Is the Xoom Incomplete and Overpriced? I Hope You Try It Out and Decide for Yourself!

[Craig Horlacher]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/incomplete-and-overpriced-how-motorola-doomed-the-xoom/' target='_blank'>http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...oomed-the-xoom/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"When Apple products come to market, they are complete. They have a full set of included applications that make them useful, and the key parts that folks want are finished. They also come out at premium prices, which typically set the most you can charge for a similar product."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/adt/auto/1302489283.usr309.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>The quote above gives you an idea of what to expect.&nbsp; I've used the Xoom and I think it's a great device.&nbsp; I think it has better hardware than any iPad.&nbsp; Some of that is fact like screen resolution, cameras, and RAM, and some of that like size is personal preference.&nbsp; I've used the iPad and I don't think its OS is very well designed for a tablet.&nbsp; Bad notifications, no widgets, and requiring another machine with iTunes for some functions are just a few critical flaws in my opinion.&nbsp; Anyway, if you're thinking of buying a Xoom it may be good to read a viewpoint from an Apple die-hard to see what an iPad user thinks of it.&nbsp; That may give you a more balanced view of the Xoom and fewer surprises.&nbsp; I don't agree with his point on sales numbers at all.&nbsp; I don't agree with a number of his points actually but I'll let you read it for yourself.&nbsp; You can let me know what you think!</p>

[Macguy59]

requiring another machine with iTunes for some functions are just a few critical flaws in my opinion.

And how do you think most people will get their media on the Xoom ? iTunes is in serious need of a UI makeover but it's still a relatively easy and useful tool to get your media onto your iOS device. Even Android devices need some type of sync solution. Speaking of which it's ridiculous that the Android tabs I've used do not include one.

[Michael Knutson]

I'm a very technical, experienced computer developer and user (Windows, Linux, Solaris and Mac OS X), and I was very disappointed in the Xoom in this first iteration. It has better physical specs, is a bit larger, but my overall feeling is "so what." The UI is not particularly user-friendly, browsing is mediocre (and stunk at simple CSS rendering), and it just is not "fun" like the iPad. And, it DOES feel incomplete. BTW, I like to think that I'm vendor-neutral, as I've been doing some UI testing with Google, so I don't have any special biases or axes to grind. I found the Galaxy Tab much closer to what I'd hope for in an Android tablet (even w/o Honeycomb). IMHO the Xoom was rushed to the market too soon ... witness the lack of SD support and the initial lack of Flash support ...

As for the price, the vendors sell for what the market will pay - witness some of the lesser tablets like Archos ...

Everyone jokes about the PlayBook, but RIM really has something with the QNX "guts" of the system.

I hope that an Android tablet tablet emerges that will challenge Apple top raise their game - we all benefit. But, it isn't the Xoom in this version.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

It's Motorola, what'd you expect.

- Still Bitter

[Craig Horlacher]

Even Android devices need some type of sync solution. Speaking of which it's ridiculous that the Android tabs I've used do not include one.
Thank you for your comments.

I used Windows Mobile devices for about 13 years before switching to Android. They all required syncing with a pc for installing most apps, updates, and some other functionality. I never saw a problem with that and thought I would miss not having any desktop sync functionality. Now that I have an Android phone I would never want to go back. I just think it's backwards for a mobile device to require a host machine of any kind for any primary fucntions like backups, installations, upgrades, or file transfers.

If you have media in iTunes that's one thing...but I was referring to iTunes being required for some file transfers and upgrades.

I like being able to use standard bluetooth file transfers, dlna, and standard network drives to transfer files. I also love having my contacts and calendar sync with the cloud!

[Craig Horlacher]

I was very disappointed in the Xoom in this first iteration. It has better physical specs, is a bit larger, but my overall feeling is "so what." The UI is not particularly user-friendly, browsing is mediocre (and stunk at simple CSS rendering), and it just is not "fun" like the iPad. And, it DOES feel incomplete.

Everyone jokes about the PlayBook, but RIM really has something with the QNX "guts" of the system.

Thanks for your comments Michael. I do think it would have been wise for Moto to wait a little before releasing Xoom. They have corrected some of the bugs and it does have Flash now. I just don't see why the iPad is so fun. I've used it a little and all it does it run apps. I have heard of problems with the Xoom browser but there are at least two others available on the Xoom that I think are very good, Firefox and Dolphin HD. The funny thing about the browser is the two people I know who have a Xoom really like the built int browser.

I'll be testing a PlayBook for work very soon. I'll probably do a review of it here. I agree that it has a lot of potential. It has great hardware and QNX should be rock solid. It ill be interesting to see how the UI is and just how well it works. I also think the HP TouchPad has a lot of potential but I wonder how much longer we'll have to wait for it.

[Craig Horlacher]

It's Motorola, what'd you expect.
You know I actually would have thought that Google might have stepped in and requested they waited to release the Xoom out of fear it would make Honeycomb look bad. Moto and Google were obviously working together very closely on it.

I do like moto hardware in general over the last year or so and I never got my thigh burned by one of their devices - though I always carry my Droid X in my left front pocket. ;)

[Macguy59]

If you have media in iTunes that's one thing...but I was referring to iTunes being required for some file transfers and upgrades.

I like being able to use standard bluetooth file transfers, dlna, and standard network drives to transfer files. I also love having my contacts and calendar sync with the cloud!


My contacts and calendar are also in the "cloud". Since a fair number of would be buyers will want their pictures and home videos on it ? How do you prepose they do that ? What if they want to rent a movie ? Media consumption on an Android device (for non techie users) is still much too involved