Motorola Xoom (WiFi) Users Receiving 3.2.1 HTK55D Update Now

Motorola Xoom (WiFi) users are reporting that a mysterious update is being pushed to their device’s today. We received a Phantip from one of our readers letting us know of his Xoom prompting him of the Android 3.2.1 build HTK55D update. While we have yet to see of a changelog from Motorola, according to the boys on XDA this is some kind of bootloader maintenance update so be careful if you’re rooted. If you haven’t yet been notified jump into your Settings About Tablet System Updates and it should be waiting for you. Have any of our reader successfully updated? Notice any improvements or any kind of weirdness?

Thanks, Christopher!

Motorola XOOM Android ‘Honeycomb’ 3.2.1 Update On Its Way Now

While there are many different high-powered Android ‘Honeycomb’ powered tablets on the market some stick out far ahead of the rest. One such example is the Motorola XOOM which was, in fact, the first Android ‘Honeycomb’ powered tablet to hit the market. This device features things such as an NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor and even the ability to, once upgraded, link up with Verizon’s high-speed 4G LTE network.

However, the real beauty of the device is the fact that the Android ‘Honeycomb’ platform by which it is run will forever be upgraded, updated and improved upon. Today seems to be one of those fateful days as it was just made known that the Android ‘Honeycomb’ 3.2.1 update has begun rolling out for the Motorola XOOM.

What does this update bring, you ask? Unfortunately, not much other than some bug fixes and performance improvements. Of course, this is definitely a welcome addition as a better working device equals a happier consumer.

Rumoured Motorola Xoom 2 details: 10.1-inch screen, 9.9mm thick, syncs wirelessly

Details of the successor to Motorola’s Xoom tablet are coming in thick and fast at the moment, with multiple rumours suggesting that a Xoom 2 is a sure thing.

ThisIsMyNext's "trusted source" pegs the Xoom 2 at just 9mm thick with an HD 10.1-inch screen. The device apparently packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, has an 11 hour battery life, and boasts the capacity to capture 1080p video.

A built-in IR blaster is also rumoured to be part of the package, while accessories include a keyboard case attachment and a stylus pen for the device.

Furthermore, it’s suggested that the Xoom 2 will be the first tablet to ship with Adobe Flash Player 11, and that US customers will be able to stream Netflix in HD to the device.

Rumour has it that Motorola is also working on software that will enable users to wirelessly sync the Xoom 2 to their PC, which would certainly be convenient.

A leaner version of the Xoom 2, dubbed the Xoom 2 Media Edition, packing an 8.2-inch screen, has also been outed by ThisIsMyNext. The device is being billed as an e-reader replacement.

Finally, Engadget has a few more details to add to the mix, claiming that both the current Xoom 2 prototypes use the Android 3.2 operating system and have rear-mounted 5MP cameras.

Before you get too excited, the word on the street is that these prototypes are currently buggy and unfinished, meaning that release could be a way off yet. Still, if details keep emerging at the current rate we’ll know everything there is to know about Motorola’s entire product line-up by next Thursday.

Motorola Xoom 2 Two Size Tabs Get Pictured

The old Android Honeycomb Motorola Xoom slate has been around for a while now, and we know there will be a successor to the Xoom, a device that will of course be known as the Motorola Xoom 2, but apparently the Motorola Xoom 2 will come in two sizes, an 8-inch and 10-inch model and those have just posed for a couple of pictures.

The images and info on both Motorola Xoom 2 slates come our way courtesy of the guys over at Android Community by way of Engadget who got them from an unnamed tipster that confirmed both slates would be 4G LTE enabled.

Apparently both the 8-inch and 10-inch Motorola Xoom 2 will be roughly 9.3mm in thickness, which is about the same thickness as the iPhone 4, and word is both slates have the same codename “Fleming.” Word is they may come out with Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS but then again if Android Ice Cream Sandwich is available by their release they may surface with that.

It’s unclear whether Motorola will push out both sizes, but why produce them if not to get out to the public. However apparently word has it the operating systems on these are still somewhat on the buggy side with frequent crashes and reboots.

Other than that there isn’t a great deal more information on these two other than we learn from the pictures that they will both sport a 5 megapixel rear camera along with a 2 megapixel front facing camera.

Obviously at this stage of the game there’s no clue as to when these Android tablets will be ready to come out and play, but naturally as soon as we hear more we will of course pass it along, until then enjoy the images.

Any of our Android faithful readers hoping to pick up a new Motorola Xoom 2 slate once these hit the mobile space?

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Motorola Xoom vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Tablet showdown

Tablets are clearly one of the hottest tech categories in 2011, and the emerging slate market shows no sign of slowing down. Apple's iPad 2 is clearly the market leader, but there are plenty of credible alternatives. Two of the most popular are the Motorola Xoom, and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. What's all the fuss about the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and how does it compare to the Motorola Xoom?

Read our comprehensive Motorola Xoom review and our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 review, and check out our guide to the best upcoming tablets in 2011.

The Motorola Xoom was one of the first tablets to establish itself as a credible iPad alternative, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is thinner and lighter than the iPad 2. The Galaxy Tab has not yet launched in Australia but has already cause quite the stir: Apple has blocked it from going on sale in Australia and forced Samsung to postpone the launch event.

With this in mind, how does the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 stack up against the Motorola Xoom when it comes to specifications?

Motorola Xoom vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Specifications

Design

The Motorola Xoom Android tablet features an attractive, industrial-looking black metal finish on the back and sides, and a front that is taken up almost entirely by the 10.1in touchscreen. The Xoom is clearly designed to be used more in landscape mode than it is in portrait, though it can be rotated using a built-in accelerometer. At 730g, the Xoom is significantly heavier, thicker and larger than the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which may be a deal-breaker for those who want to lug their tablet around with them.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is just 8.6mm thick, making it thin enough to be described by Samsung at the time of its launch as "the world's thinnest mobile tablet". That's ever so slightly thinner than the 8.8mm thick iPad 2. Although a mere 0.2mm doesn't seem like a deal breaker if you're comparing it directly to the iPad 2, the Galaxy Tab 10.1's weight of just 565g is a big deal. The lightweight design makes it easy to use single-handedly, and very comfortable to hold for long periods, unlike the Xoom.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is just 8.6mm thick, and weighs a mere 565g, making it much thinner and lighter than the Motorola Xoom.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet is constructed largely from plastic, but still manages to feel extremely well built. The materials used are of a high quality, right from the glossy black bezel surrounding the display, to the soft-feeling, rubber-style plastic that adorns the rear, and the stylish curved edges.

Display

The Motorola Xoom has a 10.1in capacitive touchscreen display with a 1280x800 resolution. For general use indoors the display produces vibrant colour, but its glossy surface makes it very tough to see in direct sunlight, and viewing angles aren't great. We also found that text wasn't as crisp or clear as we'd like — particularly when reading books, or long articles on the Web. Importantly, the Xoom's display is responsive to touch, and doesn't feel sticky when swiping.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has the same sized 10.1in display as the Xoom, and an identical resolution of 1280x800 pixels, but it uses PLS TFT touchscreen technology. Samsung says that the inclusion of PLS (Plane-line-switching) technology gives the Galaxy Tab 10.1 better viewing angles and increased brightness compared with regular IPS screens. For most part that's true, as the Galaxy Tab 10.1's screen is bright and crisp, and can be clearly seen from even the most obscure angles. Sadly, the screen can't escape a common issue with most tablets: it quickly becomes a grubby mess after use. It also has poor sunlight legibility, reflects fluorescent lighting in an office environment.

Motorola Drops Price Of iPad 2 Rival Tablet To £299.99

The Motorola XOOM tablet has become the cheapest of the Honeycomb tablets on the market thanks to a 24-hour sale from online retailer Play.com.

At £299.99, the device is nearly £100 cheaper than the cheapest iPad 2 available and yet it offers twice the amount of onboard storage.

With the Motorola XOOM 2 expected to be launched imminently, it seems to make sense for Motorola (and Google) to start getting rid of existing stock without going crazy and "doing a TouchPad".

Like the rest of its competitors, the XOOM comes with the Nvidia Tegra 2 SoC clocked at 1GHz, 1GB RAM, 32GB onboard storage, a 10.1-inch 1280x800 pixel capacitive touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB connectivity, a microSD card slot, GPS, two cameras plus a battery that can power the tablet for up to 10 hours.

The latest Honeycomb update means that the tablet can now run version 3.2 of Google's mobile platform. The XOOM originally carried a suggested retail price of £480.

That said, it is not the cheapest dual core tablet on the market; the Hannspree Hannspad costs around half the price of the XOOM but comes with 512MB RAM, a 1024x600 pixel screen, Gingerbread and only one camera.

More Pictures Of 10-inch Motorola XOOM 2 Tablet Surfaces

A few more pictures of the 10-inch version of the Motorola XOOM 2 have emerged online courtesy of Engadget.

The tablet is apparently just as thin as the iPhone 4 at around 9.3mm and will come with 4G LTE connectivity although Wi-Fi only models are likely to be in the pipeline as well.

It is not known whether the tablet will feature the newest quad core Kal El SoC from Nvidia or yet another design win for TI's OMAP4 family; Thisismynext says that it will run at 1.2GHz with 11 hours battery life.

Engadget's pictures show that there's a front and rear camera and that the tablet design is quite different from that of the original Motorola XOOM possibly to pre-empt any potential design-related lawsuit from Apple.

The anonymous source who provided with the picture also claims that the tablets are currently running on Android 3.2 Honeycomb and are "buggy as hell" which is not what you'd expect from a minor udate.

Still the original XOOM - which also runs Android 3.2 - is likely to fall in price as stocks are cleared, making it  a rather attractive alternative to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 or the iPad 2.

The XOOM 2 will almost certainly keep the same 10.1-inch 1280x800 pixels touchscreen, the same cameras, that microSD card slot, the same amount of onboard RAM but with less storage (16GB vs 32GB) to keep costs low.