Hardcore Android Guy Returns Xoom

[terrain]

Of course the Ipad will have less lag - didn't you hear it's Magical. Moto never said the xoom is Magical.

Er --- I have a problem with my device.... I really like the said device but instead of trying another device, trying to fix my device -- I just return it... Makes sense.

Returning mine as well. It's not the cost, it's the fact that even if I DIDN'T get FCs every few hours, even if there WERE apps written for it, and even if it DID ship with 4g/SD support/flash, there's still the problem of input/screen lag.

Sure, it's only a matter of milliseconds, but that kills gaming and makes the entire device feel sluggish. Swiping to the left pane and seeing the device lag for a half second before it reacts drives me crazy. Hitting the home key and having it lag for a second or two before loading is super annoying.

A friend of mine who works at Apple said that UI responsiveness and the absence of lag is one of the biggest priorities for Apple, and that's primarily why they don't allow widgets, custom wallpapers, and apps that suck up CPU cycles unregulated. I LOVE the customization android gives you, but i'm about fed up with lag.

If I wanted lag I would have stuck with WM6.x.

 

[cparker5]

My main issue was, the Xoom didn't do the things I like - in particular - as smoothly as my Ipad. I got tired of the force closes, right in middle of doing something. For a device that has 4 times the memory and twice the processing power as my Ipad, I felt like it should run better. Having said that, I still may still end up getting the Xoom again later.

What applications were you running during your force closes? I tend to get force closes on applications that I know I shouldn't be running with my Xoom, ie the programmer didn't design them for the tablet.

 

[barkomatic]

I experienced lag but, not that bad. The only lag I noticed was the auto-rotation and, when the device was in portrait mode. It seems to be a lot smoother in landscape. Everything else was very fast & responsive.

My main issue was, the Xoom didn't do the things I like - in particular - as smoothly as my Ipad. I got tired of the force closes, right in middle of doing something. For a device that has 4 times the memory and twice the processing power as my Ipad, I felt like it should run better. Having said that, I still may still end up getting the Xoom again later.

Indeed. You can have the best specs in the world but if the OS and applications running on it are buggy and incomplete you're going to get lag. Once the Xoom moves out of its beta product stage I think it will be a good tablet--but by then its reputation will be in the gutter. I think Motorola and Google will end up moving on after the Xoom to a second generation device more geared toward the average consumer.

I may still spring for one myself one day if the price comes down, Verizon eliminates their activation fees on tablets, and it ships in its complete form. Not even having a set date for flash or the LTE upgrade is a very bad sign.

 

[wedge40]

I waited about a week till I picked up my xoom. I read the reviews I could find that were done after the release date. I knew what I was getting when I layed out my $$$$. I wouldn't call it a beta, but it's not a completly polished product. I can wait for the updates. Wouldn't think of returning it. I have a laptop and two desktop computers so this is just toy for now. Or a very expensive Kindle.

 

[qnet]

What applications were you running during your force closes? I tend to get force closes on applications that I know I shouldn't be running with my Xoom, ie the programmer didn't design them for the tablet.

The browser has forced closed, while I was online, on a forum, one time right in the middle of typing something. The Nook app is nice because, the interface operates just like the stock ereader but, it crashes a lot. I use a app called Msecure , it forced closed only once and doesn't work that smooth but, it doen't work that smooth on my Android phone either.

There were others but, I don't remember which ones. My guess is they are ones not meant for tablets yet, like you suggested.

It seems like some of the developers - for some reason - don't write some of these apps as well as they do for IOS.

 

[djfujiyama]

Of course the Ipad will have less lag - didn't you hear it's Magical. Moto never said the xoom is Magical.

Er --- I have a problem with my device.... I really like the said device but instead of trying another device, trying to fix my device -- I just return it... Makes sense.

It lags out of the box. Albeit not a ton, but enough to annoy me. I get that 'buy a new device and immediately try to fix it because it doesn't work right out of the box' is the Android way, but in this case the extra functionality of the xoom doesn't make up for the lagginess, fixable or not.

I just don't have the time to buy a new device and immediately troubleshoot its issues nowadays. I already have an epic 4g for that.

 

[dhendriksen]

But you have time to tether it to your computer and dink around with iTunes? Let me know how your iPad works "right out of the box". It will show a pictures of a cable on it and nothing more. Lame.

That isn't the Android way, but sometimes it can be the "cutting edge" way. Anytime you're the first in on a particular type of product there are going to be some bumps in the road, but I don't mind. It's the price you pay for being "bleeding edge".

 

[terrain]

Indeed. You can have the best specs in the world but if the OS and applications running on it are buggy and incomplete you're going to get lag. Once the Xoom moves out of its beta product stage I think it will be a good tablet--but by then its reputation will be in the gutter. I think Motorola and Google will end up moving on after the Xoom to a second generation device more geared toward the average consumer.

I may still spring for one myself one day if the price comes down, Verizon eliminates their activation fees on tablets, and it ships in its complete form. Not even having a set date for flash or the LTE upgrade is a very bad sign.

It appears Verizon has done away with the activation fees for tablets. Couple threads on macrumors.

 

[barkomatic]

It appears Verizon has done away with the activation fees for tablets. Couple threads on macrumors.

Is it really for all tablets or just the iPad? If the activation fees are indeed waived for the Xoom, that removes a significant barrier. That would be cool.

 

[terrain]

Call vzw and ask. From what I have been reading xoom users who called were able to have it removed. I spoke with my enterprise Rep and he said tablets would carry the same policy across the board for retail sales. So if they exclude the ipad I don't see how they can include the xoom.

Note. There are no fees for b2b customers.

 

[slopokdave]

Full disclosure, I have an Evo and I'm a die hard android fan. My wife has an Evo, and my son has an Optimus.

Returned my Xoom yesterday, simply because the 14 day policy and I wasn't 100% confident in how quick development would take off. Low and behold the "update" starts rolling out last night. heh.

I am going to get an ipad2 from Target because of their 90 day return policy. Worst case, I will either return the ipad2 and jump back to the Xoom. Or keep the ipad2, hand it down, and get the Xoom. I feel like I am going to be bored with the ipad and the inability to tinker, but we will see. I feel like I should blog about this "experience". lol.

 

[terrain]

Good Luck with Target. My Local said they will start charging the same re-stocking fee they charge for all DVD players - and other similar electronics. In any event if you use it for 90 days - it makes sense - just call it rent.

 

[slopokdave]

Good Luck with Target. My Local said they will start charging the same re-stocking fee they charge for all DVD players - and other similar electronics. In any event if you use it for 90 days - it makes sense - just call it rent.

This may be true... I read a couple that just returned their last year model and their was no questions asked. Its the same as anywhere, they often don't enforce it or know its even policy.

 

[Lithoss]

I'm looking at getting a Xoom right now, and have been reading a lot of reviews. To be quite honest, I don't understand the price argument, or really, most of the complaints here.

I see multiple people saying that $800 for a Xoom is too much, especially without a working SD card reader, 4G and no Flash.

May I ask this: Have you compared this with the competition?

An Ipad 2 (which is inferior hardware wise), with data, with 32GB of storage is $729. That's without a SD card reader (ever), without flash (ever) and without 4G (ever). It also has no usb, an inferior screen, slower (debatable) processor, less RAM, worse cameras, and is locked down. Now, given all of this, how is a product that is $70 more (for now) a bad deal, with all those extra features, and even more features coming soon?

I understand the lack of apps argument. But, really? Android 3.0 has been out for just a few weeks, do you expect the developers to have the same amount of apps out for it as the Ipad, that's been out for over a year? really? Are you all REALLY that impatient? It's not like the thing has NO apps at all, and that you can't run non-Android 3.0 apps on it! And more and more are added DAILY.

Also, the Flash argument. Let's get this straight: You dislike the Xoom because a third party APP isn't available for it YET? And the competition will NEVER have it? And yet this is somehow a huge detriment worth pissing and moaning about?

While slight UI lag is annoying, again, this is software that has been out for barely a month. Do we expect perfection with software that new? Are you really that convinced it won't improve shortly that you are returning a perfectly capable product?

I see complaints that iOS is superior because it doesn't allow widgets and animated background and therefor is smoother? Here's an idea if you don't like widgets and animated backgrounds sucking up cpu cycles: DON'T USE THEM! There, problem solved. For the rest of us, we ENJOY that freedom.

It really sounds like Apple has hired a bunch of goons to go amplify every shortcoming way out of proportion of a device that is superior in most ways except for software maturity (for now). Comon people, have a little bit of foresight.

Someone, please give me a good review that provides more negatives that these same these fickle and shortsighted 'problems' over and over and over again.

 

[FFR]

I'm looking at getting a Xoom right now, and have been reading a lot of reviews. To be quite honest, I don't understand the price argument, or really, most of the complaints here.

I see multiple people saying that $800 for a Xoom is too much, especially without a working SD card reader, 4G and no Flash.

May I ask this: Have you compared this with the competition?

An Ipad 2 (which is inferior hardware wise), with data, with 32GB of storage is $729. That's without a SD card reader (ever), without flash (ever) and without 4G (ever). It also has no usb, an inferior screen, slower (debatable) processor, less RAM, worse cameras, and is locked down. Now, given all of this, how is a product that is $70 more (for now) a bad deal, with all those extra features, and even more features coming soon?

I understand the lack of apps argument. But, really? Android 3.0 has been out for just a few weeks, do you expect the developers to have the same amount of apps out for it as the Ipad, that's been out for over a year? really? Are you all REALLY that impatient? It's not like the thing has NO apps at all, and that you can't run non-Android 3.0 apps on it! And more and more are added DAILY.

Also, the Flash argument. Let's get this straight: You dislike the Xoom because a third party APP isn't available for it YET? And the competition will NEVER have it? And yet this is somehow a huge detriment worth pissing and moaning about?

While slight UI lag is annoying, again, this is software that has been out for barely a month. Do we expect perfection with software that new? Are you really that convinced it won't improve shortly that you are returning a perfectly capable product?

I see complaints that iOS is superior because it doesn't allow widgets and animated background and therefor is smoother? Here's an idea if you don't like widgets and animated backgrounds sucking up cpu cycles: DON'T USE THEM! There, problem solved. For the rest of us, we ENJOY that freedom.

It really sounds like Apple has hired a bunch of goons to go amplify every shortcoming way out of proportion of a device that is superior in most ways except for software maturity (for now). Comon people, have a little bit of foresight.

Someone, please give me a good review without all these fickle and shortsighted 'problems'.

I completely agree software maturity or stability should be the last priority.
i too would like to see more reviews that focus less on the software and more on the hardware, its not like its missing any hardware features.

 

[djfujiyama]

Oh don't get me wrong. I love the hardware (short of it being a bit heavy). It's actually the software that I'm dissatisfied with.

Yes, "dissatisfied."

That doesn't mean I think the product is inferior to the ipad. It doesn't mean I think everyone else should follow suit.

But for ME, my needs in this specific area/time frame are best met with an iPad.

Right now for a tablet I need stability, speed, availability of apps, availability of wifi-only models, availability of accessories, compatibility with ad hoc wifi hotspots, and a silky-smooth touch interface (nothing short of WM7 can match the iphone/ipad's responsiveness right now).

Conversely, in my smartphone I need 4g, customization, root wifi tethering, a hardware keyboard, and tight google services integration. Hence, my Epic.

 

[blueselvedge]

an inferior screen,

i stopped reading at this part. i really dont see how anyone can think that the screen is better on the xoom. maybe you like dull/washed out colors?

 

[xzigraz]

i stopped reading at this part. i really dont see how anyone can think that the screen is better on the xoom. maybe you like dull/washed out colors?

I do notice that the video playback from Youtube is not as good when I was trying to play it on the iPad, however, I believe with driver updates and Honeycomb fine tune, this will all be resolved.

About the price, I think the reason why all think the cost doesn't justified the product we purchase at this time is because why do we even need the 4G function? After all, that's the only thing different from the current model and the Wifi only version. For android user, all we need to do is hotspot our phone to share the data to use it on the go. You may argue that it's convenient to have a built in 4G radio because you don't need to enable hotspots, but for me, I take Subway from home to work and there is no signal underground. I have wifi at home and at work. If I go to a park, I'd be enjoy the weather and throw some balls or something. If I happen to be at a beach and wanting to browse internet, then I'd use my phone's hotspot. But how often do I go to beach? 1-2 times a year?

My point is since we are already spoiled by Google to share connections between our devices, why do we need to pay a more expansive production and pay another data plan to do something that we might not frequently use?

So XOOM wifi is my choice and I will wait until the end of this month. I just hope they have SD card/Flash updated when they ship the Wifi version.

Also, I have been frequently visiting my local BestBuy to play with this beauty, but I can't justify my impulse buy. Maybe Motorola isn't doing a very good marketing job because otherwise I'd be getting it already.

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

Preamble: I love Android. I liked my Xoom. I liked Honeycomb.

I just couldn't justify my scarce $800 on the Xoom. I'm just waiting a month or so to hear more about the WiFi only version and this new Sprint Tab (since I'm a long time Sprint guy).

Also, I figure in a few months, prices will drop, many Honeycomb kinks will be ironed out, 4G/SD card issues will be resolved, and other competitors will release tabs, which is always good for competition.

Preemptive strike: NO I will NOT get an iDouche 2 lol.

In all honesty, I liked but not loved the Xoom. As much as I hate to say it, it felt like a pre release product. I look forward to Honeycomb exploding vastly soon though and maturing.

Just my thoughts for the day.

BB

PS - Had $100 BB gift card so I picked up Fight Night Champion. #sweet

It is very much a pre-release product. You should've known that going in. It isn't as if anything was hidden. When the release date was announced, it was made rather clear that the device would need to be upgraded later so that it will work on Verizon's 4g lte. We also knew that it would be the first thing to use Honeycomb.

I like my Xoom. I definitely like it better than my ipad. I'm keeping mine.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

i stopped reading at this part. i really dont see how anyone can think that the screen is better on the xoom. maybe you like dull/washed out colors?

First, troll alert! I just say it as I see it, after looking at your history of comments.

Second, just tun up the brigjtness of the screen. Apple drives the LEDS at 100%, as a matter of course. If you up the brigjtness in the XOOM, the experience will be similar. Of course the screen on the XOOM is higher resolution, but other than that, it will be equivalent.

I'm an ex-Apple guy. Had the first three iPhones. Moved to Andriod last April. Android is better, period.

Stop trolling.