Motorola Xoom review

Embedded Apps

I think its a good thing they haven't foisted Twitter and Facebook apps on the device by default. I'd much rather choose my own thank you.

By GhillieDhu on 15 Apr 2011

ipad number twos...

Geez... 22 times on an android tablet review was the ipad mentioned, a non-android tablet....

Yawn....

Maybe time to split the reviews into new sections, Android and iOS devices.

So it's got better connectivity, a bigger screen at a higher resolution and you like the styling, and I don't have to put up with iTunes...

Theoretical but serious question, same device and more default software installed and more available on the marketplace for this type of device - does it get a recommendation then?

By CraigieDD on 15 Apr 2011

A bit late with the iPad 2 review there chaps.

Shame that Motorola device kept trying to hog the spotlight, still, a big thumbs up for the iPad 2.

By Lacrobat on 15 Apr 2011

CraigieDD - of course the review mentions the iPad2 when comparing the features - that is the only tablet at the moment that is a competitor and frankly, it is what we all have been waiting to know - does it stand up to the iPad?

Once other competitor Android3 devices are available, we will expect similar hardware comparisons. What use is a review in a competitive market without a direct feature-by-feature comparison??

Strikes me as yet another of the usual reactions to any mention of Apple that is becoming so prevalent (my usual disclaimer, I am no Apple fanboy). Apple are the direct competitor (lead?) in this market, get over it.

By jefferson30 on 15 Apr 2011

Thanks jefferson30, you've pretty much summed up our feelings perfectly.

It's a tablet. To expect us not to compare the Xoom to the best tablets of any kind is ludicrous. Android tablets aren't in their own little bubble, they're part of a market that only exists due to the huge success of the iPad.

To answer your question, CraigieDD - when Android 3 has the same number of tablet-specific apps as the iPad, and gets a 3.1 update that takes it from 90% finished to 100%, it will be great. But right now it has neither, and that's all we can base our verdict on.

Regards
David Bayon

By DavidBayon on 15 Apr 2011

Like the look of the UI

Obviously the proof of a UI is in the using but I like the look of these screen shots. Four years on and iOS looks barely any different to when it launched. It's nice to see some variety in the marketplace.

By SirRoderickSpode on 15 Apr 2011

Requires 3G connectivity and apparently only available from Carphone Warehouse (please correct me if I'm wrong, I only searched PriceRunner). That kind of kills it in vast swathes of rural England.

I have to go out in my garden to use my mobile and 3G is non-existent outside the towns in this county.

Just thought you ought to have added that to the review ("No Wi-Fi only version".)

The screenshots look very cool, btw, and superior to iOS.

By c6ten on 15 Apr 2011

Wi-Fi / 3G

@c6ten: You're ok, Carphone Warehouse is selling the 3G version on contract, but the Wi-Fi-only model is available for £479.99 from PC World and Currys.

By DavidBayon on 15 Apr 2011

@jefferson30

Who is this "we" btw? You mean the "we" as in actually interested in the ipad2 or the "we" as in not remotely interested in it? The forums are awash with android developers talking about the potential of a tablet running android. Nothing to do to with iOS or an ipad in any way. As mentioned by the reviewer there are a raft of android alternatives. And to say that apple invented the medium is laughable there's been tablets out there for years. Good marketing and sketchy ethics, a good product does not make - the ipad is a fashion item - no more. Already out of four people I know who have bought one, three have there's back on e-bay because they were already starting to gather dust... speaks for itself really.

By CraigieDD on 15 Apr 2011

Thank you for correcting me on the Wi-Fi version. Considering it comes with so much bundled functionality, it is actually price competitive with the iPad (which I guesstimate requires about £40 worth of apps to make it useful).

One further question: Is it possible to install Kindle for Android? What exactly happens when you try to install software not configured for Honeycomb?

By c6ten on 15 Apr 2011

@CraigieDD

If the iPad is no more than a fashion item how is it that I use it every day for email and web-browsing? Besides myself I know another iPad owner and his one is not gathering dust either. Yes I've heard that oft-repeated argument that I could do the same on a £200 netbook, but the user experience of the iPad is in a whole different league. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but must you be so arrogant about it?

By russelkhan on 15 Apr 2011

@CraigieDD

If the iPad is no more than a fashion item how is it that I use it every day for email and web-browsing? Besides myself I know another iPad owner and his one is not gathering dust either. Yes I've heard that oft-repeated argument that I could do the same on a £200 netbook, but the user experience of the iPad is in a whole different league. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but must you be so arrogant about it?

By russelkhan on 15 Apr 2011

Sorry for the double post!

By russelkhan on 15 Apr 2011

Why buy this instead of an iPad2?

I guess that's the million dollar (£480) question that I was hoping to get an answer to..

In real-world usage terms, what precisely does this thing do better than an iPad2?

By ihsan on 16 Apr 2011

"In real-world usage terms, what precisely does this thing do better than an iPad2?"

At this point, it seems, not much! Until more Honeycomb optimised apps start to come out, I don't see how this can hope to match an iPad's functionality. Even then, the Android market will never catch up to the App Store's breadth of apps. However, the Xoom's higher screen resolution should mean a better web-browsing experience. I'm looking forward to trying one out to see if it's something that will tempt me away from my iPad.

By russelkhan on 16 Apr 2011

@russelkhan

Just my point of view matey. And I'm not being arrogant, just stating my experiences. Just for my own clarity, what in your opinion makes the ipad2 better at answering e-mails and browsing the web than a net book?

By CraigieDD on 16 Apr 2011

"In real-world usage terms, what precisely does this thing do better than an iPad2?"

At this point, it seems, not much! Until more Honeycomb optimised apps start to come out, I don't see how this can hope to match an iPad's functionality. Even then, the Android market will never catch up to the App Store's breadth of apps. However, the Xoom's higher screen resolution should mean a better web-browsing experience. I'm looking forward to trying one out to see if it's something that will tempt me away from my iPad.

By russelkhan on 17 Apr 2011

@CraigieDD

Didn't say it was better, just a whole lot more pleasurable! Browsing on a touchscreen is an incredibly tactile and pleasant experience, far superior to using a mouse and keyboard, let alone a touchpad. Frankly, the browsing experience on a netbook doesn't even come close. It's a luxury item for sure, and is not for everybody. Yes the same thing can be achieved by cheaper products, but doesn't that apply to everything? Why do companies like BMW and Mercedes still sell cars when a 15 year old Toyota will also get you to work on time?

By russelkhan on 17 Apr 2011

@russelkhan

Points taken. But I'm still to be convinced that holding a device in one hand - the visible output - while tapping it with another hand is an altogether comfortable experience. I do speak from experience, I have used an ipad.

By CraigieDD on 17 Apr 2011

"In real-world usage terms, what precisely does this thing do better than an iPad2?"

Here's 5.....

1. Flash support (apparently) 2. SD expansion 3. Bluetooth peripheral support 4. widgets (this is the reason I went Desire HD and not iPhone) 5. proper HD resolution

By pveater on 18 Apr 2011

It's a tablet. I'm not fussed about them now. The idea seemed great a year ago but I've got over the hype and bought a new phone instead

By TimoGunt on 18 Apr 2011

I said specifically..

@pveater You're going to need to be more specific. You've merely pointed out means to an end.. I'm more interested in the actual 'ends'..

Ie. Flash to view flash content ie. videos, games, apps. All 3 I've heard Flash on Xoom doesn't do particularly well at when compared to the native apps available on the iPad.

Bluetooth peripherals - like?

Widgets - I feel this is more a case of different ideas/philosophies on what a tablet interfaces should be like. There are cases for and against the use of widgets. So more a case of 'different', rather than necessarily 'better'.

Proper HD resolution - Again this is neither here nor there.. You've got cases for and against the different aspect ratios being suitable for different uses.. Again, it's a matter of preference..

By ihsan on 19 Apr 2011

@pveater Oh but I'll give you the point on SD card support. That's 1 positive the Xoom has, not being able to easily expand memory is painful, but again not without it's downsides.

eg. Memory performance is going to be an important factor and trying to maintain standards would simply be unenforcable & cause fragmentation issues..

By ihsan on 19 Apr 2011

@ishan

Also you're not tied to iTunes. I have both an iPad and a Nexus S so I have some idea of both sides of the fence and transferring files is terribly painstaking on the iPad. With my nexus (or any Android device) you just drag and drop. Also, if you want the same file available to multiple apps, you need multiple copies on an iOS device since there's no way to access any sort of universal file system.

Another irksome thing about the iPad is the tendency of Safari to reload any webpage you look away from and it doesn't seem to load web pages in the background.

By josephlck on 20 Apr 2011

It has a 5mp camera on the front not 8mp. I had a play with one in Currys digital and it seemed more than fast enough for me didn't have the same experience at all as the reviewer with lag etc. I thought this was a rushed review and whilst it's inevitable it is going to be compared with the ipad it does really need to be compared against other android 3 tablets to gauge it's abilities. The positives that set it apart from the ipad are you buy a micro hdmi to run in mirror mode with your tv (any micro hdmi not a specific to the company cable), usb connector (none on the ipad), tabbed browsing and finally flash support which gives you the full web experience. All in all the ipad has some benefits and the android tablets are playing catchup at the moment, but I would like to point out that the apple is not the largest operating system for smart phones out their it's android, and i feel things are going to be very different in the next 12 months

By philglister2 on 21 Apr 2011

Oddly lukewarm conclusion to a generally good review

I bought one of these instead of an iPad and am very pleased with it.

It's absolutely comparable to an iOS experience, but for me the freedom from iTunes and the ability to browse Flash enabled sites, makes the whole thing worth it. Future enabling of the SD card slot will be an added bonus.

The software I've installed has been responsive, and good looking and I'd always prefer to find my own rather than have to clear off a load of stuff I don't want.

I'd expected this to be more of a toy but the power and usability of the productivity apps, has already elevated it to a business tool.

Sketchbook Mobile, Kindle, Quickoffice Pro HD, Tweetdeck, ComiXology all look and feel very good. Knowing that there will be a large number of new Honeycomb specific apps over the next few months also adds an air of excitement.

Also if I remember correctly early adopters of the iPad like my wife had to wait for lots of HD apps to become available and no-one seemed to fussed.

I'd honestly recommend this to anyone who's been waiting for 'the first decent' Android Tablet to come along. I honestly can't see it outliving it's usefulness for some time so the arguably 'steep' price doesn't bother me.

Interestingly I feel like I've got a great deal of bang for my buck, rather than the often felt slight disappointment at getting my hands on a new piece of much anticipated tech.

By blackartz on 21 Apr 2011

It's no competition

Android on Tablets seems to have two key problems:
1) They are too expensive to buy and too cheap to handle.
2) Android is too unfocused.

Apple's strength is that it has chosen to provide immediate gratification and long-term satisfaction for users by specifying good quality materials (literally) in the users' hands. Pick up an ipad (or iphone) and the tactile experience and 'heft' feels just 'right'.

Similarly Apple's UI is very good. A tablet is a relatively simple device, and Apple's implementation of its UI is also simple. Most importantly it is highly consistent. Android, in contrast, lacks cohesion and as reported in reviews, also 'stutters' sometimes.

Android makers need to produce better quality hardware (and at lower price-points) and Google needs to not only get a grip, but impose a house style.

Me, I'm waiting to see if MS can come up with something. WP7 was late to the game, but is excellent. MS Tablet8 could be a killer, especially in the context of the NOKIA \ MS tie-up with NOKIA providing some decent good value hardware.....

By wittgenfrog on 22 Apr 2011

Got mine

I agree with blackartz it seems fine to me and everything i want to do i can. having played with an ipad i feel like this is a case of the tortoise and the rabbit and like i said earlier, give it 12 months and lets see where we're at in terms of apps etc.

By philglister2 on 23 Apr 2011

home pages

Am I the only one who thinks that Android home pages tend to look a mess with different sized apps and widgets dropped on them. I like the idea of Android, but compared to the clean lines and uninformity of iOS, it looks messy (and no I don't have an iPad or a Mac).

By philiplgbennett on 25 Apr 2011