Newbie Question For Xoom

[wburleson]

Hi, I will be getting an Xoom next week and have a couple of questions:

1. Android Market (AM) - I have an Epic phone, can I use the same AM account for my Xoom? If so how do I get AM to download "My Apps" to the XOOM or do I have to re-download them. This is for both paid and free apps.

2. Same as #1 but for the Google Apps Market

3. Can I use my Epic to tether with the Xoom? If so how does this work? The Epic is not rooted

4. What things should I check for when I fisrt get my Xoom, e,g, screen diming, bad pixicls, etc.

5. Can you send & rec'd SMS messages with Xoom WiFi? If so do you need an AM app to do it.

Thanks

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Hi, I will be getting an Xoom next week and have a couple of questions:

1. Android Market (AM) - I have an Epic phone, can I use the same AM account for my Xoom? If so how do I get AM to download "My Apps" to the XOOM or do I have to re-download them. This is for both paid and free apps.

You'll have access to all the apps you have on your phone. You do not have to install all of them on your XOOM. The market will know what hardware you have. When you download an app, it will show which hardware it is compatible with.

2. Same as #1 but for the Google Apps Market

?? Google Apps are for computers (desktop/notebook/netbook).

3. Can I use my Epic to tether with the Xoom? If so how does this work? The Epic is not rooted

If you are not rooted, you'll need to purchase tethering capabilities from your provider.

That being said, I have seen some references to a free non-root solution to tethering, but they only work for some phones/carriers. Maybe someone with an Epic can answer.

4. What things should I check for when I fisrt get my Xoom, e,g, screen diming, bad pixicls, etc.

Screen dimming is automatic. If you don't like what you see, change the settings. Of course check for bad pixels, but I highly doubt you'd see any right out of the box. These devices have to pass an outgoing inspection, after all. But give it a "once over" for fit and finish and use the heck out of it the first 24 hours you have it... just to get any infant mortality issues/worries behind you.

5. Can you send & rec'd SMS messages with Xoom WiFi? If so do you need an AM app to do it.

Sorry, I'm on a 3G. Can't answer this question.

 

[yodatom10]

5. U can look into something like quick or tango might do it.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[neurotic one]

5. there are a few paid apps for this. sync sms is one of the more popular ones. try googling for more info.

 

[erzhik]

5. GTalk is your friend. Works flawlessly, even though not true sms. WiFi won't do native SMS, only 3rd party apps like GTalk, Tango, etc.

 

[slackerjack]

Hi, I will be getting an Xoom next week and have a couple of questions:

1. Android Market (AM) - I have an Epic phone, can I use the same AM account for my Xoom? If so how do I get AM to download "My Apps" to the XOOM or do I have to re-download them. This is for both paid and free apps.

2. Same as #1 but for the Google Apps Market

Really the same question - yes, if you use the Google account tied to your phone you will have access to any applications you have purchased. Two things on this:

1. Remember, "your account" only keeps track of things that you paid for, not including things like" Angry Birds (free), any other free-ware apps, and Flash (for example) - you will still have access to them - but will more than likely have to go do a search and install them, unless...

2. You use "Backup my device" which is an option you'll be prompted with as soon as you begin the setup process. Essentially what you're asking the system to do is replicate your Google account and settings on your new device - for me that included installing ALL of my phone apps and even my phone wallpaper (which did admittidly look a little silly on my tablet) - it's up to you, but I don't typically use this option as I'm bad about uninstalling apps that I don't use and end up restoring a bunch of junk that I'll have to re-uninstall later

3. Can I use my Epic to tether with the Xoom? If so how does this work? The Epic is not rooted

Is your Epic on 2.2 (Froyo) - if so I believe that should have given you access to "free mobile hotspot" options unless something is different on Sprint and they disallow it. Became available on my Vibrant and Nexus as soon as I updated to Android 2.2 and it's free.

On this note, do be careful with data charges associated with leaving your tablet "tethered" all day long. Some apps, CNN for example, stream GOBS of data all day long regardless if you're using it or not. This is largely controlled by "sync" timing and like settings adjusted way back to minimize syncing...but do be forewarned that streaming movies from Google App store, Amazon's Prime Service and Crackle (and assumptivly Netflix/Hulu once they're officially supported) are going to suck up tons of bandwidth when running.

4. What things should I check for when I fisrt get my Xoom, e,g, screen diming, bad pixicls, etc.

Those things - but make sure you go look specifically at the Xoom before you purchase one in the store. The screen isn't a bright one - don't get home and find that out after you've purchased one. It's not a bad screen - but it does warrant a warning given that you'll be comparing it to your Epic (which has a very nice SAMOLED screen)

5. Can you send & rec'd SMS messages with Xoom WiFi? If so do you need an AM app to do it.

Thanks

You can - there's lots of app options to do so - mostly what I use (when I really need to) is Google Talk - but your mileage may vary and you might find something a little more slick and to your taste. But hey - it's Android - you have options!

Jack