Wow!!! Motorola Xoooooom.......

[BigSlam123b]

I picked up my WiFi Motorola Xoom last nite and wow! This thing blows the iPad 2 out of the water. It has everything that the iPad 2 offers plus Flash, the full Chrome Browser (Not a mobile browser), flash for the camera, usb port, expandable storage (Card slot), HDMI out, etc.. It is super fast, lighter than the iPad 2, and a full charge will last about 13 hours of hardcore nonstop use. It has full Market access, Android Honeycomb 3.0, and HD video. You name it and it meets and exceeds everything ther iPad 2 has to offer.

 

[Baz]

Are Flash and the memory card slot fully functional on yours? It wasn't on the original release builds.

I had pretty much decided on getting a Xoom, until I learned of the ASUS EEE Pad Transformer on the "iPad 1 or 2" thread.

Let us know how the Xoom works out for you. Enjoy!

 

[BigSlam123b]

I do not have an iPad 2 but I have a friend who has one and I have played with his extensively. Flash is now fully enabled. The card slot is still disabled but Motorola promises it will be fully functional on a soon to be released update. I have been playing with it for a few days now and I love it even more. I used it pretty nonstop yesterday from 7am until 1130 pm and the battery still had a 40% charge. I absolutely love it!

 

[Baz]

I do not have an iPad 2 but I have a friend who has one and I have played with his extensively. Flash is now fully enabled. The card slot is still disabled but Motorola promises it will be fully functional on a soon to be released update. I have been playing with it for a few days now and I love it even more. I used it pretty nonstop yesterday from 7am until 1130 pm and the battery still had a 40% charge. I absolutely love it!

Glad you're liking it so much. I'm still considering it, but want to wait to see final build reviews of the Transformer and then choose between the two. I'm thinking you can't go wrong with either.

That said, I could easily see me geeking out and getting a Xoom this weekend.

 

[Tilted]

I picked up my WiFi Motorola Xoom last nite and wow! This thing blows the iPad 2 out of the water. It has everything that the iPad 2 offers plus Flash, the full Chrome Browser (Not a mobile browser), flash for the camera, usb port, expandable storage (Card slot), HDMI out, etc.. It is super fast, lighter than the iPad 2, and a full charge will last about 13 hours of hardcore nonstop use. It has full Market access, Android Honeycomb 3.0, and HD video. You name it and it meets and exceeds everything ther iPad 2 has to offer.

As I've said before, to each his own - so whatever someone is happy with, more power to them. But, with Apple, it's not about a list of features - it's about how well it does what it does. How intuitive it is. The reality that it just works - wel. How efficient it is. The fit and finish. The smoothness. The physical sturdiness. The elegance of the industrial design. All sorts of things that are hard to quantify, but easy to appreciate - the things that really matter when the hands meet the devices.

That said, some of what you've said is just not true. The Xoom is not lighter than the iPad 2 and it certainly is not thinner - it is significantly heavier and thicker. It does not claim to have 13 hours of hardcore nonstop use battery life, it claims the same battery life that the iPad 2 does - and my experience has been that the iPad 2 consistently lives up to its claimed battery life. As for Flash capability, I've pointed out elsewhere - I've been able to watch all of the Flash videos I've tried to watch on my iPad. You can also (with an attachment) output HDMI from an iPad - or you can stream HD video out from it.

When it comes to one of the most important aspects of the consideration - the respective apps stores - it is way behind the Apple iPad. Apple's store has tons more tablet apps. The reality is that, for multiple reasons, developers prefer developing apps for the Apple platform. The Android store may eventually catch up, but it is way behind now. Can you stream Netflix on an Android device? No, because Netflix has yet to be able to sort out DRM issues for the more open (and varied) Android operating system. Can you get apps like this, that exploit the marvelous, content-delivery-revolutionizing nature of this new product class, on Android? No. Is the ops system and apps environment anywhere near as secure for Android? No, and that's why some enterprise customers are hesitant about large scale adoption of Android devices. The number of tablet-designed, high quality games - many free - on the Apps Store is amazing. The reality is that the Xoom does not have everything - all the functionality - that the iPad 2 has and more, just as the iPad 2 doesn't have everything that the Xoom has and more.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Android platform provides a nice alternative to Apple. And, I wouldn't try to talk someone that is happy with those devices out of their happiness. But, the notion that the Xoom is way better than the iPad, in any non-personal-preference sense, is preposterous. What is currently being done with the iPad - e.g. uses that vertical markets are finding for it - is well ahead of similar Android devices.

How many iPads do you think will be sold this year and how many Xooms do you think will be sold? Exactly. I've yet to place my iPad in the hands of someone, and let them play with it for a while, and not have them say 'Wow', or something similar.

 

[BigSlam123b]

As I've said before, to each his own - so whatever someone is happy with, more power to them. But, with Apple, it's not about a list of features - it's about how well it does what it does. How intuitive it is. The reality that it just works - wel. How efficient it is. The fit and finish. The smoothness. The physical sturdiness. The elegance of the industrial design. All sorts of things that are hard to quantify, but easy to appreciate - the things that really matter when the hands meet the devices.

That said, some of what you've said is just not true. The Xoom is not lighter than the iPad 2 and it certainly is not thinner - it is significantly heavier and thicker. It does not claim to have 13 hours of hardcore nonstop use battery life, it claims the same battery life that the iPad 2 does - and my experience has been that the iPad 2 consistently lives up to its claimed battery life. As for Flash capability, I've pointed out elsewhere - I've been able to watch all of the Flash videos I've tried to watch on my iPad. You can also (with an attachment) output HDMI from an iPad - or you can stream HD video out from it.

When it comes to one of the most important aspects of the consideration - the respective apps stores - it is way behind the Apple iPad. Apple's store has tons more tablet apps. The reality is that, for multiple reasons, developers prefer developing apps for the Apple platform. The Android store may eventually catch up, but it is way behind now. Can you stream Netflix on an Android device? No, because Netflix has yet to be able to sort out DRM issues for the more open (and varied) Android operating system. Can you get apps like this, that exploit the marvelous, content-delivery-revolutionizing nature of this new product class, on Android? No. Is the ops system and apps environment anywhere near as secure for Android? No, and that's why some enterprise customers are hesitant about large scale adoption of Android devices. The number of tablet-designed, high quality games - many free - on the Apps Store is amazing. The reality is that the Xoom does not have everything - all the functionality - that the iPad 2 has and more, just as the iPad 2 doesn't have everything that the Xoom has and more.

Don't get me wrong, I think the Android platform provides a nice alternative to Apple. And, I wouldn't try to talk someone that is happy with those devices out of their happiness. But, the notion that the Xoom is way better than the iPad, in any non-personal-preference sense, is preposterous. What is currently being done with the iPad - e.g. uses that vertical markets are finding for it - is well ahead of similar Android devices.

How many iPads do you think will be sold this year and how many Xooms do you think will be sold? Exactly. I've yet to place my iPad in the hands of someone, and let them play with it for a while, and not have them say 'Wow', or something similar.

I never claimed it to be thinner. IT is actually a bit thicker but its curved ergonomic design makes it quite comfortable. I never said what the Xoom claims for battery life, I am only reporting my experience. You can't compare tablet apps stores, as the Ipad has been around for over a year. Compare it to the iOS Ipad store when the ipad was 1st released. As far as your other complaints, they really don't pertain to me. I don't waste my money on Netflix, I am not a TW subscriber, I don't own a business that is looking to integrate tablets, The iPad is nice but I already have an iPod so I dont need an xtra large one. You are just the typical Apple fanboy who can't accept the fact that there is actual competition out there. Go back to your Apple forums and just let me enjoy my moment.

 

[Baz]

I wouldn't categorize Tilted as an Apple fanboy, unless he wants to state otherwise.


Hmmmmm. I think, in order for the forum community to get an accurate assessment of iPad/Xoom comparisons, I should borrow Tilted's iPad and BigSlam's Xoom for a couple weeks. I will then post my honest, non-ownership-biased opinions on both.

I will do this free of charge, as a public service to the rest of the forumites.

 

[Tilted]

I never claimed it to be thinner. IT is actually a bit thicker but its curved ergonomic design makes it quite comfortable. I never said what the Xoom claims for battery life, I am only reporting my experience. You can't compare tablet apps stores, as the Ipad has been around for over a year. Compare it to the iOS Ipad store when the ipad was 1st released. As far as your other complaints, they really don't pertain to me. I don't waste my money on Netflix, I am not a TW subscriber, I don't own a business that is looking to integrate tablets, The iPad is nice but I already have an iPod so I dont need an xtra large one. You are just the typical Apple fanboy who can't accept the fact that there is actual competition out there. Go back to your Apple forums and just let me enjoy my moment.

That's my point though, the notion that the Xoom is way better than the iPad in an objective sense is crazy. It depends on the particular person and what resonates with them - which is what I've said many times. As for there being competition, I'm completely aware of that - I've commented on it. I've posted about other (i.e. non-Apple) devices for the benefit of people that might be interested. I've not been one to dismiss them out of hand as sucky (for lack of a better term ).

As to me being an Apple fanboy - that's also ridiculous. I just happen to be someone that follows this industry - reads lots of information, analysis, reviews, reports - listens to people that follow it for a living commenting on about it on a (seemingly) daily basis. My interest in it goes beyond purely as a consumer. I don't recall visiting Apple forums much and I've certainly never posted on them.

I'm happy you are happy with your Xoom - something I (implicitly) indicated. I hope you enjoy it for a very long time. I'm not the kind that needs others to be unhappy in order to be happy myself, or needs other things to be bad (or even less good) in order for the things I have to be good. You are the one that asserted that the Xoom blows the iPad out of the water. It doesn't - not by market measures, not by reviews, and not by people's (aggregate) reactions. I could go into great depth arguing specific reasons why the iPad is better - but I don't, because there's no need to. There's no need to establish that it is better. When it comes to that, beyond my own personal use of iPads, the only measure I really care about is how profitable a product it is for Apple (as well as how profitable, e.g., the Xoom is for Motorola Mobility) - because it is based on measures like that that I might make (stock) buy and sell decisions. I'm glad to hear others' opinions about Apple and non-Apple devices alike, because that anecdotal information just adds to the database based on which (hopefully good) decisions will be made.

 

[hvp05]

I like the stats on the Xoom, but I have not physically handled one. I did play around on an iPad 1 and thought it was neat. I will get a tablet eventually, but will need to do a lot more research prior.

A computer store near me is holding a contest where the grand prize is an iPad. If I win, I suppose my decision will be made.

 

[Tilted]

I wouldn't categorize Tilted as an Apple fanboy, unless he wants to state otherwise.

I'm not - as recently as about 4 years ago, you'd have found that I really didn't like Apple products. I used to have the same kinds of criticisms and avoided them for much the same reasons as others express. At some point I had been given an Apple laptop, but I didn't use it a ton - and I still wasn't much interested in buying Apple products (for myself). Then the iPad was introduced, and I recognized the significance of the device - and the new class of devices it was going give rise to. I recognized that the potential was transformative and close to limitless. It turns out that my expectations were right - they are being realized at an incredible (and surprising even to me) pace. These devices are game changers in a very large way - something that will become more and more apparent over the coming years. And, it just so happens that the iPad is an incredible device within this new market - and an incredibly successful one. As some in the industry have commented, all things considered, it may represent the most successful new product introduction ever.

Hmmmmm. I think, in order for the forum community to get an accurate assessment of iPad/Xoom comparisons, I should borrow Tilted's iPad and BigSlam's Xoom for a couple weeks. I will then post my honest, non-ownership-biased opinions on both.

I will do this free of charge, as a public service to the rest of the forumites.

I'm not sure I could function for a full day without my iPad, let alone for a couple weeks.

 

[Baz]

I'm not - as recently as about 4 years ago, you'd have found that I really didn't like Apple products.
....


I'm not sure I could function for a full day without my iPad, let alone for a couple weeks.

Yeah, I remember you posting in a thread when the first iPad came out, quite impressed by it. I think I commented with a "Meh, I'd rather have a netbook"-type response. Thing is, my 10 year-old laptap is still alive and kicking, so I could never justify buying a netbook.

Now I want a tablet.

And that ASUS Transformer looks to be the perfect combination, if you buy the keyboard that goes with it. If I can hold out long enough for that to come out, I'll probably get it. (Provided the reviews don't dissapoint.)

Then we can have an iPad-vs-Xoom-vs-Transformer flame war!

 

[Tilted]

Yeah, I remember you posting in a thread when the first iPad came out, quite impressed by it. I think I commented with a "Meh, I'd rather have a netbook"-type response. Thing is, my 10 year-old laptap is still alive and kicking, so I could never justify buying a netbook.

Now I want a tablet.

And that ASUS Transformer looks to be the perfect combination, if you buy the keyboard that goes with it. If I can hold out long enough for that to come out, I'll probably get it. (Provided the reviews don't dissapoint.)

Then we can have a iPad-vs-Xoom-vs-Transformer flame war!

No flame war. To each his own. But none of us should pretend that one device exceeds everything another does in every way. As I said, I could go on at length about the differences between the platforms when it comes to apps and app development (differences that are not just a function of one being newer, but rather the result of fundamentally different choices between the platform creators/maintainers). Or, I could go on about all manner of things that, to me, make the iPad easily superior.

But, who cares? People can decide for themselves what feels comfortable to them. What features are game breakers. What makes them happy. What emblem they want on the tailgate. Unless we are talking about measurable market realities and aggregate response, it's mostly all subjective.

It wouldn't much matter to me if 2/3rds of people decided they had to have a Xoom (or Playbook or Galaxy Tab) rather than an iPad, unless that change caught me off-guard and dramatically affected valuations before I had time to adjust to those changing valuations myself. That, I will bet, won't happen - I pay attention to what's going on with the numbers.

Oh, and I didn't mention the keyboard dock option available for the iPad (in that other thread), because I didn't want to add any more complexity to the consideration for you (especially considering I'm pretty sure you know you want an Android device).

 

[Baz]

No flame war. To each his own.
...
Oh, and I didn't mention the keyboard dock option available for the iPad (in that other thread), because I didn't want to add any more complexity to the consideration for you (especially considering I'm pretty sure you know you want an Android device).

I knew about Apple's keyboard dock, as well as Xoom's.

As far as I can tell, what makes the Transformer's different is that it's not just an external keyboard. When you connect the tablet to the keyboard hinge, you can fold it closed, just like a laptop. The keyboard section has another battery in it, which doubles the battery life of the pad. Also has additional connections, including one for an additional screen so you can work dual-monitors, which I currently do on my desktop at home.

But if all I wanted was the "pad" part, I probably would have the Xoom right now. I like the idea of a hybrid, but understand why others wouldn't.

It will be interesting how crowded the Android tablet market gets. I wouldn't think there will be more than a couple true "difference makers", with the Xoom being one of them. But I have no doubt Apple's head start assures them market dominance, as was the case with the iPod.

 

[ylexot]

Is the ops system and apps environment anywhere near as secure for Android? No, and that's why some enterprise customers are hesitant about large scale adoption of Android devices.

I have to throw on this one.
Google's Chrome and Android survive hack attacks; Apple falters - International Business Times

Google emerged strong at the annual Pwn2Own hacking contest with its web browser, Chrome, and its software stack for mobile devices, Android, surviving hack attacks while Safari and Internet Explorer 8 and Apple's iPhone 4 faltered in the browsers category, and Apple's iPhone 4 and RIM's BlackBerry Torch 9800 succumbed in the smartphones class.

Real Men Use Android: Special Forces Favor Google Phone | Danger Room | Wired.com

 

[Tilted]

I have to throw on this one.
Google's Chrome and Android survive hack attacks; Apple falters - International Business Times


Real Men Use Android: Special Forces Favor Google Phone | Danger Room | Wired.com

As to the Macs, I wasn't talking about OS, I was talking about iOS - iPhones and iPads. So, when they say iPhones "succumbed to hackers", what do they mean? How did they get the hacks into the phone and the ops? Or did they even?

I suspect they were dealing with jail broken phones or, at the very least, not with apps being loaded onto the phone via the Apps Store. Of course, if the owner of a phone wants it to be able to be hacked, and allows it to be compromised, it can be. That's not what I'm talking about. Apple pre-examines and pre-approves the Apps in the App Store that can then be loaded onto iPhones. It is possible that they miss something from time to time and have to address it after the fact, but it is much less likely than with Google's store and policies.

Here: App Security - CNBC Video

Now, you may disagree with the industry analysts or reporters in that particular clip (though the initial news they were reporting actually came originally from Google), but they reflect the consensus views I hear discussed by analysts and enterprise customers. The openness of the Android platform - the ops system and the store(s) - is a concern for enterprise. RIM is still alive today (though who knows if it will survive in the current market) because enterprise customers believe it to offer a more secure platform.

 

[ylexot]

As to the Macs, I wasn't talking about OS, I was talking about iOS - iPhones and iPads. So, when they say iPhones "succumbed to hackers", what do they mean? How did they get the hacks into the phone and the ops? Or did they even?

I suspect they were dealing with jail broken phones or, at the very least, not with apps being loaded onto the phone via the Apps Store. Of course, if the owner of a phone wants it to be able to be hacked, and allows it to be compromised, it can be. That's not what I'm talking about. Apple pre-examines and pre-approves the Apps in the App Store that can then be loaded onto iPhones. It is possible that they miss something from time to time and have to address it after the fact, but it is much less likely than with Google's store and policies.

Here: App Security - CNBC Video

Now, you may disagree with the industry analysts or reporters in that particular clip (though the initial news they were reporting actually came originally from Google), but they reflect the consensus views I hear discussed by analysts and enterprise customers. The openness of the Android platform - the ops system and the store(s) - is a concern for enterprise. RIM is still alive today (though who knows if it will survive in the current market) because enterprise customers believe it to offer a more secure platform.

Well, if you're happy living in the Apple nanny state, good for you. Personally, I like freedom.

Sure, it's dangerous if you're an idiot and load every app from China that comes your way. Otherwise, it is very secure.

 

[Tilted]

Well, if you're happy living in the Apple nanny state, good for you. Personally, I like freedom.

Sure, it's dangerous if you're an idiot and load every app from China that comes your way. Otherwise, it is very secure.

I used to kinda feel that way about Apple stuff - the nanny state thing (though I'd likely never have put it that way). You'd have a hard time finding someone who places a higher priority on the sensation of freedom than I do (it's, without question, my Achille's Heel). But, I've never sensed any sort of limitation of freedom since I've been using their devices. Quite to the contrary, it's felt supremely liberating. And the conceptual and policy choices that Apple has made (and the inherent hardware consistency) have made their platform more appealing to a lot of developers - which means more and better options sooner. Sometimes less really does result in more, and in Apple's case that's been my experience.

The DRM issue is a perfect example - the more controlled environment of the Apple platform has resulted in its users having access to (liberating) functionality that isn't available through Android devices yet. For me, the streaming Netflix would, in and of itself, be a decision maker between devices. I hate feeling tied to a spot or computer monitor or particular TV just because I decided I wanted to watch a movie or TV episode - and watching them on an iPad (or most tablets I would think) is usually a better experience because the images are (effectively) bigger. Hopefully, DirecTV will eventually expand its own App to include streaming functionality like the Time Warner Cable App does. But, I digress...

I've yet to have someone show me something they could do on an Android device that made me go 'dang it!', but I'm sure it will happen soon (at the moment, I live with an Android user - they'll find something eventually ). Will it be enough to outweigh all of the advantages I perceive from my iPad or iPhone? I doubt it, but you never know. At any rate, as I've said, to each his own. Whatever makes people happy makes me happy (well, unless we're talking about what's her name).



EDIT: For the record, I agree with the voices in that video clip I linked that think this issue - unless it gets out of hand - won't really hurt Android when it comes to consumers (as distinguished from corporate customers). Most of us are used to dealing with security issues when it comes to using computer-type devices.

 

[ylexot]

I'll just say that the pendulum is swinging. Android is now the dominant force and it is only getting bigger.

 

[Tilted]

I'll just say that the pendulum is swinging. Android is now the dominant force and it is only getting bigger.

It has a dominant share of the smartphone market. It would be astonishing if it didn't - it includes many different devices, from different manufacturers, with lower available price points, and Apple withheld itself from most of the phone market until just recently. (*) But, it isn't the dominant force (unless, you just mean to refer to market share).

And as for the tablet market, it most certainly isn't the dominant force (even if you do just mean to refer to market share). Even with all the different Android tablet offerings, I'd bet more iPads are sold this year than Android tablets.


(*) On a side note, that would have been a mistake if all Apple cared about was market share. But, I now realize just how business savvy it was, considering market share isn't what Apple primarily cares about - making money for its owners is. What its basic AT&T first then Verizon strategy allowed it to do was force the two largest providers in the phone/data service market to pay a high price (in the form of subsidies for customers) for the right to sell the must-have (for providers, not customers) aspirational product in the market. In effect, Apple was able to make its phones cheaper for customers, while still maintaining significant profitability, by forcing AT&T and Verizon to pick up large portions of the tab. It would not have been able to do that if it had let everyone have the iPhone from the beginning. Customers win, Apple wins, AT&T and Verizon lose (but, not really, because it is made up for in the big picture).

Sorry for rambling on, but this - the market, not personal preference side of things - is the kind of stuff I love talking about.

 

[BigSlam123b]

I used to kinda feel that way about Apple stuff - the nanny state thing (though I'd likely never have put it that way). You'd have a hard time finding someone who places a higher priority on the sensation of freedom than I do (it's, without question, my Achille's Heel). But, I've never sensed any sort of limitation of freedom since I've been using their devices. Quite to the contrary, it's felt supremely liberating. And the conceptual and policy choices that Apple has made (and the inherent hardware consistency) have made their platform more appealing to a lot of developers - which means more and better options sooner. Sometimes less really does result in more, and in Apple's case that's been my experience.

The DRM issue is a perfect example - the more controlled environment of the Apple platform has resulted in its users having access to (liberating) functionality that isn't available through Android devices yet. For me, the streaming Netflix would, in and of itself, be a decision maker between devices. I hate feeling tied to a spot or computer monitor or particular TV just because I decided I wanted to watch a movie or TV episode - and watching them on an iPad (or most tablets I would think) is usually a better experience because the images are (effectively) bigger. Hopefully, DirecTV will eventually expand its own App to include streaming functionality like the Time Warner Cable App does. But, I digress...

I've yet to have someone show me something they could do on an Android device that made me go 'dang it!', but I'm sure it will happen soon (at the moment, I live with an Android user - they'll find something eventually ). Will it be enough to outweigh all of the advantages I perceive from my iPad or iPhone? I doubt it, but you never know. At any rate, as I've said, to each his own. Whatever makes people happy makes me happy (well, unless we're talking about what's her name).



EDIT: For the record, I agree with the voices in that video clip I linked that think this issue - unless it gets out of hand - won't really hurt Android when it comes to consumers (as distinguished from corporate customers). Most of us are used to dealing with security issues when it comes to using computer-type devices.

The TW app gets less and less impressive each day, as more and more networks force the cable provider to remove their networks from the app. Pretty soon it's just going to be a pretty TV Guide app.