Computer science: The Xoom is cool, but unfinished - Houston Chronicle

Apple unleashed its iPad 2 last week, and while it is the best-selling line of the Tablet, Apple is no longer the only player in the game.While Apple propelled the category, there are a number of emerging competitors. One of them, the Motorola Xoom, is a tablet of 10 inches with impressive capabilities. Also is the first available device commercially to use Android 3.0, or bee nest, the redesign of Google's mobile operating system specifically for tablets.I spent a couple of weeks with the Xoom, and it is cocktail of potential. It is fast, with an expansive screen and hardware which is ideal to see video or reading. But it feels like a product who escaped from the laboratory of way too early and in fact, some of its most interesting features are not yet available. One even asked to return to the Motorola device for retraining.Ah, then we must bear in mind the price. We will get to in a short time.On paper, the Xoom looks spectacular. It is equipped with a 1 GHz, dual-core processor and has one gigabyte of RAM. It comes with 32 GB of Flash-based storage of information and is not updatable. 10.1 Screen is the aspect ratio of 16: 9 associated with high definition video, which can be seen in the resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels.It also has Bluetooth, 802. 11n Wi-Fi, HDMI out and front and rear camera with LED flash. Rear camera 5 megapixel packages and you can also capture 720 p of HD video. The Xoom is sold through Verizon and connects to that 3 G, CDMA data network company. In the near future, the Xoom will work with most recent Verizon, 4 G, LTE network and here the first case in which the device seems unfinished. When the 4 G update is ready, you should send Tablet PC to its creator to have it installed. Yes, it's free, and there are "only" a shift of six days, but still - it should not be Motorola have waited until this feature attraction was ready before delivering the Xoom?Xoom form makes you want to use it in landscape mode most of the time, although when used in vertical orientation, it is also ideal for reading e-books and Web sites. However, this shape is generally difficult to handle.The Xoom is also a little heavy - 1.5 pounds, the same weight as the original, although a little more thick iPad. She feels strongly made, although the black mate is very prone to stains and fingerprints.With its dual-core and effective nVidia Tegra 2 graphics chip, the Xoom does honor to his name. It is incredibly fast and took everything that threw a without delay or delays. Video and games ran without problems. Also quickly loaded into the browser's Web pages, particularly when the Xoom was connected to WiFi.Battery life was very good. I have been able to go almost five days without a charge with regular, casual use.But in the Xoom software is both a draw and the hardware. Honeycomb is a complete reworking of the appearance and design of Android, which was originally designed for screens much smaller found smartphones. This new version takes real estate more available on the screen and seeking to make Android feel more polished and consistent.In cases where honeycomb is the case, it is a true joy. The browser, for example, now syncs with chromium. If you are using the browser excellent Google Desktop, you will have access to your history, bookmarks and other settings for the browser.In theory, honeycomb also has support for Flash Web content - something the iPad not - but here is another case where the product not ready for the prime time. It is expected that this feature in a software update later this week.Finally, it is the price. The Xoom costs $799, unless you're willing to sign a 2 year contract with Verizon, which reduces the price by $200. A Xoom only WiFi comes next month and is expected to sell for about $ contrast 600.in, 32 GB 3 g iPad is $729, without a contract. A 64 GB version is $829. The cheaper iPad Wi-Fi is only $499.While the Xoom is a cool tablet, is one that is still under construction. If you are interested in a Tablet Android 10 inches, is certainly one to consider. I would expect a time to buy one, however, until that it really finished.dwight.silverman@chron.com
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