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Post by Captain Gary on Feb 5, 2011 15:58:08 GMT -6
Anybody looking to get a XOOM as soon as they are available? It looks to be a 'Google Experience' device, which means a vanilla version of Android and (hopefully) an unlocked boot loader.
After watching Google's presentation on Adroid 3.0 on Wednesday, this thing is MUCH better than the current Ipad. I don't think the Ipad2 will be any better and you will have much more flexibility.
I am obsessed...
Gary
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 5, 2011 16:28:27 GMT -6
Howard Stern has been talking about this on his radio show for the past week. He recently got an Android phone and while he likes it, he's a little disappointed with the battery life. There is somewhat promising info on the Xoom's battery life at this Web site, however ... techdraginfo.blogspot.com/2011/01/motorola-xoom-first-android-30-tablet.htmlFWIW, some video propaganda, just in case anyone is interested ... |
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Post by Captain Gary on Feb 5, 2011 16:35:04 GMT -6
My original Droid gives me 10-12 hours of 'ordinary' use. If I am hitting the video hard, maybe 4 hours.
I've heard reports of 8-12 hours battery life for the XOOM watching video.
Do you have and Ipad?
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 5, 2011 16:37:37 GMT -6
I've horsed around with a few tablets. Don't really see what I'd need one for. But then again, sometimes the coolest toys are the ones that you figure out later you can't live without. I would definitely get an Android tablet over an Apple one, just for the open source. Zagg is giving away an iPad a day. I'm entering every day, because if I win I'll sell it on eBay and get myself the latest Android phone. Check it out: www.zagg.com/community/contest.php |
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Post by Captain Gary on Feb 5, 2011 16:48:05 GMT -6
I have been thinking about getting a laptop or netbook for using on the boat.
I really liked your netbook, and I think the XOOM is the next step up from that. There is a bluetooth keyboard you can use if you want, but take a look at this video for the Swiftkey virtual keyboard on the XOOM.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 5, 2011 16:54:17 GMT -6
If I was using a device that large, I'd want a full (virtual) keyboard that I can touch-type on, not just use my thumbs. I can type pretty fast on an iPad keyboard that way.
I still use my netbook all the time. But I don't see any linux ones in the stores any more; now they're all Windows. The "instant on" of the linux OS is one of my favorite things about mine.
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 5, 2011 17:34:59 GMT -6
According to the Verizon Wireless Web site, they are now selling an HP Mini 110–3098NR Netbook for only $40 if you get the 2 year contract (this includes a $100 online discount).
Since my cell phone carrier is Verizon, this might be worth my while for the next couple years until the tablet technology shakes out.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 5, 2011 19:04:32 GMT -6
Make sure you try it out physically before you commit. The difference between a usable keyboard and an unusable one is very small, physically. Also depends on the size of your hands.
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Post by Captain Gary on Feb 5, 2011 19:48:59 GMT -6
Jake
It also has a full size virtual keyboard for touch typing. The new Swift keyboard with it's predictive text is supposed to be faster.
I hope to find out and report back here in the next few weeks!
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Feb 5, 2011 21:36:21 GMT -6
Make sure you try it out physically before you commit. The difference between a usable keyboard and an unusable one is very small, physically. Also depends on the size of your hands. If I planned on putting a lot of mileage on it over the next two years, I would tend to agree with you -- but since I plan to use it only occasionally (at least in the short term) just to try out the experience to get a sense of my comfort level with it, I'm willing to spend only $40 for the opportunity. |
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Post by Robin Hood on Feb 6, 2011 2:24:44 GMT -6
I picked up one of these for $199 bucks at the Microsoft store in the Mall of America about 3 weeks ago, I spent the extra $20 bucks to upgrade it to Win 7 Home Premium and $30 bucks for a 2GB memory chip for it, so total invested is about $250 bucks and this thing ROCKS!! I bought it mostly for use on airplanes and to be ultra portable, my main "laptop" is anything but... it has a 18.4" screen. My biggest bitch with the "pad" style machines is lack of USB ports on most of them and NO KEYBOARD. With the netbooks you get a full blown computer in about the same amount of space... |
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Post by Chicago Jake on Feb 26, 2011 11:40:04 GMT -6
So Gary, how you liking the XOOM? Ready to give us a review?
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 3, 2011 9:27:01 GMT -6
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 3, 2011 22:54:51 GMT -6
From your link: This is just plain wrong. My Android phone displays email with black text a white background. Somebody at Infoworld is high! |
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Post by ♥ COVID-19♥ on Mar 4, 2011 10:13:33 GMT -6
I don't have an Android smartphone *yet* (my next upgrade), so I can't comment -- maybe it's specific to certain models or OS versions.
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Post by Captain Gary on Mar 6, 2011 6:11:18 GMT -6
Been pretty busy at work, so not as much time to play as I would like
The good:
Fast, even with many apps open at once, absolutely no lag.
The display is very sharp.
Virtual keyboard is easy to type on.
Wi-fi connects incredibly fast compared to Droid.
Almost every app I've tried works even if not 'designed' for a tablet.
Honeycomb OS, very cool and easy to use. Very few force closes.
Unlocked bootloader, like Original Droid.
Tabbed browser is just like desktop, can sync bookmarks with Chrome.
Chat and video chat using Google Talk is great (even works on 3G, unlike I pad).
The not so good:
The screen is very reflective (glare)
Mini USB, for some reason I thought standard size.
Charging plug seems flimsy.
Cannot charge while in the portfolio case.
No Google Voice yet.
No swift keyboard yet.
No flash yet.
Overall I am very happy, I believe it is a very good replacement for a net book, and more. I do not have the BT keyboard, but have not heard any negatives about it.
Compared to the recently announced Ipad2, it has more memory, hdmi (which is very nice), a barometer, and perhaps a better CPU. If trying to decide between the two, it probably comes down to OS preference.
Sorry for not posting earlier, we are in our annual refueling. All I do is work, eat and sleep.
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Post by Chicago Jake on Mar 6, 2011 10:03:34 GMT -6
Thanks for the update! Sounds way cool.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jun 2, 2011 13:11:50 GMT -6
Well picked up one of the XOOM tablets so far it is pretty cool, the browsing is quite fast and the screen quality is top notch. I have had it now for less than 24 hours but can see the possibilities. Becky uses the shit outta her iPod touch and I was thinking about moving her to strictly some type of pad for her computing needs, as she pretty much only does email and web browsing, so she may end up with this thing before it is all over with.
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