Motorola Xoom: The First Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) Tablet

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[citation][nom]winterblade[/nom]You are the one comparing "experiences" across platforms, I was just saying to do it more thoroughly. Maybe it is because I haven't used enough the iPad but I really found Honeycomb browser much more comfortable. Perhaps it's just that I'm not sold to Apple paradigm, but I rather have a tablet that feels like a simplified desktops environment that one that feels like a smartphone on steroids. I really see your point about not being able to OBJECTIVELY compare browser performance, but I also think that is easy to see that Honeycomb browser is much more akin to a PC full browser and that Safari in iOS it's more related to a smartphone one, and I think many users will value that "experience" just as other many user will value the "apple experience".[/citation]

Our benchmark (see page 13, real-world benchmarks) covers the discrete performance aspect, but I separated usability into the software side of the discussion.

We'll make improvements to our benchmarks as time goes on, as there are other Honeycomb devices to test. This is the beginning of our tablet testing not the end.
 
The memory bandwidth seems to seriously interfere with the performance of the tablet. It's like building a Corvette with a gas tank capacity of 1 cup. I can't believe Nvidia, with all their experience in video cards, would put out this ship with only a single channel memory controller, and that even limited to 667MHz. Do other Tegra 2 based tablets have such limited 3D performance as this one?
 
So if you're opposed to apple based on principles, then wait for kal-el? Is that about right for those who want to jump in swimming with the smartphone/tablet arena with zero experience using them?
 
[citation][nom]acku[/nom]Not true at all.http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/10 [...] ndroid-3-15/10 3.1 was available to Verizon Xoom owners. Xoom was first 3.0 and first 3.1[/citation]

You are correct with Verizon. I was noting the wifi ones since they are available to all regardless of a phone plan.
 


I'm brand agnostic, so I would never purposely avoid a brand on principle. That said, Kal-El is poised to be impressive. But who's to say that iPad 3 can't use Tegra 3? Then what would you do? 😛



Other Tegra 2 Tablets will be similar.... It's not going to be like the Transformer offers 2x the performance. That's not how clock speeds work as you know. I would also point out that the Xoom is slightly downclocked to 600MHz.

I would actually argue the bigger hurdle is third-party app support. All the hardware in the world won't do any good if there are no programs to run. Amiga anyone? :)
 
Other Tegra 2 Tablets will be similar.... It's not going to be like the Transformer offers 2x the performance. That's not how clock speeds work as you know. I would also point out that the Xoom is slightly downclocked to 600MHz.
Click to expand...

Well, I was kinda hoping maybe Motorola had just used one channel to save power, and the Galaxy Tab would do better because it used two memory channels. If the chip itself was designed with only one memory channel, then that's Nvidia's big mistake. Ah well, that's life. I'll still get my Galaxy Tab 10.1 next week regardless of this issue. It just means I probably won't be running any 3D apps on it.
 


If you want to game I seriously recommend RipTide and GOF2. Hands down two of the best games I've seen on tablets in general. Still missing AA, but that may need wait for next gen hardware.
 

I wouldn't say that. Considering Android tablets are the combined work of three companies (tablet manufacturer, Google, and Nvidia), it's pretty good given they're cooperatively trying to play catch up with Apple. There's nothing that prevents them from being successful. It's really just an issue of getting third-party apps out there, offering an attractive product, and selling at a good price.

If the companies are just out to hop on the tablet hype to make money, that sort of vision won't carry through to success. Apple truly believes in the evolution of the tablet.

Privately, several Android tablet PMs have commented that their company doesn't know what it will take to compete with iPad. Some are just making tablets to take advantage of the hype. There are others who really believe tablets are the next big thing. If the passion for tablets is there, it's going to carry though into the product.
 
the asus eee pad transformer had android 3.1 before the xoom did.
 
[citation][nom]spackjarrow[/nom]the asus eee pad transformer had android 3.1 before the xoom did.[/citation]
I'm not sure where you're getting your information. But Asus admits it got 3.1 late. That's straight from their PR team. Look up the engadget link I posted and wiki entries. Xoom got 3.0 AND 3.1 first.
 
I compared the iPad2 to the Xoom and found the Xoom to be more responsive, more feature-rich and more fun to play with. The gadgets alone were enough to make me want to buy one. The iPad layout is tired and old while the Android OS is ever evolving and improving. I also like how the Android has a huge community of people developing, testing, playing and tweaking. I know that if I want it, it's out there. At this point of the game, anyone would be very foolish to choose an iOS device. I'm just sayin.

http://bit.ly/dI3hcF
 
[citation][nom]jtt283[/nom]For the same amount of money, I can get a Brazos-based notebook with superior performance, more applications, a real keyboard, expandability, full interoperability with my PC, and the only thing I'll give up is some battery life (but apparently not all that much); oh, and an extra camera. I just don't see a tablet in my future.[/citation]

UH... a tablet is not a notebook. With that in mind, I can put an ATI 6980 into my desktop computer... Nyaaaaaaaaaa, lets see you do that with your little notebook.
Let see the $400~700 notebooks have a power-up time of 1 second... or carrying it around for 8 hours a day at conventions! 1.5lb device vs. my 6lb Thinkpad? Besides having to set it down on a table, etc... and 2hrs vs. 8hrs of usage.

Do you own an MP3 player? What for? Your desktop computer can hold far more songs.

Oh hey... my iPad1 was used yesterday for a potential client. I got the contract, which means it'll pay for my future iPad3. I will make an extra $28,000 for a year.

My Handy ThinkPad was used a bit as well, but it didn't do as much. And looking at the video on this article showing the response during rotations, UGH! And its just flips the screen. Its nice to watch the iPad actually rotate the image into position... its slick.

Tablets are tools or toys, depending on your needs.
 
[citation][nom]Steven1984[/nom]I compared the iPad2 to the Xoom and found the Xoom to be more responsive, more feature-rich and more fun to play with. The gadgets alone were enough to make me want to buy one. The iPad layout is tired and old while the Android OS is ever evolving and improving. At this point of the game, anyone would be very foolish to choose an iOS device. I'm just sayin.[/citation]

Yep... you're just saying. But no, in some areas, the XOOM is faster, in others - it is not. Its a great looking device. But in all honesty, I'd choose an iPad1 over a Xoom at this point, oh yeah - *I already DID*.

Didn't you see the video of the screen rotating taking so long? On my ancient single-core iPad, its far faster and smoother and professional looking.

Android has more flexibility to involve (good point), but as of now with product cycles that are less than a year, its not a big deal. When Android has surpassed iOS is functionality and support - then I'll take a serious look at an Android tablet. But wait, iOS5 is coming out in a few months... and theres plenty of time to add even more features before its release. The other thing that'll keep most android tablets off my list is the 16x9 aspect ratio, it not what I want. If I want to watch a lot of MOVIES, I'd use my TV... theres portable LCD-DVD players that costs $120~200.

I'll admit I have the TWC & HBO video streaming tool on my iPad.... :) I've only used them 1-2 times.

But theres is also MS... but I think Windows8 with Tablet interface is be way too bloated for a tablet device. The hardware will cost more since it needs more CPU power, more memory, more storage... this adds price. Seriously, I'm not seeing the need of a desktop OS in a portable 9"~10" media player.

I personally hate iTunes and its only running to talk to my iPad. So Android's way to xfer files is something I would prefer... but the other problems with Android don't make it worth it. For the people who can barely handle a computer, its iTunes that makes their world Sync and hold together.

iPad *WILL* always dominate until Android gains the features that Apple has today. And that is *WHY* the other companies don't "Get it".

iPad works because:
Hardware : Looks good, feels good... but its rumored that the HOME button will be removed in the next version, ugh.

Price : most other tablets costs the same price.
iTunes : Manages all their media... on their desktop / notebook / phone / tablet
Apps : Quality and Quantity
Accessories : Check out the number of 3rd party crap you can get for iProducts.

The other FUNNY thing about HP, RIM, Android, etc tablet products is their problem is releasing half-baked products. Sure Apple's iPad didn't have full features when it launched... but it only took months. And to enter a market with a HALF-BAKED product that sells at the same price as an established product is why they look silly and sales are ho-hum. Then those customers remember the BAD reviews and problems for that product... forever.

By all means, I want Google to compete with Apple. And I'm not impressed with Apple using court-room to battle it out.
 
Only NOW a Xoom review? Anyway, would like to see the better Honeycombs versus the iPad, as the Xoom is largely regarded as a mediocre Android incarnation, so the comparison is of little use to me. Appreciate it if you could do a comparison with a more competent Honeycomb tablet.

Thanks
 
Good and detailed article though I would agree with the notion that picking the Xoom to represent the best of what android tablets and honeycomb have to offer, probably won't leave the readers with an accurate impression. The Xoom really is very mediocre when compared to the Iconia and Asus Transfomer, specially seeing as it's (or was) priced higher than either and performed worse according to reviewers that tested all three. Also, there are more Asus Transformers out there than any other Android tablet, so it might have been better at representing what android tablets have to offer.

It would be awesome if you guys could do a review on the Asus Transformer now that you have the testing methodology figured out.
 
The killer application...
First of all, this is not a spoof... think about it.
Man on business trip in hotel room and needs to shave before going to a meeting.
Wife wants to know he's looking his best.
Man wants to succeed... impress at meeting.
Here's the application idea: shaving mirror.
Firstly, facial and feature recognition is run at home with a good shave using the built-in camera to register features etc. so a good shave is identifiable.
Man shaves and wants to check he's got all the stray hairs - even behind his jaw-bone, under his chin - the usual.
Takes tablet out and starts shaving mirror which works in any orientation...
Scans face while looking in left/right reversed camera feed. Tablet processes shave and highlights unshaven areas and stray hairs in green cross-hairs / highlights & bullseyes.
Man removes stray hairs, device SMSes wife that shave concurs with QC - wife smses "good luck" back with a big kiss.
Fun? definitely useful...
 
I'm more impressed by what the Chinese are building. They're now building some decent budget/performance tablets like the Venus tablet or for budget buyers the Dropad A8/Herotab C8.
 
Shaving Mirror APP.... you know, that is a GOOD idea! I have my head, and there have been times when I *missed a spot* behind the ears or in the back.

Wouldn't be as good for the current iPad2 with its sub-megapixel cameras, but with modern Android and iPad3, it could be very useful.

But wait... I don't think an App is actually needed for that (on an iPad) since its just taking a picture :)
 
I have an Acer A500 which uses the same hardware and Android OS as the Xoom.

You can't inherently get on a PEAP network at the office with Honeycomb. It won't run Netflix, Skype, HBO2GO, or Xfinity. Earlier versions of Android (ie froyo) in combination with certain mobile devices will run Netflix, but not Honeycomb. Earlier versions of Android also allowed you to get on the Enterprise network out of the box. What gives?

I can't stand Apple, but the iPad can do all of those things. Google seems to be losing the support of the big players from a software standpoint.
 
Asus Transformer beats Xoom hands down....if you are looking for an Android tablet..you need to buy either Asus TF or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Xoom is simply out of question..crappy screen, heavy, expensive, poor support...shame on Motorola
 
[citation][nom]ubercake[/nom]I have an Acer A500 which uses the same hardware and Android OS as the Xoom.You can't inherently get on a PEAP network at the office with Honeycomb. It won't run Netflix, Skype, HBO2GO, or Xfinity. Earlier versions of Android (ie froyo) in combination with certain mobile devices will run Netflix, but not Honeycomb. Earlier versions of Android also allowed you to get on the Enterprise network out of the box. What gives?I can't stand Apple, but the iPad can do all of those things. Google seems to be losing the support of the big players from a software standpoint.[/citation]
That's funny... I have Skype on my Acer Iconia A500. I don't use it too often, but I have it.
 
Yes! Android 3.2 is available for Xoom. With working SD slot, much better video performance, smooth operation.
 
I was right about the memory bandwidth. My new Galaxy Tab 10.1 is about half as fast as my Captivate in 3D benchmarks, but the screen is twice as big, so the Tegra 2 is no better than the Hummingbird for 3D. Obviously, since it has two cores, it's better in other ways, but the video chip in the Tegra 2 is crippled due to the memory bandwidth.
 
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