Hey folks,

I've been using and testing a Xoom for a few months now.

It is my personal opinion that Honeycomb is not yet good enough for the mainstream. If you want value in a tablet today, go buy an iPad 2. The Xoom itself is a decent bit of hardware, if a bit heavy, but the software still needs time to mature. The Android Marketplace is not yet loaded with enough Honeycomb apps to make the Xoom shine as a tablet, and the Honeycomb interface is not intuitive enough for your average user.

That said, you may not be a mainstreamer, and may be willing to put up with Honeycomb’s rough edges for the sweet customizability that is Android’s hallmark. If that's the case, I've got some content that you might want to look at while considering this purchase:

• Motorola Xoom and Android 3.0 Overview Video
  
• Motorola Xoom Testing Notes and Benchmarks
  
• Android 3.1 Hands-on Testing: Performance, Browser Quick Controls, Flash Playback, and More on Motorola Xoom
[video]

AZScott wrote:I feel is all relative. It is like the difference between 499 candles vs 500 candles from a mile away.

I am a 3G Xoom owner and somewhat biased but it works very well here in the bright sunshine in Arizona.

I agree. The default settings IS lower than the ipad's, but you can crank it up if you wish. It's an excellent screen, and it's higher resolution than the ipad as well 1280x800 vs. 1024x768.

A really good comparison video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPUdGjTp0E&feature=player_profilepage

coolchris160 wrote:As others have stated, you are very likely to have the same problem with the browser on the Xoom.

Have you checked out the new HP Touchpad?

I was running into the same issue with a site I use for my work. To my surprise, the site actually works with the HP Touchpad's browser. I don't know what browser it is, but HP uses webOS for their interface and it's pretty slick. Depending on where you live, you can probably test the browser out by using the display model at your local retail store. That's what I did.

WebOS also uses Webkit just like Safari, Android, Chrome, etc. If your site is working on the Touchpad it'll probably work on any of these browsers if you change how they identify themselves. The website might actually work fine on all of them, but just claim that it doesn't when it detects that you're using certain browsers.

Websites detect what browser you're using with the "User Agent String". You should be able to find ways to make most browsers tell websites they're IE by doing a Google search.

For example my user agent string right now on Chrome is "Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_7) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/12.0.742.122 Safari/534.30" http://whatsmyuseragent.com/

joebeimon wrote:And also.......????? If it is wifi only, the GPS is useless, since you will be where you will be.... wifi connected only..... right? der!

Ahh my friend, you've forgotten about or have not heard about Google Map's ability to save map data on your device so you can still use GPS when you do not have service, or wifi in this case. I tell ya, Google is slowly taking over the world.

Bootes wrote:Android like basically all mobile devices nowadays uses a Webkit based browser. Webkit was created by Apple so website compatibility will be basically the same as with Safari.

Technically Webkit started out as KHTML, the KDE Web Browser on linux. Later Apple forked the project to create webkit. That's why other companies can freely use the rendering engine in their browser, the Webcore is still LGPL licensed, while the rest of Webkit is released under a BSD-style license.

Since no one else has mentioned it - non-IPS Display on the Xoom. I personally could not buy this since I need a tablet to be able to show off pictures to clients and the display gets washed out on this when setting it on a table compared to any IPS device (iPad, Transformer, etc.).

For my money getting the NEW IN BOX 16 GB Transformer at $399 with the built in and working without having to wait months to get it enabled SD card option is a much better bet. Plus the Transformer has a genuinely useful keyboard dock that takes the battery from 8-9 hour to 15-16 hours.

I looked at all these before buying the Transformer and since it was for business, price wasn't the biggest part of the equation and the Transformer still won out. The new Samsung is prettier but lacks the SD card slot which is pretty much a deal breaker for anyone who likes content. Anyway, if seeing what's on your tablet and being able to share that view with others is important I would at least go to the store and look at an IPS screen (iPad / Transformer / Samsung) and compare it to the Xoom. Flat, on a table, sitting a couple feet in front of you, there is simply no comparison.

theimmc wrote:GPS is independent of wifi or cell signals. It calculates your position from tiny differences in their clocks. No subscription required. Your tax dollars at work.

Also - Google's navigation is supposed to be able to cache the maps (for times when you are out of range of a signal) sometime in the future... personally, though, for navigation, I use my Garmin. Most tablets are too big for the average dashboard.

joebeimon wrote:Thanks for all y'all's remarks... then, my next question is... can this play the iTunes purchases I have made since Apple has changed their proprietary BS. ??? It seems like a nice unit and if I can bill with it.... I hope...it is a go. then my next usage is music. And also.......????? If it is wifi only, the GPS is useless, since you will be where you will be.... wifi connected only..... right? der!

Yes you can play iTunes purchases on it. You'll probably want to use doubleTwist http://www.doubletwist.com/ to sync.

The GPS isn't useless because you could purchase something like Navigon and use it to give you directions in your car. Many apps use it to quickly give you local results. Find restaurants, movie times, etc nearby without having to enter where you are.

In depth Video Review
and overview

People seem most happy about the XOOM's Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system. It's supposed to be tablet optimized software in hopes of finally rivaling the iPad.
In my opinion, I think that the XOOM is a fierce competitor to the iPad.

pinchecat wrote:should i find it concerning that they already have enough refurbished units to feature this on Woot?

I can tell you why there's refurbished Xooms, because a lot of people are returning them, like I did.

But unlike what people think, it's not because of defects (the Xoom is a nice device), it's because:

1) It does NOT have Adobe Flash support. That means it will NOT play video on websites (all sites now playing video in Adobe Flash format).

(From some posts in here, the updates do provide Flash support now, but even when I installed Honeycomb 3.1 my Xoom would not play flash files.)

2) Motorola brought the Xoom to market with a promise that all purchasers could send in the Xoom for a 4G upgrade.

That was three months ago that the promise was made. Motorola has yet to provide the upgrade. There's a question if Motorola intends to fulfill its promise of the free upgrade.

3) Although there's a microSD slot, it does NOT work. There's a clear plastic chip in the slot that says the slot will work on Motorola providing the hardware upgrade. Specifically, it says:

"Replace with MicroSD only after Android system update."

(See below.)

Many people are returning the Xoom on finding out there's no Adobe Flash support, the microSD slot does not work and that Motorola has not announced that the free hardware upgrade is available.

The Xoom did install Honeycomb 3.1 about ten minutes after I connected to the Net via WiFi. The microSD slot did NOT work after the update, despite the microSD-shaped plastic chip said it would work after the update.

I searched the Net to see if there was any info on the microSD slot, now an "issue." I did not find anything.

I don't know about anyone else, but the microSD slot not working, after a supposed update would enable it, well... that does not instill confidence about Motorola ever providing other upgrades.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! I hate you WOOT! I ordered the Viewsonic 10 inch last month and now you get this?!? This is the tablet I tell people to buy who is looking to get one! Oh and What is worse? I havn't even got the Viewsonic yet!

I don't see anything about 3g, or 4g accessibility. I would take that to mean you can only access the internet via wi-fi, correct?

coolchris160 wrote:I doubt you will be able to bill with it (based on your previous comment) since IE doesn't work on the Xoom. But you should be able to try out a live demo unit in a store and see if the browser works with the site you use. If it doesn't work on the Xoom, try the HP Touchpad. I think you will have better luck.

Oh and FYI, I know for sure the Touchpad will play your iTunes music.

---

I uploaded all my (non-DRM'd) iTunes music to both the Amazon and Google, and I can tell you they both play great on the Xoom, the Touchpad and the Playbook. All three will play local mp3's just fine. DRM'd files from anybody will not work obviously.

Oh, why did I buy the Xoom and return it, if I knew about no flash support?

I bought it in a hurry to give to my sister who as ALS and needs a tablet's big keyboard to type with (she has only use of two fingers now).

When I got the Xoom home and opened the box I saw a slip of paper that said "Adobe Flash capable, with an upgrade to be announced" (words to that effect).

At that point I recalled that it was the Xoom that did not have Flash support and that Motorola was going to require people to send in their new Xooms to get the hardware upgrade (for 4G and I thought Flash too). (Thought at the time that that was pretty weird thing, to require people to send in the tablets to get the upgrades, that should have been on the device before it went for sale.)

Sidenote: After I had the device on for about ten minutes, in WiFi mode, a Honeycomb upgrade notice popped up.

I performed the OTA update and 3.1 Honeycomb installed.

After that the flash files would still not play (tried Hulu and YouTube Net site, not the player). And the microSD slot would still not work.

joebeimon wrote:So, I am wondering... I am mostly apple man.... I do medical billing and that can only be done on an IE Browser.... what does this unit browse the web with? This particular billing site only uses IE and not Safari. Comments? I can write this off if it works with IE.

Not quite sure about the browser in OS that ships with the device, but custom Android firmwares such as CyanogenMod will have a setting in the browser for "Custom User Agent" selection. This forces the device's browser to identify itself as a particular type of machine when loading websites.

In your case, you would be able to change the User Agent String to "IE" for the billing site, then change to "iPhone" for other Apple-centric sites. From what I understand, "Dolphin Browser" allows this type of functionality, and is downloadable from the Android Market.

***HOWEVER if the case is that your particular billing site "only works with Internet Explorer" due to an ActiveX Control requirement, you may be hosed because at this point only devices running a desktop version of Windows will have this functionality.

MichaelSF wrote:I can tell you why there's refurbished Xooms, because a lot of people are returning them, like I did.

But unlike what people thing, it's not because of defects (the Xoom is a nice device), it's because:

1) It does NOT have Adobe Flash support. That means it will NOT play video on websites (all sites now playing video in Adobe Flash format).

2) The Xoom cannot play flash files because it needs a chip upgrade. In other words, it does NOT have the hardware to play Adobe Flash, it's NOT a software upgrade that it needs, it's a hardware issue.

3) Motorola brought the Xoom to market with a promise that all purchasers could send in the Xoom for a flash hardware upgrade.

That was three months ago that the promise was made. Motorola has yet to provide the upgrade. There's a question if Motorola intends to fulfill its promise of the free upgrade.

4) Although there's a microSD slot, it does NOT work. There's a clear plastic chip in the slot that says the slot will work on Motorola providing the hardware upgrade.

Many, many people are returning the Xoom on finding out there's no Adobe Flash support, the microSD slot does not work and that Motorola has not announced that the free hardware upgrade is available.

I bought my Xoom on April 1st and I downloaded the flash update like the next day... it play Flash just fine, and has for quite some time. There have been several Flash updates as well.

The MicroSD card does not yet work in the US. The 3.1 Android update that came out in Europe last week or so enabled it for them. The 3.2 update is due out, and believed to have the SD card enabled. But honestly, with 32 GB, I haven't needed it yet.

I believe the upgrade being mentioned here is the 4G upgrade, and since this is the WiFi version, is not relevant. But I don't believe it has been release yet (mines Wifi only so its moot). I use a portable router with a USB stick (or FreeTether on my Pre2) when I need cell access.

jro2020 wrote:Pretty awesome, unless you want to do it in bright light, the xoom seems to have the worst screen, imho, of all the honeycomb tablets.

Interesting you say that, since 95% of the screens you seen in tablets, netbooks, laptops, and yes iPad are all made by the same manufacturer using the same specs and material.

As some of you know, I am very familiar with tablets, having had two articles on tablets published in magazines.

Bottom line on this tablet: Pass on it. There's better tablets on the market.

Here's what I recommend, both that I have (gave one to my sister):

The Acer Iconia A500 (32GB model $490 at CostCo).

The ASUS Transformer (32GB model $450 to $500).

The ACER has great specs, including great connectivity options, e.g., a microUSB port AND a full size USB 2.0 port (to which you can attach USB keyboards, mice, etc.)

The ASUS is kind of like the Lenovo hybrid that did not make it to the U.S. market last year.

The tablet can attach to the optional "dock" that converts the tablet into a netbook of sorts. (When the tablet is attached to the dock it looks like a netbook).

IMHO definitely pass on this Xoom.

FYI - the Honeycomb 3.2 update was released in the US *today*. The SD card slot is now enabled as a result.

Android Central Link

prdamrican wrote:I agree. The default settings IS lower than the ipad's, but you can crank it up if you wish. It's an excellent screen, and it's higher resolution than the ipad as well 1280x800 vs. 1024x768.

A really good comparison video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTPUdGjTp0E&feature=player_profilepage

I also own the Xoom, early adopter. Having the capability to dim the screen to a lower level is nothing but a huge bonus. Everyone always makes a huge deal regarding the thickness of the ipad, however no one ever takes into consideration the 1 inch margin (rim) that surrounds the screen on the iPad compared to the 1/3 inch margin on the xoom. In total you get much more screen for what turns out for the Xoom, to be a smaller footprint than the iPad.

Boweevil wrote:what do you need flash for? everything runs on HTML5 now

Farmville doesn't.... pwned

ginhou wrote:Not quite sure about the browser in OS that ships with the device, but custom Android firmwares such as CyanogenMod will have a setting in the browser for "Custom User Agent" selection. This forces the device's browser to identify itself as a particular type of machine when loading websites.

In your case, you would be able to change the User Agent String to "IE" for the billing site, then change to "iPhone" for other Apple-centric sites. From what I understand, "Dolphin Browser" allows this type of functionality, and is downloadable from the Android Market.

***HOWEVER if the case is that your particular billing site "only works with Internet Explorer" due to an ActiveX Control requirement, you may be hosed because at this point only devices running a desktop version of Windows will have this functionality.

Just to expand a bit...

The built in browser is chrome based. You can set the user agent with the about:debug command to be mobile or desktop, and to act like Android, iPhone, iPad and Froyo-N1.

There are two other browser I have used, Firefox and Opera. I have not checked their UA options.

If it truly need IE, it probable uses ActiveX (like mentioned above) and you are probably out of luck.

You COULD use a remote desktop utility and just use the tablet as a terminal. Otherwise, you will probably need a Windows based tablet. And as much of a Windows person I am, none of them that I have used are good tablets in the iPad sense of the word.

I have a Galaxy Tab 10.1 with Honeycomb 3.1 and love it. The homescreen widgets are a must for me - particularly the Google Calendar widget with fantastic multi-calender integration. Couldn't go back to iOS. As for the included browser, the user agent string can be modified to fool sites into showing the desktop variant, but it is a somewhat awkward process. Dolphin HD browser is a favorite of many, though I prefer the new Firefox 6 beta. There is a plugin which enables changing the user agent in Firefox. Opera Mobile is also a contender which lets you easily change between mobile web site views and desktop views.

One of the reasons iPad users think flash isn't relevant is that Apple tweaked their browser not to show the "flash plugin missing" icon on web pages. Therefore they think they are seeing the entire page even when there is content missing.

gonzoangel0 wrote:you want a 400 dollar comic book reader?

short answer... yes.
Unless u can find me a 10 inch tablet cheaper that doesn't have intense screen glare in sunlight & doesn't lag when turning pages.

I own the 3G version...this is a good deal. XOOM and honeycomb are awesome. More solidly built than the galaxy tab but not as svelte and has a mini-usb port that the Tab does not.

Never had a single issue with mine so I'd chalk refurfbsd up to user returns

larceniii wrote:Farmville doesn't.... pwned

Ok, I just sacrificed my Xoom... and loaded.... Farmville... appears to work fine.

No way am I taking refurbished for only $100 break on this.

I dont' trust refurbished with batteries. Then if you think of those that may have returned them ... Even if they are those that just got them and couldn't afford, do you want to re-use one from someone that couldn't make that decision before the purchased it?

Give me new for $399 and I will buy two.

1) Wrong. Mine (that I'm typing on now) runs all the Flash files I've thrown at it, from online training to Facebook games.

2) Wrong. I had mine for about 2 weeks prior to the Flash software update being automatically pushed out. When it arrived, I clicked Accept, and 20 minutes later, it supported Flash.

3) Wrong. Again, no hardware upgrade is required for Flash support.

4) Correct - the SD slot didn't work when the Xoom was released, but just 12 hours ago, Android 3.2 (a software update) began pushing out to the machines which enables the slot.

Is it a perfect device? No. Show me one that is. However, it is a very good device for many people, and they need to be able to make informed purchasing decisions without being distracted by incorrect information.

MichaelSF wrote:I can tell you why there's refurbished Xooms, because a lot of people are returning them, like I did.

But unlike what people thing, it's not because of defects (the Xoom is a nice device), it's because:

1) It does NOT have Adobe Flash support. That means it will NOT play video on websites (all sites now playing video in Adobe Flash format).

2) The Xoom cannot play flash files because it needs a chip upgrade. In other words, it does NOT have the hardware to play Adobe Flash, it's NOT a software upgrade that it needs, it's a hardware issue.

3) Motorola brought the Xoom to market with a promise that all purchasers could send in the Xoom for a flash hardware upgrade.

That was three months ago that the promise was made. Motorola has yet to provide the upgrade. There's a question if Motorola intends to fulfill its promise of the free upgrade.

4) Although there's a microSD slot, it does NOT work. There's a clear plastic chip in the slot that says the slot will work on Motorola providing the hardware upgrade.

Many, many people are returning the Xoom on finding out there's no Adobe Flash support, the microSD slot does not work and that Motorola has not announced that the free hardware upgrade is available.

therlog wrote:FYI - the Honeycomb 3.2 update was released in the US *today*. The SD card slot is now enabled as a result.

Android Central Link

I heard that, hasn't reached mine yet. I have about worn out the "check for update" button, lol.

Happy to say I have the A500 with 16GB, WiFi only. Only issue is a current bug in Honeycomb 3.1 which can corrupt the DHCP config file. But there are workarounds to this and it doesn't affect you, from my experience, as long as you avoid airplane mode.

As far as my overall opinion of the A500 and HC in general, pretty good. Biggest negative is availability of apps we are all accustomed to seeing on iPhone, but that is improving almost daily. Certainly the price makes up for that inconvenience. 8 on a scale of 10 as it is today.

BrakX wrote:Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!! I hate you WOOT! I ordered the Viewsonic 10 inch last month and now you get this?!? This is the tablet I tell people to buy who is looking to get one! Oh and What is worse? I havn't even got the Viewsonic yet!

God is looking over you. The Viewsonic is better than the Xoom.

IMHO the Xoom is defective. (See my posts.)

dantanion wrote:Interesting you say that, since 95% of the screens you seen in tablets, netbooks, laptops, and yes iPad are all made by the same manufacturer using the same specs and material.

You realize of course that this is completely and totally untrue right? I mean just looking at the different screens you can actually see the obvious differences which in most cases is defined through accurate color reproduction across viewing angles. Maybe you might want to Google something like this before posting next time... "LCD Screen Technologies" could be a place to start.

The Xoom uses a twisted nematic display as opposed to an in-plane switching display found in the iPad and the Transformer. To say all of the screens are the same is just... just wrong. Completely.

Josepdin wrote:Happy to say I have the A500 with 16GB, WiFi only. Only issue is a current bug in Honeycomb 3.1 which can corrupt the DHCP config file. But there are workarounds to this and it doesn't affect you, from my experience, as long as you avoid airplane mode.

As far as my overall opinion of the A500 and HC in general, pretty good. Biggest negative is availability of apps we are all accustomed to seeing on iPhone, but that is improving almost daily. Certainly the price makes up for that inconvenience. 8 on a scale of 10 as it is today.

I have the Acer Iconia 32GB model. It is a fantastic tablet. It's received the highest marks on Amazon and Phone Arena.

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Acer-ICONIA-TAB-A500_id5233/reviews

joebeimon wrote:So, I am wondering... I am mostly apple man.... I do medical billing and that can only be done on an IE Browser.... what does this unit browse the web with? This particular billing site only uses IE and not Safari. Comments? I can write this off if it works with IE.

So I have a question... you say you are mostly an Apple guy... are you using an Apple to do your billing? Because MS stopped updating IE on the Mac years ago... version 6 I think... so if you are using your Mac, you are probably good to go. If you are using a PC with the latest IE, then, probably not...

segovm wrote:You realize of course that this is completely and totally untrue right? I mean just looking at the different screens you can actually see the obvious differences which in most cases is defined through accurate color reproduction across viewing angles. Maybe you might want to Google something like this before posting next time... "LCD Screen Technologies" could be a place to start.

The Xoom uses a twisted nematic display as opposed to an in-plane switching display found in the iPad and the Transformer. To say all of the screens are the same is just... just wrong. Completely.

Although a bit harsh in your tone, thanks for posting this. There is a big difference on the displays used on these tablets.

The iPad display is stunning. (As expected, it's from Apple).

My Transformer and Acer Iconia displays are great too.

The small amount of time I used the Xoom, before returning it (no flash support, microSD slot does not work, even after 3.1 update), the Xoom had good resolution, but the display was only "OK" IMHO.

I recommend that a tablet is a device you need to see in person, side by side with other tablets, so to compare the displays, features and form factory. (E.g., the Acer Iconia is a heavy tablet. Next to the iPad 2, the Acer literally feels like a brick.)

jefferbob wrote:1) Wrong. Mine (that I'm typing on now) runs all the Flash files I've thrown at it, from online training to Facebook games.

2) Wrong. I had mine for about 2 weeks prior to the Flash software update being automatically pushed out. When it arrived, I clicked Accept, and 20 minutes later, it supported Flash.

3) Wrong. Again, no hardware upgrade is required for Flash support.

4) Correct - the SD slot didn't work when the Xoom was released, but just 12 hours ago, Android 3.2 (a software update) began pushing out to the machines which enables the slot.

Is it a perfect device? No. Show me one that is. However, it is a very good device for many people, and they need to be able to make informed purchasing decisions without being distracted by incorrect information.

Well I bought the Xoom last week, it had the slip of paper that said it did NOT play flash files.

I went to Conan O'Brian's site that plays episodes in Flash format. Did NOT play.

I updated OTA to Honeycomb 3.1, went to Conan's site again, would NOT play Flash files.

What I heard was that the machine would have to be sent in to get the 4G and Flash upgrade.

I did not keep up on it, so maybe Motorola came out with a software solution for Flash, but it was NOT on the 3.1 update.

prdamrican wrote:I bought my Xoom on April 1st and I downloaded the flash update like the next day... it play Flash just fine, and has for quite some time. There have been several Flash updates as well.

The MicroSD card does not yet work in the US. The 3.1 Android update that came out in Europe last week or so enabled it for them. The 3.2 update is due out, and believed to have the SD card enabled. But honestly, with 32 GB, I haven't needed it yet.

I believe the upgrade being mentioned here is the 4G upgrade, and since this is the WiFi version, is not relevant. But I don't believe it has been release yet (mines Wifi only so its moot). I use a portable router with a USB stick (or FreeTether on my Pre2) when I need cell access.

I actually kept the paper that came in the box that mentioned the Adobe Flash would be some kind of hardware upgrade. I will look for it.

But you all could be right. The Xoom would have to be sent in to get 4G hardware. But I thought Adobe Flash was going to be included with that upgrade.

In any event, I installed 3.1 via the OTA notice, rebooted, etc. and I still could not play Adobe Flash files.

So between that and the microSD slot not working, I lost interest in the Xoom and returned it.

h4ck wrote:400 bucks for a xoom?! this is madness.

there are 100,000+ sitting in warehouses as they grow obsolete. These will be $300 b4 2012 (if not they will be a total loss).

MichaelSF wrote:God is looking over you. The Viewsonic is better than the Xoom.

IMHO the Xoom is defective. (See my posts.)

Your posts are full of incorrect information. Exactly what magazines published your articles. Before you go talking down the xoom, you might want to become familiar with the facts.

Does it support FB chat? My SO refuses to touch the iPad because there's no chat on FB, and that's like having no oxygen in the air, apparently.