Android 4.0.4 now on its way to HSPA+ Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S, US Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi

The latest version of Android has been pushed to open source by Google yesterday, and today it has started rolling out to some devices. We're talking about Android 4.0.4. This is still called Ice Cream Sandwich, and, as the small version number change may imply, is a minor update. In that it doesn't bring any new features. That said, expect to see much improved performance when using this build, as Google has supposedly ironed out all the kinks in ICS. Or many of them, anyway. You can expect “stability improvements, better camera performance, smoother screen rotation, improved phone number recognition and more”, according to Google. The company says there are more than 100 changes in this version. A 4.0.4 build (which was clearly a work in progress) was leaked a couple of months ago for the Nexus S 4G, and some custom ROMs have so far been taking advantage of the bits found in that version. Now, however, it's all official. The HSPA+ version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (pictured above), the HSPA/GSM version of the Samsung Nexus S, and the Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi units sold in the US are the first devices to be receiving the update to Android 4.0.4. The rollout has started today, and may take a while to complete. For some owners of the Samsung Nexus S, this will be the first taste of ICS. That's because while a previous iteration, Android 4.0.3, managed to make it to many Nexus S units, that particular rollout was abruptly stopped at one point and many Nexus S owners have been stuck on Gingerbread all this time. That's sad, but will be rectified in a few days at most. Google didn't say a word about when the Nexus S 4G for Sprint or the LTE-capable Galaxy Nexus for Verizon will be updated. We're guessing that has something to do with carrier testing and such. Still, those handsets will probably end up running 4.0.4 well before most of the other phones sold by America's biggest CDMA carriers, so no reason to become angry for needing to wait a little bit more. At least not yet.

Motorola Droid Xyboard 10.1 Review

Motorola Droid Xyboard 10.1 Full Review

There is no shortage of enterprise tablets. From the PlayBook to the ThinkPad Tablet to any number of Windows slates, business users have plenty to choose from. Though it seems like a slick consumer device, the Droid Xyboard 10.1 is Motorola's attempt to tap into that market.

Featuring a larger form factor than its companion, the Xyboard 8.2, the Xyboard 10.1 has 4G connectivity, houses a suite of business-friendly apps, and comes packaged with a capacitive stylus. Do enterprise users have the device of their dreams on their hands? And how does the Xyboard 10.1 fare in other areas besides being business-ready?

Build & Design

With tablets that are anywhere around the 10.1-inch range, it's something of a given that they will be a little unwieldy and uncomfortable to hold with one hand. Nevertheless, I was surprised by how heavy the Xyboard 10.1 was at 1.33 pounds and how quickly I would grow tired from holding it with one hand. Perhaps making this even more puzzling is the fact that the Xyboard is not particularly thick, measuring 10 x 6.83 x 0.35 inches. The tablet is just dense, so I was caught a little off-guard when I first started handling it. But at least it's an improvement over the Xoom, which had a smaller screen but weighed more at 1.6 pounds.

It also has an odd shape that may appeal to some, but not to this reviewer. Its corners are cut off, leaving angles that give the tablet a hexagonal shape. This seems like an unnecessary alternative from the usual rounded corners (or even perfectly rectangular tablets); if anything, it just seems like an attempt to stand out in the crowd in a completely meaningless way.


That being said, what I did enjoy about the build was the fact that it has rubberized material on the back…well, part of the back, at least. The rubberized casing wraps around to the rear where it comes in about an inch on either side on the short ends, enough to give your fingers a place to rest on the back when holding the tablet in landscape mode. I would have preferred that the entire back of the casing be covered in rubberized material, that way I could enjoy it when holding the tablet in portrait mode too (or to provide comfort and grip to those who have longer fingers than I do). Still, the rest of the backing is made from aluminum, so at least it doesn't have a cheap feel to it.

Down towards the bottom of the front of the device is the Xyboard's built-in microphone, and in the middle of the bottom edge of the device, you will find a microUSB port (used for charging) as well as a microHDMI port. To the right of those two ports, there is a covered slot for a microSIM card, but unfortunately there's no microSD card slot. The top edge of the device, meanwhile, has an IR blaster and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Xyboard's front-facing, 1.3-megapixel camera is centered on the top frame of the device (when held in landscape mode), while the rear-facing, 5-megapixel camera is centered at the top on the back. The speakers are also located on the back of the Xyboard, but also near the top so they aren't covered by your hands when you're holding the tablet.

The only other controls on the Xyboard 10.1 are the power/standby and volume up/down buttons, and they are designed in the same atrocious manner as the ones found on the Xyboard 8.2. They are placed way too closely together on the back of the right short side of the tablet, with the distance between volume down and up being the same distance between volume up and the power button. As such, it's virtually impossible to tell which button you're pressing just by feel without looking. And not only are the buttons located on the back, they're barely raised, so they're more or less flush with the surface of the device. So even if you are lucky enough to find the button that you want without having to stare at it, it's not particularly easy or comfortable to press it.
Screen and Speakers

The screen on the Xyboard 10.1 certainly looks crisp enough, given its 1280 x 800 resolution, but I will admit that it looked better on the Xyboard 8.2 thanks to the greater pixel density (it had the same resolution, but on a smaller screen). Still, the viewing angle is very wide, colors looked vivid, and HD video was a pleasure to watch on the display.

Aside from the fact that they're rear-firing, I think that the speakers are well-placed up towards the top on the back of the device, since they have no risk of being accidentally covered. They are surprisingly powerful too, but just because they can be loud doesn't mean that they're of good quality. Like 99% of tablet speakers, it's not like you'll get any rich-sounding audio or bass out of them; they're still tinny and flat-sounding.

Specs

• Android Honeycomb (3.2)
• 10.1-inch TFT IPS touchscreen display, 1280 x 800
• 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB internal storage
• Front facing 1.3 megapixel, rear-facing 5.0 megapixel webcams
• 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Verizon LTE
• microUSB 2.0, microHDMI, 3.5mm audio input
• 10 x 6.83 x 0.35 inches
• 1.33 pounds
• Ships with microUSB wall charger, microUSB to full USB cable
• Price at launch: 16 GB: $529.99 subsidized, $699.99 full retail; 32 GB: $629.99 subsidized, $799.99 full retail; 64 GB: $729.99 subsidized, $899.99 full retail; 16 GB, Wi-Fi only: $499.99

Peformance

Like the Xyboard 8.2, the Xyboard 10.1 features a dual-core, 1.2 GHz processor that has a respectable amount of power, enough to give it some legs before it has to step aside to really usher in the quad-core processor era. Its performance in our benchmark tests was good, but not out of this world; it ranked behind some of the more recent tablets with its Quadrant and Sunspider performance.

The Xyboard ships with Android Honeycomb 3.2, which is a perfectly serviceable OS, but thankfully it will also be upgradeable to Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) in Q3 of this year, according to Motorola. Anybody who has used both operating systems knows that they're solid, but ICS packs a ton of new features and is generally more convenient and user friendly. And while my experience with Honeycomb 3.2 on the Xyboard was generally stable, I did experience a couple of lockups that required me to do a reboot of the device.

The startup time wasn't great, taking about 40 seconds or so from a cold start. Looking at my editor's review of the Xyboard 8.2 (which had roughly the same startup time), he seems to think this is an acceptable boot time for this generations' tablets, but I thing that's a bit on the long side. To put things into perspective, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus takes 20 seconds from a dead start. At least the Xyboard 10.1 shuts down almost immediately, only taking about five seconds to close up shop.

Quadrant measures CPU, 3D, and memory performance. Higher numbers are better.

Sunspider is a Javascript benchmark for measuring browser performance. Lower numbers are better.

The battery on the Xyboard 10.1 is decent, and I definitely do not think it's as poor as many other reviewers have claimed. With light usage (say, half an hour of navigating, taking photos, internet browsing or downloading apps a day), I was able to get it to last almost two weeks. Admittedly, once you step up the usage for more intense operations like video streaming, gaming, video chatting, etc., the battery life obviously doesn't have the same longevity, but I could still get a solid day and a half out of it even after watching a full streaming movie. I will also concede that if I had been using 4G, battery life probably would have been a lot worse.

Yes, the Xyboard is a Verizon 4G LTE-enabled device, which is a nice touch that keeps its connectivity on the cutting edge, but unfortunately we were unable to test out this feature due to the fact that we did not have any micro SIM cards lying around the office. So for this review, I relied on Wi-Fi connectivity, which always worked just fine. I've had problems with other Android tablets where the Wi-Fi goes on the fritz and seemingly had a mind of its own, switching between networks or disconnecting at will. But no such issues arose during my time with the Xyboard 10.1, which was refreshing.

Apps

The Xyboard 10.1 seems to have business users in mind and as such, it comes preloaded with a number of enterprise-oriented apps that many will find useful. While some are more common like the ubiquitous Quickoffice, there are few gems like Fuze Meeting, Citrix (which allows you to access cloud storage or virtual desktops), Motocast (also a cloud/file streaming service), GoToMeeting, Polycom Video, and Evernote (packaged in support of the stylus, which we'll get to later).

There are some other preloaded apps that are geared more towards entertainment, too, like Kindle, Blockbuster, Skitch (it lets you doodle on pictures, essentially), The Daily, Netflix, Dijit (universal remote app), Videosurf, and a link to Motorola's app marketplace, MotoPack. But unfortunately, the Xyboard also features its fair share of garbage that only serves to clutter up your app space.

For instance, I was extremely excited to see Slingbox in my apps when I first loaded up the tablets; alas, it was only a link to purchase the $30 app. Same went for the games (Let's Golf 2, Madden), which were only brief demos of the full versions. The worst part? As far as I could tell, the links to this nonsense could not be removed from my apps section, permanently causing clutter.

Stylus

The Xyboard 10.1's capacitive stylus support has a lot of potential, especially given that the device seems to be aimed towards the enterprise demographic. Besides, it's really the only unique aspect of this particular device that's afloat in a sea of Android tablets. That's not to say that there aren't other Android tablets that include styluses, but it's not an especially common feature and it's nice to see Motorola try something a little different. Unfortunately, the company floundered in its execution of stylus support and it ends up coming off as more of a gimmick than anything especially useful.

The biggest problem with using the stylus is that the Xyboard 10.1 does not feature palm rejection. As a result, it's completely impossible to write naturally with your hand against the tablet; if you try, its detection completely freaks out and you'll end up with a few random dots and squiggles in the area where you just attempted to write words. Even if you try writing without your hand touching the screen, which is incredibly uncomfortable and unnatural, the handwriting recognition is poor. The stylus works well for navigation, but that's about it.

I can appreciate the inclusion of certain stylus-ready apps that are housed in the system tray on the bottom right of the screen, including Evernote and Sticky Note, and I like that the usual Android keyboard that pops up for input can be switched to stylus/handwriting input. These inclusions encourage the use of the stylus and note taking, which shows Motorola's commitment to the idea of the stylus. And they would be welcome inclusions…if writing with the stylus wasn't such a hassle.


Conclusion

The Xyboard 10.1 is a good attempt from Motorola to provide the enterprise crowd with a reliable tablet option. In some ways, in succeeds: if you avoid video-intensive activities, battery life is solid, it has 4G connectivity, and many of its preloaded business apps are extremely useful. But on the other hand, the inclusion of the stylus proves to be more or less useless beyond serving as a navigation tool. It had massive potential, especially for the enterprise demographic, but any attempt to use it for input will be inconvenient at best; at its worst, it just won't work at all thanks to the Xyboard's lack of palm rejection.

There aren't enough serious flaws for me to just write the Xyboard off completely. But there are enough flaws to balance out its strengths and make it a middle-of-the-road option for business users. More casual users looking for a device for content consumption, however, can probably look elsewhere. You can probably knock a few bucks off the price if you opt for a device without 4G, stylus support, and preloaded business apps (and encryption). There is a Wi-Fi only option of the Xyboard 10.1, but it's still $500 with 16 GB of memory. Casual users are better off going with another option rather than paying $500 for a feature set you mostly don't need.

Motorola XYBOARD 8.2 and 10.1 updates from Verizon arrive

Verizon Wireless has already introduced the latest software updates for both the Motorola Droid XYBOARD 8.2 and XYBOARD 10.1 tablets (we have reviewed the two of them already, where you can read it here and here). As with any other update, you can expect a bunch of improvements, and this time around, global roaming is supported. Basically, this translates to the ability to connect to the Internet regardless of where your XYBOARD travels with you over a 4G network – as long as it is supported in that part of the world, that is, and also be prepared to be slapped with a rather shocking roaming fee at the end of the month. Something tells me that this is going to be a service used only in extreme emergencies, where you have exhausted all other avenues of getting online. On the other hand, when you are overseas, chances are you will fall back on Wi-Fi connectivity most of the time. Apart from that, this update will also deliver improved scrolling in the web browser, a superior touch response, wireless improvements, as well as the ability to use the keyboard whenever the tablet is placed within a docking station. You can read about the XYBOARD 8.2 update here and the XYBOARD 10.1 update here.

Verizon's Motorola Droid Xyboard tablets get global roaming abilities via software update

Verizon's recently launched oddly-named Motorola-made tablet duo, the Droid Xyboard 10.1 and the Droid Xyboard 8.2, have received a software update. It would be a rather minor affair, except for the fact that this update enables global roaming abilities for the two tablets. So if you like to travel overseas a lot (and take your Xyboard with you, of course), you should be quite happy about this. And you should apply this update as soon as possible. After updating, your Xyboard will run software version 1.6.0M_279. Alongside the global roaming abilities, there are other enhancements as well. The browser should handle scrolling better, you should now be able to open links in emails without your tablet rebooting, the touch response is better, and The Daily app is preloaded. Finally, there should be seamless switching between Wi-Fi and 3G and 4G LTE connectivity. The updates are approximately 83 MB in size, and should arrive over-the-air. When the update is ready to install, your tablet will prompt you to do so. Full installation instructions are available in this PDF for the Droid Xyboard 10.1 and in this PDF for the Droid Xyboard 8.2. Full details about the updates are over here in this PDF for the 8.2 inch tablet, and here in this PDF for its 10.1-inch sibling.

UK: Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi now just �249.99

The Motorola Xoom has seen its fair share of price cuts in the UK over the past few months, especially in its Wi-Fi-only incarnation. And those were anything but unexpected, considering the pretty steep pricing it launched with (£499.99). It was quite obvious that it wouldn't do very good with that price, so we've seen it go down to £394.95, £329.99, and, most recently, even £299.99. But that wasn't the last of the reductions, apparently. At the moment, Carphone Warehouse is offering the Wi-Fi-only Xoom for just £249.99, and at that price this is starting to have ‘bargain' written all over it. After all it's still very capable hardware, and it's approaching the price range of ‘budget' Android tablets which usually come with all sorts of compromises with regard to performance.

Motorola Xoom Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starts rolling out

The Android 4.0 update for the Motorola Xoom has started rolling out already. It looks like the first to get it are Wi-Fi-only Xooms in the USA. That makes sense, since the US-sold Xooms are ‘Google Experience Devices', whereas Xooms sold elsewhere aren't (then again, the first tablet to receive this update was the Asus Transformer Prime and that isn't a Google Experience Device). The update is about 81 MB in size and will bring your Xoom up to Android build version IML77. The update shall arrive over-the-air, and as such your tablet will notify you when it becomes available. As always with these things, the rollout may be staggered, meaning that it may take a few days (at least) for the update to reach your particular unit. Even more than that, we're guessing, if you're outside the US and/or you have a Xoom with mobile data connectivity (since in that case your carrier probably has to accept the update as well). Still, it's on its way starting today, and that can only be good news. By the way, Settings > About tablet > System updates is your friend in case you're feeling lucky.

Verizon drops price of Motorola DROID RAZR to $199.99

Verizon announced on Tuesday that the Motorola DROID RAZR, which originally launched a few months back for $299.99, is now available for $199.99 with a new two-year contract. The DROID RAZR is equipped with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, support for Verizon's 4G LTE network, 16GB of storage, an 8-megapixel camera capable of recording 1080p HD video and more. The slim smartphone will also become available in new white or purple color options on January 23rd. Verizon's full press release follows after the break. DROID RAZR™ By Motorola Now Available For $199.99 Online On The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network  Customer Inquiries The DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in Black is now available online atwww.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Equipped with 16 GB on-board memory, the DROID RAZR is 7.1 mm thin, made with KEVLAR® fiber for strength and Corning® Gorilla® Glass for scratch resistance. DROID RAZR customers can expect to rip through the Web at blazing speeds with a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor and Verizon Wireless 4G LTE. Verizon Wireless leads the way in 4G with the fastest and most reliable 4G network in the United States, covering more than 200 million people in 190 markets. Additional features: Powered by Android™ 2.3.5 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video capture and image stabilization technology for crisp and clear videos Front-facing HD camera for video chat over 4G LTE, 3G or Wi-Fi 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot capable - customers can share 4G LTE speed with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices Remote wipe, pin lock and government-grade encryption for email, calendar and contacts, as well as voice and video chat conferencing 16 GB on-board memory microSD™ card slot with support for up to 32 GB memory card The DROID RAZR in White and Purple will be also available for $199.99 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online atwww.verizonwireless.com on Jan. 23. Customers that purchase a DROID RAZR will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data. For more information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Motorola Xoom drips with Ice Cream Sandwich update

It seems that the Motorola Xoom tablet has started to receive the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich updates since yesterday, where Motorola did tease the update beforehand via e-mail to lucky Xoom owners, “Thanks for your patience as we've waited for this project to begin. Because we are dealing with a Google Experience Device (GED) we have less insight to timing than we would usually have. However, I'm happy to announce that we will start the update this evening. Because it was delayed a few days, we will also have additional time to test; we will let it run through the weekend.” At point of publishing, it seems as though a few thousand select Xoom Wi-Fi owners will be on the receiving end of the update as part of an initial and private test. Assuming there are no grouses or complaints, Motorola intends to roll out Ice Cream Sandwich to the masses from late Thursday onwards, all the way through to the weekend (and beyond, perhaps?). Are you one of the select few hand-picked by Motorola to enjoy Ice Cream Sandwich for your Xoom Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xyboard tablets now up for pre-order, shipping this month

Motorola's new Droid Xyboard tablets for Verizon (known elsewhere as the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition) went on sale a month ago. Obviously though, the carrier isn't selling Wi-Fi-only versions of the tablets. That's up to Motorola itself. And today the company has started taking pre-orders for Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 tablets at its own website. The prices being asked are $399 for the 16 GB Xyboard 8.2, $499.99 for the 32 GB Xyboard 8.2, $499.99 for the 16 GB Xyboard 10.1, and $599.99 for the 32 GB Xyboard 10.1. That's on par with Apple's iPad 2 pricing, which isn't really that good for Motorola and its tablet sales.

Motorola Xyboard WiFi-only up for pre-order

While 4G LTE connectivity is nice to have, not everybody needs it and wants to pay premium just to have it on their phones/tablets. Well for those of you who feel that way and are looking to get your hands on Motorola's latest tablet, the Xyboard - we've got some good news. The WiFi-only version of the tablet has gone up for pre-order on Motorola's website. The tablets all feature the same specs as the previously released Verizon DROID Xyboard tablets minus the LTE radios. The Xyboard 8.2 will be priced at $399.99 for 16GB and $499.99 for 32GB. The Xyboard 10.1 will cost $499.99 for the 16GB while the 32GB version will be $599.99 - that's about $200 less than what you would have to pay for 4G. Thinking of picking one up? Be sure to read our review about the Xyboard 8.2 and Xyboard 10.1 first, and then head over to Motorola's website to pre-order the tablet.

Secret Motorola XOOM project hints at Android 4.0 update

Motorola recently posted a message in its XOOM owners forums alerting customers that the company is working on a confidential project for the XOOM. Any owner of the Wi-Fi-only “Google Experience Device” version of the XOOM can choose to participate. What remains unknown, however, is what the “confidential project” exactly is. We doubt Motorola would spend too much time adding new features or making too many tweaks to the tablet now that a new model has launched, so we think it's more likely that the company is working on a test version of Ice Cream Sandwich. Motorola confirmed that in October that it plans to issue an Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to the XOOM, RAZR and DROID BIONIC. The full letter from Motorola follows after the break. Hi, Thanks for joining the Motorola Feedback Network. We are preparing a project for owners of the "Google Experience Device" version of the WiFi-only Motorola Xoom. (This is the U.S. version only.) If you own this particular model, we would like to invite you to participate. Click this link to take a short enrollment survey for this project. Please note that you must be a member in good standing of the Motorola Owners' Forums to take part. We have recently moved our forums communities to a new site, and YOU MUST RE-REGISTER to be considered a member. Please visit our new site and complete your registration update if you have not done so already. Be sure to fill out the MFN opt-in information on the new site. This is a confidential project under the terms of the Motorola Feedback Network. Do not post any details or information about this project on any public sites. Thanks - please understand that project start times are always fluid. We ask for your patience if you register but don't hear from us right away. - Matt Motorola Owners' Forums Motorola Feedback Network

Motorola's Droid Xyboards now $50 cheaper at Verizon

Available at Verizon since earlier this month, the Motorola Droid Xyboard 8.2 and Droid Xyboard 10.1 were launched at prices starting at $429.99, and going up to $729.99. Now Verizon seems to have realized that those prices were too high (especially since they all require a new 2-yr contract agreement). So it decided to offer each of the Xyboard models (8.2 16GB, 8.2 32GB, 10.1 16GB, 10.1 32GB, and 10.1 64GB) for $50 less. You can go here at Verizon to choose any of the Xyboards right away. Both the Motorola Xyboard 8.2 and Xyboard 10.1 feature dual-core processors, and run Android 3.2 Honeycomb (but will most probably be updated to Ice Cream Sandwich next year).

Google Nexus tablet could be coming within 6 months

Google's chairman told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the company will be releasing a “high quality” tablet within six months and continue the “brutal competition” with Apple in the mobile communications market. Schmidt also commented on Apple's Siri, mentioning that Google has the technology to do something similar, and hinted that the company will have such a product in the future.

With Motorola on board, Google should have the capability to deliver its vision of a capable tablet, which has been rumored to be in the works for well over a year. Apple is expected to release its iPad 3 early next year with a major update for its display as well as software integration with an also speculated Apple HDTV. Google will have to follow Apple in hardware specs as well as software experience that will have to include a significant improvement of Google TV.

In Corriere della Sera, Schmidt also commented on Google X and its most critical area of research, the self-driving car. According to Schmidt, that car will not be available for years or even a decade due to regulatory hurdles. Initially, that car may be released as a driver-assistance system that informs the driver what it intends to do.

Motorola Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 Unboxing

The Motorola Xyboard tablets have landed at the office: there is a 10.1″ version, and a 8.2″ one. Both share a similar “design language”, but the usage model can be slightly different because of their size. For these new tablets, Motorola has used quality materials, and a “tough” design that makes both tablets look solid, and almost rugged (almost). We bet that Motorola wanted to differentiate itself by going after one of the main criticism that other Android tablets, namely the Galaxy Tab series, receive often: they feel a bit “plastic”. Motorola takes the opposite route and even shows metallic screws in the back.

Motorola's Tablet Do-Over Is Ready for Pre-Order

Look familiar? The Xyboard tablet is not all that different from the Xoom. Photo courtesy of Motorola

“Those who cannot remember the past,” George Santayana wrote, “are condemned to repeat it.”

Motorola must have a very short memory. This much is apparent in the impending release of the Xyboard, Motorola's successor to the Xoom Android tablet. The Xyboard is up for pre-order on Verizon's web site, but by most measures, the device isn't all that different from its predecessor.

For one thing, it boasts markedly similar specs. The Xyboard comes with a slightly more powerful dual-core processor (1.2GHz instead of 1GHz), a 10.1-inch screen (same as the Xoom), and front and rear-facing cameras with the same resolutions as those in the previous tablet (5 and 1.3 megapixels, respectively). The only major difference that we can discern thus far is that the Xyboard will measure in slightly lighter and thinner than the Xoom.

And for those who want more than just Wi-Fi, built-in 4G LTE connectivity on Verizon's network is also an option. That's an update to the Xoom, which required sending the device back to the manufacturer for a 4G upgrade (sheesh).

But here's the ugly kicker: Motorola is selling the Xyboard at premium (read: pricey) rates, starting at $530 for the 16GB version, and stepping up gradually to $630 for 32GB and $730 for 64GB. And those prices are after signing a two-year Verizon Wireless contract.

To be fair, these prices represent a $100 price cut relative to comparable iPad 2 models, and the Xyboard includes 4G instead of 3G. So it would seem that you're getting a deal by choosing Android over iOS.

But as the past year has vividly shown us, customers don't want to buy Android tablets at premium prices. We've only seen non-iPad tablets fly off the shelves when hitting bargain bins, and even then the parent companies have been forced to sell premium components at a loss. That's no way to run a business.

So why not learn from previous mistakes? And further, why release another device — one that is, for all intents and purposes, identical to the previous flop of a tablet launch — when both quad-core processors and a new version of Android are on the horizon?

Maybe the company knows something we don't? Or maybe not.

The Xyboard goes on sale nationwide on Monday, with pre-orders currently available on Verizon's web site.

Motorola Xoom 3G finally gets updated to Android 3.2 in Europe

In November, Wi-Fi-only Motorola Xoom tablets sold in Europe got their update to Android 3.2 Honeycomb. And now it's finally the 3G-enabled version's turn. That's right, if you own a 3G-capable Xoom in Europe, the Android 3.2 update is on its way.

As for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich… expect to be waiting a few months for that, if it ever arrives.

The Android 3.2 update is now rolling out for T-Mobile branded tablets in Germany, and for those bought unlocked and SIM-free in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

To download the update, head over to motorola.com/myxoom or motorola.com/update.

Motorola XOOM 2 will be available at Carphone Warehouse for Christmas for 400 Euros

Motorola has been looking to expand its tablet portfolio with its latest Xoom products. It recently launched the Motorola XOOM Family Edition at Bestbuy for $379. Today, a leaked flyer revealed that the Motorola XOOM 2 tablet will be available at Carphone Warehouse for this holiday season for 400 euros or $545.

Specs wise, the XOOM 2 features a 8.2-inch touchscreen, Android 3.2(Honeycomb), and WiFi tethering support. It is a little disappointing that this device won't ship with Android ICS, but it will likely get a quick update. Other rumored specs include a front-facing camera, 16-32GB of internal storage, Bluetooth, and GPS.

The flyer did not give an exact date, but rather just a broad range. This device has still yet to be confirmed for the US. We will keep you updated on the status of the XOOM 2.

Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition get official

Not exactly one for the shocking column here, but Motorola has officially revealed the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition today. The Xoom 2 rocks a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, Android 3.2, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and a 10.1-inch display. It also offers up front and rear-facing cameras at 1.3 megapixel and five megapixel, respectively, plus Motorola's new Splash-guard protection. The Xoom 2 Media Edition features similar specs, save for its 8.2-inch display size, which, like the standard Xoom 2, has Gorilla Glass protection. It also promises a 20-percent improvement over the original Xoom in the graphics department, which, along with a 178 degree viewing angle make the tablet optimized for media consumption, as the name implies. Thus far, availability for the similarly named tablets has only been announced in the UK and Ireland, where the WiFi versions hit around the middle of this month through retailers like Carphone Warehouse.

Motorola announces XOOM 2, XOOM 2 Media Edition tablets

Motorola on Thursday announced its new XOOM 2 and XOOM 2 Media Edition tablets. The XOOM 2 runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb and is equipped with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 10.1-inch display, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 5-megapixel camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. Motorola said the display, which has a special “splashguard” for added protection, is brighter and more vibrant than the screen used on the original XOOM. Motorola also pre-loaded the XOOM 2 with several enterprise apps in hopes of attracting the corporate market. The XOOM 2 Media Edition also runs Android 3.2 Honeycomb but is thinner, lighter, has a smaller 8.2-inch display. It also lacks the enterprise focus of the XOOM 2. Motorola said the tablets will be available in various retail outlets throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom in November but did not provide any details on a U.S. launch date. The company's full press release follows after the break.

Motorola Mobility Launches Two New Tablets in the UK and Ireland

Motorola XOOM 2™ and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition™ are powerful, portable and ready to take on the world

LONDON - November 3, 2011 - Building on the success of Motorola XOOM™, Motorola Mobility is rocking the tablet world yet again with two additions that bring enhanced experiences to the European market. Wi-Fi variants of the Motorola XOOM 2™ and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition™ – boasting powerful productivity, rich entertainment and customizable experiences — are now available: the answer to consumers looking for a tablet that can keep up with their lifestyle. Both tablets will be available at Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Ireland, as well as Best Buy, PC World, Dixons and Currys in the UK.

"Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have tool for staying connected, getting work done and having fun at home and on the road," said Victoria McManus, marketing director UK & Ireland, Motorola Mobility. "We are very excited about these two new additions to our tablet portfolio that build on the success of the original Motorola XOOM to now deliver more powerful tablet experiences to the European market."

The new Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition both feature Android 3.2, a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, brilliant displays with Corning® Gorilla® Glass and a splashguard coating for a go anywhere, do everything attitude. In addition, both tablets include the new MotoCast™ app that lets you stream all your music, photos, videos and documents between your PC or Mac and tablet without any media tools, apps, or cords.

Motorola XOOM 2: Lighter and Brighter
Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi sports a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display and Android 3.2 Honeycomb like its predecessor, but the similarities end there. The display is brighter and more vibrant than before with colour enhancement, and the edges have been strategically designed to make the tablet more comfortable to hold — this tablet is easy on the eyes, and easy on the hands. It is compatible with the optional Motorola Stylus that is great for note-taking, hand-writing emails and sketching. Motorola XOOM 2 is loaded with Business Ready features like VPN support and data encryption.

Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi features MOTOPRINT integrated into key apps so you can print wirelessly from your tablet. It is approximately 100 grams lighter than the original Motorola XOOM to make it even easier to take on the road, and can withstand poolside use, spilled drinks or dashes out to the car in the rain thanks to its new splash-guard coating. A battery delivering more than 10 hours of video playback means it can go with you wherever you need to be.

Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition: Beat your Boredom
Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition with Wi-Fi is easy to hold with one hand thanks to its 8.2-inch display, and easy to take with you wherever you go, weighing less than the best-selling paperback you've been carrying around. Optimised for entertainment, it has a wide, 178 degree viewing angle. Hold it up to someone across the room, or share it with someone sitting next to you, and everyone gets a brilliant view.

Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition has a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance over the original Motorola XOOM for smoother gaming, features adaptive virtual surround sound with booming bass that'll delight your ears, and stands out from the crowd with the fastest multi-tasking in its class. It can even be a universal remote control for home AV equipment with the personalized, custom remote control app pre-loaded on the tablet. Lastly, a splash-guard coating provides extra protection against the spills that are bound to happen when you're having fun.

Accessories to connect to your life easier, from anywhere

With the Work and Play kit, plug your tablet into the HD Multimedia Station to connect to your HDTV, speakers and other peripherals for large-screen entertainment. Get more done, faster with the included keyboard and mouse with Bluetooth technology. Now, when your tablet is docked, the Smart Controller lets you MC the show from the comfort of your couch. For Motorola XOOM 2, no accessory discussion is complete without mentioning the Motorola Stylus with Precision tip – your tablet's best friend.
Availability Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition, Wi-Fi variants will be available in the UK and Ireland in mid-November. Carphone Warehouse customers in the UK can pre-register here

Motorola Xoom2: Thinner, Lighter, Faster

Motorola has kicked the Xoom2 out of the Android tablet nest and it looks like a big improvement on v1. There are two models, the Xoom2 and the Xoom2 Media Edition.

The original Xoom was a piece of junk. Lightweight (in a bad way), plasticky and cheap-feeling, it had nothing on the then-current iPad 1. Until we get a hands-on, we won't if the new one feels any better, but it is certainly thinner, faster and lighter.

The main difference between the regular Xoom2 and the Media Edition is size, with 10.1-inch and 8.2-inch displays respectively. Both are 0.35-inches thick (the original was a shade over half an inch), and the new ten-incher weighs 1.32 pounds against the original's 1.5 pounds.

Both new Xooms run on a dual-core 1.2GHz processor (up from 1GHz), include 1GB RAM and run Android 3.2 Honeycomb.

But despite these improvements, Motorola is clearly building down to a price. The storage has been halved from 32GB to 16GB, the front-facing camera is now down from 2MP to 1.3MP. The front camera remains at 5MP, but has hopefully been improved since the awful first version.

Both tablets will launch later in November in Great Britain, with no U.S or Canada dates yet announced.

Xoom2 product page [Motorola]

Xoom2 Media Edition [Motorola]