As you know, we’ve already got one gigantic guide that covers essentially every little tidbit of information you’ll want to know at this moment in Android history on both the Motorola XOOM tablet and Android 3.0 Honeycomb. But NOW what you want to see is this actual tablet coming out of the box with every little tiny detail of the process documented so you know if the box alone will be enough to make you want to buy this device. I’ll tell you right now that the box is good, but the real treasure is, believe it or not, the tablet itself. Have an intense look at the XOOM with your pals at Android Community.
The XOOM tablet we’ve received here is a reviewers tablet, therefor there may be slight differences between this one and the one you’ll end up getting from the store, but for the most part, you can count on the following as being the same as your first day with the device. Of course you’ll be flipping out ripping the box to shreds as fast as you can move, but similarities will be there and here. We’ve received the XOOM in a small cardboard box containing a bubble-wrapped store-shelf box containing the actual unit. Also inside the box are a couple cords, one for power and one for transferring items to and from your CPU, and some instructions manuals PLUS the little code we’ll be able to use to upgrade to 4G speeds in the near future.
[vms adfdaf0e8d4cc25129f9]
We’ve had our hands on both this exact model tablet AND the European silver-metal-backed version, but nothing, nothing compare to actually opening the box having a singular giant screen staring back at you, especially when you know what’s inside, and that the fact that you’ve got one means you’re amongst an elite group of Android lovers that are rolling with the most advanced bit of A-tech in the world right now (at least, those bits not covered by a Wizard of OZ type cloak that we don’t know about.) The tablet we’ve got here turned on directly to the lock screen, which we’re not sure was because we’ve got a review unit or because that’s what’ll happen for everyone who pops open their brand new box.
Once the screen is unlocked, the screens move back and forth like they need no breaking in whatsoever. Like this hardware was made for the operating system, and vice versa. The hardware is the same as we held whilst hanging out with several crews at Mobile World Congress 2011 as well as the Google Android Honeycomb special event a few weeks ago. It’s a black metal bottom back with an approximately 2-inch top section in softer black plastic. The bottom section feels, from what we can tell, exactly the same as the Euro version, as they’re more than likely made of exactly the same metal save for the color.
The obvious intention for this tablet is for it to be held landscape mode with both the Motorola and Verizon logos sitting in their most readable positions (as they sit above the screen in the right and left corners.) On the left of the device are two tiny buttons that allow you to turn up or down the volume in a universal manner. Below the tablet you’ll find the several plugs for all your favorite cords! There’s a MicroUSB port, HDMI port, a couple of metal plates, and the Charger Port.
The metal plates act as an additional place where whatever dock you might be using can send power to the device. The other ways you can send power to the XOOM are that teeny tiny power port which you can jam your provided power plug in, and you can use the MicroUSB port to do the same thing, provided your computer has power to provide or you’ve got a USB to power plug converter.
On the top of the device you’ll find a standard headphone jack. This is, we think, an odd place for such a jack, but then again, we’re unaware of a place that a headphone jack looks perfect or acts in an ideal manner. On the front of the device you’ve obviously got the giant 10.1-inch HD Widescreen Display, but also a tiny light at the bottom indicating that the device is charging and a front facing camera and WebCam Indicator light to show you when the camera is running.
On the back of the device you’ll find two speakers, one in either of the top two corners. The strip in the upper right contains one of these speakers along with all the other fun tidbits the back of the device has to offer. There’s the Rear Camera Lens, the Camera Flash, the Speaker, and the Power/Lock key which can turn the devices on or wake it up, put the display to sleep, or hold to turn the device off.
At the top of the device is a tray which contains a double-dose of not-yet-active cards which will be available in the near future. One of these is the microSD card which they say will be active once a software upgrade is sent out which will allow you to use a size of up to 32GB. The other card slot will later support a Verizon 4G LTE SIM card which again, will be provided at some date we’re unsure of. In these slots currently are a couple of plastic dummy cards which are just cute as a button.
We’ll be providing you with a full review of this mighty warrior very soon. Until then, enjoy this album of close-up photos from every angle:
[device id=264]
Well, nice unboxing. To bad Motorola doesn’t want it to succeed. 🙁
why’s that?
they have chosen to release the tablet before the major selling feature gets released.
Honeycomb?
Well, nice unboxing. To bad Motorola doesn’t want it to succeed. 🙁
looks ugly ..
looks ugly ..
so’s your face.
Priced to fail, nothing ABSOLUTELY nothing further needs to be said.
everything is priced to fail when its released. buy this tablet on contract and you’ve already got it for $600, a much more advanced tablet than the ipad 1 for only $100 more than the lowest quality version. id contend that its priced correctly for the market we’re in.
Wouldn’t that be more like $1080 after you factor in the cost of the contract which makes it more than $100 than the top end Ipad 1 with Ipad 2 looming. I want to cop a Xoom bad but I can’t help but think by the time they get 4G, flash and the micro-SD fixed it may be obsolete or at least closer to being obsolete than innovative.
in two weeks? that’s pretty harsh.
in two weeks? that’s pretty harsh.
ditto that… just got mine and your numbers are low – $750 as added to existing contract, 50/mo for 5gb 3g, no monthly contracts are allowed to be sold at Verizon stores at this time even though they advertease it. Maybe later, but not this day. Kinda greedy and openly so. can change to 20/mo for 2gigs after 2 months so i am told. This could be a regional pricing thing, since i hear other $$ numbers from others.
That 599 come-on is new contract new verizon customers only.
I just can’t see it being very popular at these prices. Most average consumers already have a contract for their phone and aren’t likely to want to have another one for a tablet when you consider that the tablet market is so new most people still are not completely sure why then even need a tablet yet. Those same consumers are also going to look at this thing then look at the iPad and notice that it looks very much like the iPad which is the tablet an average person is going to be familiar with out of all the tablets. Still trying to get used to the idea of needing a tablet it will come down to price and originality. And right now it looks like the competitors are copiers with higher prices. Had the price been the same as the iPad 1 or a bit lower and it might have a chance….ignoring the fact that the non techie consumer might also shy away from the competition due to their immature app stores. After the iPad 2 is announced I don’t think the Xoom will be getting very much attention in the mainstream media i.e. fox news, cnn, bbc, le monde, el
for you!
ipad2 will NOT have this, Xoom has:
———-
* specially created for tablet computers sleek and smooth Android Honeycomb
* FLASH and non-restricted web
* 16:10 HD screen
* real tabbed full-featured browser
* FLASH (video, games, creative websites, apps and other)
* deeply integrated Google Services, Google Books (million of books) and huge cloud Google Music soon:)
* NO restrictions, NO iTunes, NO proprietary connectors
* black aluminum case
* USB, HDMI, 5 sensors, simultaneous GPS, SD, business security technologies
* RenderScript graphics engine! You just need to seet in action;)
$799 without any contracts or $599 on a contract.
———–
Where is price fail? What do you compare?? 16Gb scaled ios pad to Honeycomb Xoom???
Dude, you’re a crazy troll. Go to your Master and ask him for better arguments.
No need for name calling, though you did make me laugh when you called me a crazy troll. When you examine the finer details as you have, some of your points are valid, I will concede that. My point is the average consumer won’t care to look that closely….I’m not going to discuss this further, I don’t think it matters at this point. It will become very clear how this will turn out in the next few weeks/months. To be clear, I’m saying that the dozens of competing tablets that are due out this year will not impress consumers in significant numbers. This looks very similar to the DAP days when iPod competitors all slowly faded away despite having some very compelling reasons why they should have succeeded. Remember that?
I’m not a closed minded troll, I promise…I’m just giving my opinion based on extensive observation and many years of experience trading stock in the tech sector. What your about to witness is a repeat similar to iPod world domination, the bulk of average consumers didn’t care then about all the great reasons why the iPods competition was better and with the iPad they won’t care now! If the competitors priced their products significantly lower than the iPad then maybe consumers would take notice but that is unlikely to happen since it looks like Apple moved to take control of around 60% of the worlds supply of display substrates = Xoom and all the rest priced to fail.
But at the end of the day you can buy what you like, all that is important is that it does what you want and that you are happy with it….buy your Xoom or Playbook or whatever but just know that the only stock worth owning is AAPL.
for you!
ipad2 will NOT have this, Xoom has:
———-
* specially created for tablet computers sleek and smooth Android Honeycomb
* FLASH and non-restricted web
* 16:10 HD screen
* real tabbed full-featured browser
* FLASH (video, games, creative websites, apps and other)
* deeply integrated Google Services, Google Books (million of books) and huge cloud Google Music soon:)
* NO restrictions, NO iTunes, NO proprietary connectors
* black aluminum case
* USB, HDMI, 5 sensors, simultaneous GPS, SD, business security technologies
* RenderScript graphics engine! You just need to seet in action;)
$799 without any contracts or $599 on a contract.
———–
Where is price fail? What do you compare?? 16Gb scaled ios pad to Honeycomb Xoom???
Dude, you’re a crazy troll. Go to your Master and ask him for better arguments.
I will never understand why people think that other people want to watch a video of you opening a box. If you are going to take time to publish a video; please dinclude some useful content.
people want to see what its going to be like to open the box when they get the box. have you not been to the internet before? this is a regular thing.
Wait, didn’t you guys already review this? Why do it again?
If you listen in the video you can hear me say “we’ll have a question and answer post soon” which is what we had as a sort of review a few days ago. i just posted these out of order. We’ll also have more of a traditional review coming up as well. want to get as much out of this important moment in android history as we can
If you listen in the video you can hear me say “we’ll have a question and answer post soon” which is what we had as a sort of review a few days ago. i just posted these out of order. We’ll also have more of a traditional review coming up as well. want to get as much out of this important moment in android history as we can
here we go. . . another review on the Xoom from a non pro Apple site and here come the iFans. . .
where do they all come from?
A nice tablet for guys who live with their parents. Android….WTF? Robot. Alien evil. What geek losers.
you have no idea what this little monster is capable of
You tore that box open like a monkey searching for a banana inside
actually it took me an embarrassing amount of time, which is why i cut it short
Oh…and one more thing from today’s news:
Feb 28, 2011 6:24 pm
More Mobile Spyware Hits Android
By Armando Rodriguez, PCWorld
NetQin Mobile has captured 2 new spyware programs that have been infecting Android phones. The two programs, “SW.SecurePhone” and “SW.Qieting”, can release an unsettling amount of personal information from an infected phone.
Oh…and one more thing from today’s news:
Feb 28, 2011 6:24 pm
More Mobile Spyware Hits Android
By Armando Rodriguez, PCWorld
NetQin Mobile has captured 2 new spyware programs that have been infecting Android phones. The two programs, “SW.SecurePhone” and “SW.Qieting”, can release an unsettling amount of personal information from an infected phone.
???
Oh…and one more thing from today’s news:
Feb 28, 2011 6:24 pm
More Mobile Spyware Hits Android
By Armando Rodriguez, PCWorld
NetQin Mobile has captured 2 new spyware programs that have been infecting Android phones. The two programs, “SW.SecurePhone” and “SW.Qieting”, can release an unsettling amount of personal information from an infected phone.
I just can’t see it being very popular at these prices. Most average consumers already have a contract for their phone and aren’t likely to want to have another one for a tablet when you consider that the tablet market is so new most people still are not completely sure why then even need a tablet yet. Those same consumers are also going to look at this thing then look at the iPad and notice that it looks very much like the iPad which is the tablet an average person is going to be familiar with out of all the tablets. Still trying to get used to the idea of needing a tablet it will come down to price and originality. And right now it looks like the competitors are copiers with higher prices. Had the price been the same as the iPad 1 or a bit lower and it might have a chance….ignoring the fact that the non techie consumer might also shy away from the competition due to their immature app stores. After the iPad 2 is announced I don’t think the Xoom will be getting very much attention in the mainstream media, where it counts i.e. fox news, cnn, bbc, le monde, el pais, etc. It’s not likely to work out for Android in the same way as the cell phones did where A. you have a lot of models flooding the market, and B. you have consumers that NEED the device and also don’t know or care what OS it comes with. Tablets are currently devices no one NEEDS. Q.E.D in a few weeks/months time.
I wonder what people would complain about if this was 400 dollas???
the… screws?
I got a chance for the first time to see & play a little w/ the Xoom at Best Buy earlier today, it was a much anticipated event for me as I am very interested in getting the Xoom, but as a Droid X owner I was very disappointed w/ the lack of the Blockbuster App. To me this is believe it or not, a deal breaker. I have begun to build a nice digital library for viewing on my & my wife’s X’s, as well as our living room tv through our Samsung Blu-Ray player, & I deffinantly plan to be able to view my library & continue to grow it w/ the added viewing screen of my tablet, which from the options I wanted to be the Xoom.
Hey Chris, cool down a bit and come back to ground. This is just a tablet computer. And this particular one is everything than perfect. It lacks fullsize USB ports, has the power button on a place where you will press it several times without intention and an unfinished OS. It’s not a tiny little bit better than Adam with the exception of being available, but at a much higher price.
Oh I’m sorry I didn’t realize you had one too – I’ll go ahead and set you up with an AC account so you can publish your review instead.
I can understand that from a wanting to get hits standpoint but it seems like overkill and a bit pointless to me. Especially after reading this review http://www.anandtech.com/show/4191/motorola-xoom-review-first-honeycomb-tablet-arrives
I doubt there’s anything this review will have that we haven’t seen a million times already by now.
I can understand that from a wanting to get hits standpoint but it seems like overkill and a bit pointless to me. Especially after reading this review http://www.anandtech.com/show/4191/motorola-xoom-review-first-honeycomb-tablet-arrives
I doubt there’s anything this review will have that we haven’t seen a million times already by now.
who would want to buy a tablet with a maybe 4G and a maybe SD card slot and maybe Flash. Some people may think that the the price is right, but not if you want to conquer the world of tablets with an imperfect one.
I do not like Apple, but they know how to sell a product. First a product needs to be perfect, than you can sell. An imperfect product will backfire on the company that’s selling it.
I do not about what a lot of other people think about this, but I lost interest.
I can wait.
who would want to buy a tablet with a maybe 4G and a maybe SD card slot and maybe Flash. Some people may think that the the price is right, but not if you want to conquer the world of tablets with an imperfect one.
I do not like Apple, but they know how to sell a product. First a product needs to be perfect, than you can sell. An imperfect product will backfire on the company that’s selling it.
I do not about what a lot of other people think about this, but I lost interest.
I can wait.
who would want to buy a tablet with a maybe 4G and a maybe SD card slot and maybe Flash. Some people may think that the the price is right, but not if you want to conquer the world of tablets with an imperfect one.
I do not like Apple, but they know how to sell a product. First a product needs to be perfect, than you can sell. An imperfect product will backfire on the company that’s selling it.
I do not about what a lot of other people think about this, but I lost interest.
I can wait.
who would want to buy a tablet with a maybe 4G and a maybe SD card slot and maybe Flash. Some people may think that the the price is right, but not if you want to conquer the world of tablets with an imperfect one.
I do not like Apple, but they know how to sell a product. First a product needs to be perfect, than you can sell. An imperfect product will backfire on the company that’s selling it.
I do not about what a lot of other people think about this, but I lost interest.
I can wait.
Just got mine. The browser 2-d rendering of html5 is not yet fully gpu pipelined, webkit container css animates in this blocky fetch – swipe code that plays fine in ipad’s webkit is playing bugzy. The tag player is ???? i cant figure out why it often doesnt play its video.
Who knows where the definitive android 3.0 browser html5 authority is for this? at google or Moto or what?