project and plan to soon begin porting an older version of Android, known as Gingerbread, to the tablets.

"So you've plunked down your $99/$149, and you're staring at that WebOS screen... Welcome to a grand effort to port Android to the HP Touchpad," .

The group is having to start its work with Gingerbread because Google has not released the source code for Honeycomb, the version of Android for tablets that first became available on the Motorola Xoom in February. Once Ice Cream Sandwich, the next version of Android, becomes available, they'll focus on that version of the OS, according to the wiki site.