Tag Archives: Motorola Xoom

Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition pictures and hands-on

Posted by Chris Hall on November 3, 2011 No comments

8-incher, perfect for your pocket
Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition pictures and hands-on. Tablets, Motorola, Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition, Android, Photos 0

Motorola launched two new Android tablets on Thursday, the Xoom 2 and the Xoom 2 Media Edition. Despite sharing a name, the latter "media edition" is the smaller, with an 8.2-inch display. Pocket-lint was on hand to give the new tablet a quick going over at the UK launch event.?

With the 10.1-inch Xoom 2 effectively replacing, or updating, the existing Xoom (you can find our hands-on here), it's the Xoom 2 Media Edition that looks the more exciting of the two tablets.

It's compact, that smaller display meaning that this is a tablet that is all the more pocketable. It will, at a push, fit into a pocket, although it might be a bit cumbersome to carry around. Measuring 139 x 216 x 8.99mm, it's small enough to slip into any bag.

It also tackles one of the biggest complains of tablets by weighing in at 386g, making it about the same size as the ViewSonic ViewPad 7x.

We like the design too. The snipped corners make the Xoom 2 Media Edition look a little more aggressive, and a little more distinct, and in a world where there are only so many changes that can be made to a flat slab, it's a subtle detail.

Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition

Around the back of the Xoom 2 Media Edition we also like the detailing of that back plate, the visible bolt tops give it a rugged look at first glance and we appreciate the tactile feel of the edges. It feels secure in the hand and perfectly comfortable held with one hand.?

Whilst on the topic of being rugged (which technically it isn't), it is treated with Motorola's new Splash-guard, the same as the Motorola RAZR. This is a coating technique that makes the entire device water repellent. The idea is that it will withstand an accidental splash.

In terms of software, the Xoom 2 Media Edition appeared to be running a fairly standard build of Android 3.2, but Motorola have confirmed that an update to Ice Cream Sandwich will come within 6 weeks of them receiving the code from Google. Although it will hit shelves in mid-November with Honeycomb, it will be updated soon after.

The hardware side of things is pretty exciting too. Under the hood you'll essentially get the same specs as the 10.1-inch model. That includes a 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 processor, 1GB RAM and 16GB of internal memory. You also get an IR transmitter, so you'll be able to fire up the Dijit app and use it as a universal remote control.

Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition

Sadly there is no external SD card slot, so you won't be able to expand on this capacity. The device will come with Motorola's MotoCast service, which lets you stream content from your home PC, once you've installed the server software.

We're also rather taken with the screen, which is nice and sharp, and being IPS, offers great viewing angles too. Motorola haven't revealed exactly what the resolution is, but it's sharp enough. Just don't set it alongside a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7…?

In our brief time with the new Xoom 2 Media Edition it was quick and fast to respond to our prods, although it was a pre-production model and obviously not loaded with our own content. Final performance and things like battery life we'll have to leave for our Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition review, which we'll bring you as soon as we can.

The Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition will cost you ?329.99 and will be arriving mid-November.

Motorola Xoom 2 pictures and hands-on

Posted by Chris Hall on November 3, 2011 No comments

A tablet to savour?
Motorola Xoom 2 pictures and hands-on. Tablets, Motorola, Motorola Xoom 2, Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition, Android, Photos 0

Motorola has announced the Motorola Xoom 2, an update to their existing Motorola Xoom, boosting specs and altering the design. We were on hand at the UK launch of the new Android tablet to have a play with the new tablet and bring you our first impressions.?

There are two Xoom 2 tablets: here we are looking at the Xoom 2 10.1-inch model, a direct update to the existing Xoom. We have looked at the 8.2-inch Xoom 2 Media Edition separately.

The original Xoom found itself quickly bettered by rivals such as Asus and Samsung after launch and the Xoom 2 goes some way to correct that. The original was a little fat and heavy, the Xoom 2 is 100g lighter at 599g, with better edge design.

It feels nicer to hold thanks to the sculpting of the edges, which have a softer, more tactile, feel to them than the original. The design is more eye-catching too, fusing that central backplate with the grippy edges. The Xoom 2 measures 253.9 x 173.6 x 8.8mm.

The power/standby button is still on the rear of the tablet, now joined by the volume controls. The speakers sit on the top edge and from what we heard of them they sound pretty respectable.

Like the Sony Tablet S, you'll also find the Xoom 2 equipped with an IR transmitter supporting the Dijit app, so the tablet can be a universal remote.?

The screen of the original Xoom was ok, but wasn't the brightest around. It was already an HD display at 1280 x 800 and Motorola haven't revealed exactly what the resolution of the new tablet is: we can't say we noticed that it was any sharper, but it is IPS, with noticeable punch to colours and better viewing angles.

In terms of software, the Motorola Xoom 2 looks to be running a native Android 3.2 build with minimal customisation. Motorola have committed to an Android 4.0 update within 6-weeks of them getting the code from Google, which should be fairly soon.

With few tweaks to differentiate the Xoom 2 from other Honeycomb tablets, Motorola have turned to pre-installing some apps. These have a leaning towards business, with the likes of Citrix, Fuse Meetings and Quick Office HD, along with Motorola's MotoCast software, which will let you access content on your PC back home after you install the server software.

Internally you'll find the Xoom 2 has a Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 processor clocked at 1.2GHz, bringing a boost to performance, along with 1GB RAM. In our exploratory pokes it all seemed to run smoothly, but this being a pre-production device with only limited content, it's difficult to gauge what the final performance will be like. ?

The Xoom 2 in the UK is being sold as Wi-Fi only, but interestingly the pre-production device we saw today had both a SIM and microSD card slot under a flap on the bottom. A Moto Agent told us that these were disabled, the 3G radio not included, but there could be potential to activate the microSD card slot down the line.

We got the impression that that wasn't on the immediate agenda, so you'll be looking at 16GB of internal storage. Motorola told us they were looking towards cloud solutions via MotoCast, rather than seeing users fill the device with lots of content.

In terms of physical connections you'll get Micro-USB and HDMI and we saw the Xoom 2 connected to a huge Samsung screen and we have to say the quality of the mirroring was very impressive, ideal for showing off photos or movies.

Our time with the Motorola Xoom 2 was brief, but it looks like good solid Honeycomb device. There isn't a huge amount that makes it stand out, but we do like the new design, with those grippy edges and cut-off corners.

The Motorola Xoom 2 will set you back ?379.99. We'll be bringing you a Motorola Xoom 2 review as soon as we can.

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition Officially Announced in the UK (Video)

Posted by James A. on November 3, 2011 1 comment

Everything that was leaked and rumored about the new generation of Xoom tablets was real, it seems… The Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition were both unveiled today in the UK and we have the pics to go with the debut. The Xoom 2 keeps much of the hardware and software of the original Xoom, but tweaks them a bit.

As far as the Xoom 2 Media Edition goes, this is a smaller Xoom 2, with an 8.2 inch display and serving as a cheaper alternative for people who don’t want a full blown slate. Both models will come with dual core 1.2GHz processors, Gorilla Glass displays in the 10.1 inch and 8.2 inch flavor respectively.

The Xoom 2 supports a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, comes with 16GB of internal memory, a 5MP camera with full HD video recording, a 1.3MP videocall camera at the front and 20% better graphics acceleration. Add to that WiFi, Bluetooth and a battery with 10 hours of usage and the product actually sounds decent. Meanwhile, Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition comes with an 8.2 inch IPS LCD display with 178 degree viewing, WiFi, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and Android 3.2 Honeycomb.

The media version is a mere 8.8mm thick and also has HDMI out, digital compass and a microUSB port, but the battery life is only around 6 hours. Carphone Warehouse, Best Buy and PC World should be selling the new products for about $550. And here’s the promo video for both of them:

Motorola commits to Xoom 2 Ice Cream Sandwich update

Posted by Chris Hall on November 3, 2011 No comments

Original Xoom included
Motorola commits to Xoom 2 Ice Cream Sandwich update

Motorola has announced the new Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition tablets in the UK, but neither will be launching with the latest version of Android.

Both of the new tablets will be launching with Android 3.2 Honeycomb when they land on shelves in mid-November. Once again, Motorola has confirmed that an Ice Cream Sandwich update will be coming for these two new devices.

Motorola confirmed to Pocket-lint that iit is committed to a 6-week update cycle, meaning that the update would come 6-weeks after they receive the code for Ice Cream Sandwich from Uncle Goog.

Unfortunately that doesn't nail a date precisely as the Moto Agent we spoke to didn't know when the code would arrive. It does at least put Motorola on record confirming that all Motorola Xoom owners will see the update, whether they have the new Xoom 2 or the older original.

We also noticed that although the Xoom 2 models are launching as Wi-Fi only, the larger 10-inch model has a microSD card slot which won't be enabled. Motorola couldn't confirm whether this would be on retail versions, but did accept that if it did, if could be enabled with a software update in the future.

Motorola recently announced that it would be updating the new RAZR handset to Ice Cream Sandwich at the "start of 2012" and it looks like the two new tablets, and the existing Xoom, will be following a similar timescale.

One thing is for certain - Motorola has committed to a hefty run of Ice Cream Sandwich updates in the coming months.

We know you'll all be furiously checking for updates, so we will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Motorola have been in touch with us to clarify the details on that "6-week" timeframe. It seems it isn't that the update will come within 6-weeks, but that they will provide extra guidance within that time period. They have given us the following clarification:

"Motorola Xoom 2 or Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition will be upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), and we will provide more precise guidance on timing within 6 weeks post public push of ICS by Google."

So it looks like a case of knowing more information within 6-weeks of the Google ICS push.

Tags: Tablets Motorola Xoom 2 Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition Android Ice Cream Sandwich Motorola

Motorola commits to Xoom 2 Ice Cream Sandwich update originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:15:00 +0000

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition now official

Posted by Paul Lamkin on November 3, 2011 No comments

10.1-inch and 8.2-inch tabs landing this month
Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition now official

It's not often that the rumour-mill gets it spot on but in the case of the Motorola Xoom 2 it has. Or rather in the case of the Motorola Xoom 2s, as there's two of the blighters.

First up is the more obvious sequel to the original Xoom, the 10.1-inch Motorola Xoom 2; and then there's the 8.2-inch variant labelled the Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition. No word on screen resolutions as of yet, but we're informed they are of the HD variety. Both displays are Corning Gorilla Glass.

Both devices are Android 3.2 for launch and both run via a 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 1GB of RAM. There's 16GB of onboard storage and both editions boast 5-megapixel cameras on the back with a digital zoom, auto focus, and LED flash, and a 1.3-megapixel ones up front.

The 10.1-incher has "splash-guard and special flattened edges for easier holding" and the Media Edition has "display optimisation for wide viewing angles that are perfect for video".

You'll get 10 hours of heavy web usage with the 10.1 (and a month's standby time) and 6 hours on its little bro'.

Size wise, the bigger Xoom 2 is 253.9 x 173.6 x 8.8 mm and weighs 599g, the little 'un is 139 x 216 x 8.99mm and weighs 386g.

And the rumours of a pre-Christmas release were also right - the Motorola Xoom 2 and the Xoom 2 Media Edition will land in UK shops in mid-November. No word on pricing as of yet, but we're told that the Carphone Warehouse, Best Buy, Dixons, PC World and Currys will be stocking the tabs.

You can register your interest through Motorola or the Carphone Warehouse now.

Update: The pricing for the Motorola Xoom 2's are as follows: Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition - ?329.99, Motorola Xoom 2 - ?379.99.

Tags: Tablets Motorola Xoom 2 Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition Motorola

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition now official originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:49:00 +0000

Motorola Xoom finally sees some Android 3.2 action

Posted by Paul Lamkin on November 1, 2011 No comments

Better late than never
Motorola Xoom finally sees some Android 3.2 action. Tablets, Motorola, Motorola Xoom, Android Honeycomb 0

Forget about the possible Ice Cream Sandwich update for the Motorola Xoom, Xoomers in the UK are still awaiting a promised Honeycomb update to arrive.

Or were rather, as Motorola has started rolling out the Android 3.2 update, a few weeks late on the September arrival that was first mentioned by the company though.

Better late than never, eh?

The update landed in the States back in August although UK Xoom owners already got a lot of the benefits of 3.2 in the US but in 3.1 form, namely the SD card functionality.?

The most exciting addition is the improved compatibility mode for apps, with a double pixel mode on offer. There's also faster rotation between portrait and landscape, docking support, the Motoprint application for quicker and easier printing and enhanced VPN support.

The update is for Wi-Fi only Xooms running Moto's Wi-Fi 6.4.20 and 6.4.20.3 software versions. The new software package will update tablets to software version 6.6.23.

It's an OTA update, so make sure that you've plenty of battery if you click to accept it. It's rolling out for Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK now.

Read

Tags: Tablets Motorola Motorola Xoom Android Honeycomb

Motorola Xoom finally sees some Android 3.2 action originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:16:37 +0000

Motorola Xoom 4G LTE 32GB Now Available on Verizon for $499

Posted by James A. on October 27, 2011 No comments

After some waiting time, the Motorola Xoom 4G LTE is finally available from Verizon with a $499 price tag in the 32GB version. We’re dealing here with a model that practically doesn’t make sense, since at some point you could send your original Xoom in to get upgraded to 4G connectivity.

We remind that if you bought the first Xoom version, Motorola gave you the option of sending it back to get the LTE upgrade. It’s been 8 months since the Xoom launched and barely now Moto introduced the 4G LTE tablet on Verizon. The 32GB unit costs $699 without contract, or $499 with a 2 year Verizon commitment.

The original specs are kept, including the Tegra 2 1GHz dual core CPU, Honeycomb 3.2 and of course some good old LTE. Last month Motorola started accepting orders for the Xoom upgrades, so now everything has come into place. Is it worth the purchase considering we’re so close to the launch of the Xoom 2?

Motorola Xoom 2 Sketch Appears at the FCC?

Posted by James A. on October 25, 2011 1 comment

There’s a mysterious bare sketch that might portray the Motorola Xoom 2 and said drawing has just appeared at the FCC. Test reports claim that we’re dealing with a 1.2GHz device with an unknown number of cores, 1GB of RAM and 16 to 30GB of memory. Xoom 2?

A qHD screen is also in the mix, with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and HDMI out is there too. Wireless N and Bluetooth round up the specs list of what sounds like a normal tablet with Honeycomb. The identity of the model is not known and if it’s a dual core affair with Android 4.0 I’d be highly disappointed.

The only thing that could make a difference here would be the camera, but I highly doubt that. Maybe the CPU is quad core after all, but that would mean it will launch in 2012, since the ASUS Transformer Prime is the only quad core tablet this year… or so say the officials of Nvidia and ASUS.

Motorola Xoom Will Get Android 4.0 First! Comes With the Google Acquisition I guess

Posted by James A. on October 24, 2011 No comments

After Google purchased Motorola Mobility everyone suspected that the Moto device will have priority when the software updates will be released for handsets and tablets. Now, we learn that the Droid RAZR will get Android Ice Cream Sandwich in 2012, while Motorola Xoom will be the first tablet to get the new flavor of Android.

The Xoom was also the first tablet with Honeycomb, so it would be a pity to spoil tradition. No info about release date for now and if you want the info for other tablets, know that HTC will probably offer the Flyer such an update sometime next year, if I were to speculate. They promised to be very open about the update and bring it to their products as soon as possible.

Galaxy Nexus is the absolute first with Android 4.0, followed by confirmations for update of the 2011 Xperia lineup at Sony Ericsson and the Droid RAZR. LG and Samsung are strangely quiet about this, so there must be some math to be done here, since they have a lot of Android models and Samsung quite a bunch of tablets.

Motorola Xoom Set to Receive Android Ice Cream Sandwich Update First?

Posted by James A. on October 19, 2011 No comments

The purchase of Motorola by Google will have some welcome side effects, such as the priority for receiving upgrades when it comes to Android. Thus, now that Ice Cream Sandwich has been announced, some say that the Motorola Xoom will be the first tablet to receive this upgrade.

The info comes from Fudzilla, confirming the priority for this tablet. I guess that the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer will also have some advantages, as it did with the first Honeycomb updates and considering the huge number of units it shipped, the slate should be second or third with the update. We remind you that a couple of months ago Google bought Motorola Mobility for $12 billion, in a hope to also get its patents to back up the Android partners of the search engine giant.

The devices we know so far, as far as Ice Cream Sandwich update goes are Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Sony’s S and P tablets and Lenovo’s devices. None of them has been 100% confirmed, but it’s in Google’s best interest to please the early adopters and get the OS out there.

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Tag Archives: Motorola Xoom

Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition pictures and hands-on

Motorola Xoom 2 pictures and hands-on

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition Officially Announced in the UK (Video)

Motorola commits to Xoom 2 Ice Cream Sandwich update

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition now official

Motorola Xoom finally sees some Android 3.2 action

Motorola Xoom 4G LTE 32GB Now Available on Verizon for $499

Motorola Xoom 2 Sketch Appears at the FCC?

Motorola Xoom Will Get Android 4.0 First! Comes With the Google Acquisition I guess

Motorola Xoom Set to Receive Android Ice Cream Sandwich Update First?

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