Asus Eee Pad Transformer vs Xoom

[Cretz]

The Transformer comes out in a few months. I'd say if the Xoom wifi only version costs too much, or doesnt come out at all, why not check the Transformer out? It seems not many people are talking about it, which is surprising because it has the same specs as the Xoom, in addition to an attachable keyboard that increases battery life. It has a confirmed price range of $399-699, so we won't have to go through this crap around late march.

 

[ckeegan003]

Yeah, the $699 (still "estimated") version is the one comparable in specs to the Xoom, not the $400 version.

How's this any different than the Xoom in terms of price, since the Wi-Fi only version of the Xoom will probably come in around the same price, or maybe $50 more.

Will it have market access out of the box, or is Asus going to be like every other worthless manufacturer who doesn't feel like paying the license fee because users will just hack it onto their tablet anyway?

 

[2CupsWithString]

Yeah, the $699 (still "estimated") version is the one comparable in specs to the Xoom, not the $400 version.

How's this any different than the Xoom in terms of price, since the Wi-Fi only version of the Xoom will probably come in around the same price, or maybe $50 more.

Will it have market access out of the box, or is Asus going to be like every other worthless manufacturer who doesn't feel like paying the license fee because users will just hack it onto their tablet anyway?

I don't think their is a real license fee, I think it's more about the "Google Experience" and google wants to make sure it's brand is maintained on a well manufactured product.

 

[ckeegan003]

I don't think their is a real license fee, I think it's more about the "Google Experience" and google wants to make sure it's brand is maintained on a well manufactured product.

If that's the case, apparently Google doesn't think many tablets are well manufactured. Notion Ink, Archos, Viewsonic, and Asus all lack Android Market out of the box.

 

[Auzo]

If that's the case, apparently Google doesn't think many tablets are well manufactured. Notion Ink, Archos, Viewsonic, and Asus all lack Android Market out of the box.

I think it was more that Google didn't believe Android 2.x and lower would provide an experience that met their standards on tablets. They have publicly stated their caution in using Andorid 2.x and lower for tablets.

The only reason the Samsungs of the world were able to offer that was because they are a heavyweights of industry and have a lot of leverage.

Frankly I think it was a smart play to cover their butts.

 

[E_man]

Yeah, the $699 (still "estimated") version is the one comparable in specs to the Xoom, not the $400 version.

How's this any different than the Xoom in terms of price, since the Wi-Fi only version of the Xoom will probably come in around the same price, or maybe $50 more.

Will it have market access out of the box, or is Asus going to be like every other worthless manufacturer who doesn't feel like paying the license fee because users will just hack it onto their tablet anyway?

Still, that's what moto was supposed to do, multiple SKU's. So if I want 32Gb wifi, it'll probably be $200 cheaper than the XOOM, at ~$600. Not bad at all. If I want the $700 3G, that's still $100 cheaper.

And I'd be stunned if they didn't pay for gapps in these, they made too huge of a deal about them.

I don't think their is a real license fee, I think it's more about the "Google Experience" and google wants to make sure it's brand is maintained on a well manufactured product.

Google Android isn't free. Android is free and open source, anyone can go download it. Android the google way is not. Google apps such as Market, Youtube, Gmail, Google Talk, maps, etc are not free and open source. I'm 95% sure that you must pay to use them (which is why CM got in trouble a while ago) and must also qualify through google. These two factors are why Gapps are not on cheap tablets yet.

 

[ckeegan003]

And I'd be stunned if they didn't pay for gapps in these, they made too huge of a deal about them.

I just figured that was why Asus said they were building their own app market. Why make your own if you plan to have Android Market on the device?

 

[E_man]

I just figured that was why Asus said they were building their own app market. Why make your own if you plan to have Android Market on the device?

Added features. Sprint or Verizon does (or is working on) the same thing, making their own separate android market. Doesn't mean devices on those networks ship without the normal one.

Besides, where did you hear that they were working on their own?

 

[ckeegan003]

Added features. Sprint or Verizon does (or is working on) the same thing, making their own separate android market. Doesn't mean devices on those networks ship without the normal one.

Besides, where did you hear that they were working on their own?

They talked about it at CES. As for Verizon, they have their own tab in the Android Market, not technically their own market.

 

[cparker5]

They talked about it at CES. As for Verizon, they have their own tab in the Android Market, not technically their own market.

Technically they have their "V Cast Apps" Application

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Technically they have their "V Cast Apps" Application

Yeah but I wouldn't really call that a marketplace. It's more of a hub than anything else.

 

[E_man]

They talked about it at CES. As for Verizon, they have their own tab in the Android Market, not technically their own market.

I'm not talking about that. I was talking about this

Verizon produces its own Android Market and that?€™s fine by Google | WirelessGround.com Blog

They have their own completely seperate from google android market and open to developers. The Verizon android line still has the android market. It would be a surprise and a disappointment if Asus pulled what your thinking they will.

 

[Liberati0n]

My only problem with the Transformer and Slider is that it seems they aren't even running Honeycomb yet and were talking about ASUS having over a month to get it done when Honeycomb is by purposes, meant for the hardware they are using. Which kinda irks me as to why its not done, is it Google and for what reason?

Its all to confusing and I'm just hoping we can chalk up the Xoom pricing to clever advertising, which I will give them kudos for being smart enough to make it all about the Xoom with the all the pricing and activation non sense.