Motorola XOOM Tablet: The Ipad's Competition
The First Android Tablet is Here
If you're in the market for a tablet then you're probably focused on the iPad 2. The iPad 2 is definitely not a bad product, and if you got one I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed, but it isn't necessarily the best product out there. If you're serious about your research when making a major purchase, then you're definitely going to want to take a look at the Motorola XOOM tablet. The XOOM is the Android equivalent to the iPad 2, and while they both do many of the same things there are some key differences which may help make your decision easier.
What can you do with the XOOM? You can view photos and watch movies, but what doesn't do that these days. Using the Google eBooks application, it becomes an e-reader with over 3 million books at your disposal. Using Google Talk you can face-to-face video chat with friends and family. If you want the conversation to be private, Bluetooth compatibility allows you to plug in a headset. Capture 720p HD video and share it easily using the 5MP rear-facing camera with flash. Google Maps 5.0 can show you maps in 3D; a building outline view makes finding what you're looking for simple and effective.
The XOOM boasts a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of low power DDR2 RAM. It has 32GB of internal memory, and will be able to support a microSD card of up to 32GB in the future after downloading a software update. The dedicated graphics processing unit means it produces high quality video and gaming experiences. The Motorola XOOM supports Adobe Flash 10 Player (which the iPad 2 does not) and HTML5. There is a 3.5mm connector which lets you plug into speakers or headphones. The included USB adapter lets you sync media from your computer. The XOOM also fully charges in only 3.5 hours.
The 10.1" HD widescreen is the same size screen as the iPad 2. If a bigger screen is what you want, you could always connect the XOOM to an HDTV via an HDMI cable using a feature called Mirror Mode. The HD widescreen provides rich graphics which make for a great gaming experience. Combine this with the built-in gyroscope and accelerometer and you can make the most out of the unit's mobility by swinging and tilting your way to victory.
The Motorola XOOM tablet uses Android software, the first designed specifically for a tablet. Navigation is done using a multi-finger user interface also similar to the iPad 2. The home screen is customizable so you can view all home screens at once, scroll through widgets and shortcuts, and stack them without having to select anything immediately. Whatever you think is the most effective way to sort and go through your stuff is the way that you can set it up. One of the differences between the iPad 2 and the Motorola XOOM which I feel works to the XOOM's favor is tabbed browsing. Tabbed browsing is when you have multiple browsing windows open with the ability to switch between them without minimizing one window and maximizing another. This is a feature many computer browsers have had for a while, and is something many people are used to. Being able to do this on a tablet is a welcome addition. Security while browsing the Internet is also imperative, which is why the XOOM offers an Incognito mode. Incognito mode provides private browsing so your data is safe. In addition, all data is encrypted for added security, regardless of whether you're in Incognito mode or not.
So how do you connect to the Internet? The Motorola XOOM comes in 2 basic models. The first is the Wi-Fi model; the second comes with 3G hardware built in. The 3G hardware allows you to purchase a data plan and access the 3G network. Additionally, in the future the 3G hardware will be upgradable to access the 4G LTE network. If you want, you can use a Mobile Hotspot which lets you share a Wi-Fi network with up to 5 other device.
As usual, let's talk about accessories. At this point there is a standard dock, speaker HD dock, and a Motorola Wireless Keyboard. That is, as well as a few different cases to protect the XOOM. The standard dock props up the XOOM at an appropriate viewing angle. Use it to watch movies or display photos while simultaneously charging the unit. If you want to enhance your viewing experience, the speaker HD dock has 2 speakers attached to the dock which provide HD sound in addition to charging the unit and propping it up at a viewing angle. The Motorola Wireless Keyboard is -- a wireless keyboard. If you need to get some real work done, or just prefer the feel of a physical keyboard to the multi-touch interface, then this accessory is the one for you.
What can you do with the XOOM? You can view photos and watch movies, but what doesn't do that these days. Using the Google eBooks application, it becomes an e-reader with over 3 million books at your disposal. Using Google Talk you can face-to-face video chat with friends and family. If you want the conversation to be private, Bluetooth compatibility allows you to plug in a headset. Capture 720p HD video and share it easily using the 5MP rear-facing camera with flash. Google Maps 5.0 can show you maps in 3D; a building outline view makes finding what you're looking for simple and effective.
The XOOM boasts a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of low power DDR2 RAM. It has 32GB of internal memory, and will be able to support a microSD card of up to 32GB in the future after downloading a software update. The dedicated graphics processing unit means it produces high quality video and gaming experiences. The Motorola XOOM supports Adobe Flash 10 Player (which the iPad 2 does not) and HTML5. There is a 3.5mm connector which lets you plug into speakers or headphones. The included USB adapter lets you sync media from your computer. The XOOM also fully charges in only 3.5 hours.
The 10.1" HD widescreen is the same size screen as the iPad 2. If a bigger screen is what you want, you could always connect the XOOM to an HDTV via an HDMI cable using a feature called Mirror Mode. The HD widescreen provides rich graphics which make for a great gaming experience. Combine this with the built-in gyroscope and accelerometer and you can make the most out of the unit's mobility by swinging and tilting your way to victory.
The Motorola XOOM tablet uses Android software, the first designed specifically for a tablet. Navigation is done using a multi-finger user interface also similar to the iPad 2. The home screen is customizable so you can view all home screens at once, scroll through widgets and shortcuts, and stack them without having to select anything immediately. Whatever you think is the most effective way to sort and go through your stuff is the way that you can set it up. One of the differences between the iPad 2 and the Motorola XOOM which I feel works to the XOOM's favor is tabbed browsing. Tabbed browsing is when you have multiple browsing windows open with the ability to switch between them without minimizing one window and maximizing another. This is a feature many computer browsers have had for a while, and is something many people are used to. Being able to do this on a tablet is a welcome addition. Security while browsing the Internet is also imperative, which is why the XOOM offers an Incognito mode. Incognito mode provides private browsing so your data is safe. In addition, all data is encrypted for added security, regardless of whether you're in Incognito mode or not.
So how do you connect to the Internet? The Motorola XOOM comes in 2 basic models. The first is the Wi-Fi model; the second comes with 3G hardware built in. The 3G hardware allows you to purchase a data plan and access the 3G network. Additionally, in the future the 3G hardware will be upgradable to access the 4G LTE network. If you want, you can use a Mobile Hotspot which lets you share a Wi-Fi network with up to 5 other device.
As usual, let's talk about accessories. At this point there is a standard dock, speaker HD dock, and a Motorola Wireless Keyboard. That is, as well as a few different cases to protect the XOOM. The standard dock props up the XOOM at an appropriate viewing angle. Use it to watch movies or display photos while simultaneously charging the unit. If you want to enhance your viewing experience, the speaker HD dock has 2 speakers attached to the dock which provide HD sound in addition to charging the unit and propping it up at a viewing angle. The Motorola Wireless Keyboard is -- a wireless keyboard. If you need to get some real work done, or just prefer the feel of a physical keyboard to the multi-touch interface, then this accessory is the one for you.
Sources:
http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Consumers/xoom-android-tablet/us-en/overview.html
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION:
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
The Contributor has no connection to nor was paid by the brand or product described in this content.
Published by Matt Schirano
Matt Schirano is a freelance writer living in Glendale, Arizona. He has a Bachelor's in Journalism and a Masters in Library Science. View profile
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