Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and XYBOARD 8.2 hands-on
Motorola’s first-gen XOOM launched with plenty of promise at the beginning of the year, but Honeycomb – and some expensive data plans from Verizon – left the Android alternative to the iPad looking less than appealing. Now Motorola’s second attempt at the segment, the XYBOARD 10.1 and XYBOARD 8.2, have arrived, fresh to the SlashGear test bench with new angular styling, faster processors and some special features that might at least give new tablet shoppers an idea what exactly to use big-screen slates for. Read on for our first impressions.
With these second-generation tablets, Motorola has addressed some of its early criticism. The aluminum rear on both the 10.1-inch and the 8.2-inch tablets feels great and is flex-free, with a pleasing matte finish that makes it almost as easy to grip as the rubberized edges. Unfortunately Motorola didn’t listen to the almost universal criticism of its power button placement on the first-gen XOOM, and in fact opted to make it even smaller this time around.
Still, up front is a new IPS display running at 1280 x 800 on both models, and it’s a vast improvement. Viewing angles, brightness and resilience to glare are all improved, making for slates that are far more useful for watching videos, browsing the web and gaming. Unfortunately, ASUS has moved the Android tablet display market on somewhat, with its IPS+ panel being better still than either of Motorola’s screens, but as long as you don’t look at them all side-by-side you shouldn’t be too disappointed.
The 10.1-inch XYBOARD feels familiar in the hand, being a relatively standard size; the 8.2-inch version is slightly smaller, at 216 x 139.8 x 8.99 mm and 390g, and makes for a more comfortable one-handed experience. That’s particularly useful when in portrait orientation, the XYBOARD 8.2 making for a solid ereader and news reader with apps like Google Currents and Pulse.
Problem is, Motorola and Verizon have rushed to get the two XYBOARD models on the market before the all-important holiday sales period, and that means they fall in-between another big milestone: the arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS). Currently officially available on only the Galaxy Nexus, ICS promises to polish away Honeycomb’s rough edges, streamline its judders and generally bring it further up to compete with Apple’s iPad.
A competitive price would challenge that, but Verizon seems determined to squeeze as much in data fees as possible from its tablet customers. Both XYBOARD models support 4G LTE for high-speed mobile data, but you’ll pay considerably over the length of a two-year agreement for it. Factor in at least $429.99 upfront, too.
Still, there’s the possibility that the tablets themselves could prove sufficiently engaging that we’d opt to buy now and wait for ICS later. We’ll be putting them both through their paces in time for the full SlashGear review, but until then enjoy our hands-on image gallery (video coming soon)!
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- Verizon XyBoard 4G LTE tablets confirmed for December
- White DROID RAZR arrives for the holidays
- XOOM 2/Droid Xyboard could hit AT&T with modem unlock
- Motorola DROID XYBOARD 8.2 press photo leaked, name appears official
- Verizon DROID XYBOARD 8.2 and 10.1 official
- Verizon DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 go on sale
- DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 in stores today at some Verizon locations
- Xoom 2 contract pricing surfaces
Motorola DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and XYBOARD 8.2 hands-on is written by Vincent Nguyen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2011, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Microsoft to allow open source apps in Windows 8 Store, unlike Apple
Here’s another point racked up by the open source community. Microsoft has plans to allow applications licensed under the Open Source Initiative license in the Windows 8 app store, whenever it comes out, that is. We reported just a couple days ago that the Windows 8 public beta is slated to be released this upcoming February (in two months). Furthermore, the Open Source Initiative license has the upper hand over the Microsoft Standard Application License Terms, namely the restriction on sharing applications.
“Apps that are released under an Open Source Initiative-recognised open source licence can, at least in the pre-release version of the Windows Store, be distributed according to terms that contradict Microsoft’s Standard Application License Terms if this is required by the open source licence. Among other things, the Standard Application License Terms prohibit the sharing of applications.”
Microsoft released more details about the upcoming Windows Store earlier this week. Also, ZDNet reports that “Metro-style applications will be licensable, marketable and downloadable from the Windows 8 Store. Non-Metro-style Desktop Apps will only be marketable from inside the store, with links provided to developers’ sites for sales/downloads.”
This legal loophole may potentially benefit open-source developers in avoiding the impediments encountered by some who were frustrated and hindered by Apple’s much more restrictive App Store ‘terms and conditions’. What’s strange about this whole action taken by Microsoft? That it was accomplished almost completely under the radar, almost as if Microsoft doesn’t want to promote the fact that they’re allowing open source apps in the upcoming Windows 8 Store. Readers, any thoughts as to why? Feel free to leave your comments below.
[via ZDNet]
Relevant Entries on SlashGear.com
- Microsoft wants 30% cut on Windows 8 Metro apps
- Microsoft May Allow More Open-Source Apps In Windows Phone Marketplace Later On
- Windows 8 Metro apps restricted to Microsoft’s own store
- Leaked screens of Windows 8 App Store were fakes
- Screenshots of Windows 8 App Store leak
- Windows Marketplace tips up a day early
- Microsoft set to open Windows Café in Paris
- Microsoft remote software “kill switch” confirmed
Microsoft to allow open source apps in Windows 8 Store, unlike Apple is written by Paul Fang & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2011, SlashGear. All right reserved.
AMD readying competing “ultrathin” platform to Intel ultrabooks
In an interview today, The head of AMD Australia and New Zealand, Brian Slattery, revealed that AMD’s competing platform to Intel’s ultrathin ultrabooks could debut as soon as next month, which pegs it very likely at this year’s CES. Dubbing them “ultrathins” (in a possible endeavor to avoid any naming conflicts with the other named microprocessor company), Slattery stated that processors for ultrathin, yet fast computing would be ready soon. and “while the company hasn’t said specifically what processors it’ll be using, some variant of the Fusion APU, which AMD announced last January, seems likely.”
The design of AMD’s upcoming ultrathin line is most likely to utilize AMD’s Fusion APU concept, which puts integrated Radeon HD graphics into the processing unit itself, not unlike Intel’s recent Sandy Bridge and upcoming Ivy Bridge processors, which allows a fairly decent level of graphically-intensive work without the need for a power-hungry, dedicated video processing unit. Sandy Bridge has done very well for itself, shipping in some of the most recent Macbook lineups, like the newest Macbook Air, which features an Intel HD 3000 chipset for graphics. Can AMD up their game?
AMD hasn’t had a huge amount of success in the ultraportables market, having faced impediments so far as the processors themselves are more on par with netbooks than to the competing Core i5 and i7 chips Intel-based ultrabooks use. But the move to 28 nm CPU wafer technology may allow AMD to design and push out much more competitive processors, and give currently Intel-only companies another option to choose from.
[via The Verge]
Relevant Entries on SlashGear.com
- HP ad for Ultrabook computer surfaces, HP thinness inbound?
- Samsung readying one Ultrabook in house and outsourcing another
- Intel says no to notebook makers request for 50% Ultrabook CPU price cut
- Intel rumored to be working on Thunderbolt Ultrabook dock
- Asus Ultrabooks to be called Zenbooks
- Intel grabs Telmap for cross-platform AppUp location services
- Intel to show Windows 8 tablets, ultrabooks at Build
- HP Ultrabook to hit market before Asus UX21?
AMD readying competing “ultrathin” platform to Intel ultrabooks is written by Paul Fang & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2011, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Facebook testing private messaging for Facebook Pages
It’s just been confirmed by communications agency WeAreSocial.sg that Facebook has started testing a feature that allows people to communicate privately with Facebook Pages. Which sounds a bit like what, well, a Twitter page does. Just a couple months ago, we reported that Facebook added a subscribe button, also a very Twitter-like addition to sites (akin to their follow button). Do we see a trend here, or is Twitter doing all the right things, and Facebook is just naturally gravitating towards optimal user interface elements?
This “Private Messages for Pages” feature would be a welcomed advantage for Facebook Pages who aren’t particularly inclined to interact with customer service matters directly on their public Walls. However, sending a private message doesn’t then trigger a News Feed update, so pages might miss out on the potentially positive effects that would come from a person’s Facebook friends noticing the posting. From the screenshots from WeAreSocial.sg depicted here, we can see that Page owners can choose whether or not to accept private messages, and people can utilize the messages feature whether they’ve liked a Page, or if they haven’t.
WeAreSocial.sg states that this new private messaging feature is currently only available in Asia, which may suggest that, like Facebook Timeline, this may be roll out to the West, soon enough. So those who may find this feature useful just have to sit and wait it out. Like Timeline, it may take awhile, we’ll see.
[via ReadWriteWeb]
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- Twitter brand pages aim for Google+ and Facebook
- Facebook Messenger replaces Beluga starting November 11
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Facebook testing private messaging for Facebook Pages is written by Paul Fang & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2011, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Verizon Galaxy Nexus With Official Extended Battery Caught In The Wild [Pics]
The Galaxy Nexus is almost upon us (we’re now hearing the 20th) and if you were looking to do some serious gaming or streaming as soon as you get your hands on the device, you’ve probably considered forking over the cash for the official 2100mAh extended battery. Definitely not the behemoth batteries were normally used to (see HTC Rezound) , the Galaxy Nexus extended battery is more slim and stylish. Just how much extra thickness are we talking about here? Well, check out the pictures below to see for yourself!
What do you guys think? Does the extended battery add too much junk in the trunk? Or is the slightly added thickness and $50 price tag worth having a few extra hours of data streaming?
[Via Droid-Life]
Dish Network Wants To Take A Crack At T-Mobile If AT&T Merger Fails
Dish Network is reportedly eying T-Mobile should their merger with AT&T fail. In an interview with with Bloomberg, Dish Network’s CEO Joseph Clayton revealed that if Dish could combine their network with T-Mobile’s, they could have enough spectrum to compete with the top dogs: Verizon and AT&T.
"We’re not interested in making money on selling our spectrum. We want to use it to create a national wireless network, video, voice and data. We’ve got expertise in satellite-TV, and we will in satellite broadband. The voice part, we’ll need some help with."
If the T-Mobile/AT&T merger fails, I have a feeling we’ll see a lot more companies like Dish Network come out of the woodwork and attempt to pick up the scraps.
[BGR]
New Pantech P4100 Tablet Hits The FCC – Appears Be Headed To AT&T With 4G LTE
A mysterious new tablet from Pantech has just hit the FCC today. Not much is known on the P4100, other than it is rumored to have a 7-inch display, Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core processor and come running Android 3.2 Honeycomb. According to the FCC filing, the device will have 4G LTE connectivity — of the AT&T variety — letting us know exactly where we can expect this tablet to arrive. The only thing left for Pantech is to release a smaller smartphone version of this tablet with the same specs (like the Pantech Vega Racer back in their homeland). We’ll keep you guys posted on pricing and availability as we learn more.
[Via WirelessGoodness]
Some Verizon Wireless Customers Receiving $100 Off Future Galaxy Nexus (No Mailer Required)
We told you guys about the $100-off any 4G smartphone mailer that Verizon Wireless was sending out to customers a few days ago. Well, now we’ve been receiving quite a few reports of some lucky Verizon Wireless customers who were able to snag — and reserve — that $100-off promotion for their future Galaxy Nexus purchase and get this… no mailer required! I know, it sounds crazy and we’ve been trying to get in touch with our Verizon contact to get all the details but we’ve been hearing that it could have something to do with getting customers off their old 3G phone and into a 4G one. All it takes is a simple call and you could be grabbing a Galaxy Nexus this holiday season for only $200. Not too bad at all.
Still no word on exactly what regions this promotion is available in with one rep saying only the northeast and midwest but it wont hurt to call and ask Verizon for yourself. A few minutes of your time could save you $100. Good luck!
HTC Throwing “Chill With Us” Party In Hollywood, CA – Open To The Public!
HTC is throwing another one of their famous meet-up parties in beautiful Hollywood, CA this Wednesday, December 14th at the Lexington Social House. Simply titled, “Chill With Us,” HTC throws these parties just about every year as a way of giving back and having a good time with the fans that helped make them a success. There will be free food, drinks and plenty of schmoozing. Here’s what HTC had to say on their Facebook page:
…on a wintery night and enjoy the very best in sound and sight.
We’ll be hosting a party at the Lexington Social House with bites and cocktails for all.
And, of course, there will be the latest HTC phones on display for those of you with dreams of megapixels dancing in your heads
RSVP in the upper right and plan to bring friends.
Ages 18 and up
Doors open at 7pm. There is no entry fee and all HTC asks is you RSVP on their Facebook page if you plan on attending. I went last year and had an awesome time meeting new Android peeps from around the So Cal area. Anyone plan on making the trip this year?
[Facebook]
FBI may be using Carrier IQ for “law enforcement purposes”
The scandal involving the data and location tracking software called Carrier IQ that’s been installed on more than 140 million phones may now involve the FBI. In refusing a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Muckrock, the FBI has inadvertently revealed that it may have been using the Carrier IQ software for law enforcement purposes.
The Muckrock FOIA request asked the FBI for “manuals, documents or other written guidance used to access or analyze data gathered by programs developed or deployed by Carrier IQ.” In response, the FBI denied any disclosures stating that any information it revealed could jeopardize ongoing investigations. Muckrock is seeking to appeal the FBI’s decision.
Although the FBI’s statement doesn’t confirm that it has indeed been scanning the data collected by Carrier IQ in any of its law enforcement proceedings, it appears that they do have something on file that could either affect current legal cases involving the use of the data or affect the current investigation of Carrier IQ.
Carrier IQ has denied that its software collects information like text messages or web browsing histories. This seems to be true according to analysis of the software by third-party security researchers. However, the software does log the phone’s dialer, URLs entered, and GPS locations.
[via Forbes]
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- Carrier IQ tracking turns into wiretapping suit against it, Samsung ,and HTC
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- FTC asked to open investigation of Carrier IQ
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FBI may be using Carrier IQ for “law enforcement purposes” is written by Rue Liu & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2011, SlashGear. All right reserved.