Does anyone have this new tablet? I'm giving it a test run, having gotten a hold of the 3G+WiFi version. Right now, I'm trying to figure out how to sync my music and videos onto it. Problem is that I use Zune Marketplace, and not iTunes. And I use the Zune Pass (unlimited downloads for $15/mo). So a lot of songs are DRM-equipped. Has anyone found a way that I can sync those songs, and if my subscription expires, I cannot play it (like it does on my Zune player?) Video wise, it looks like the problem there is that I need to transcode it into MPEG-4 or one of the video codes it recognizes.
If anyone's wondering, the camera(s) work great. The front 5 megapixel cam is great for taking pictures, and taking 730p video. Built in mic does a fairly good job at picking up voice and sounds.
Picture quality looks great to me, comparable, if not better, than the iPad. I think most reviewers said they're about the same. Either way, it looks fine to me. Crisp, bright, and clear.
Sound quality is surprisingly alright. Though the placement is a confusion (two speakers in the rear, facing AWAY), they actually have two smaller speakers built for each rear speaker. So the iPad has like 1watt speaker, the Xoom has 4x2watt speakers. Testing the sound on the pre-installed music, as well as youtube videos, and music apps, they're comparable to what you may get on a laptop. Using earbuds, the sound comes in crisp and clear, even at the high volumes (little sound distortion).
Issues: The software. Honeycomb is still maturing for it, and I think by summer, it will begin to hit full stride. The 4G LTE from Verizon should be available by then, as well as Flash 10.2. In at least one case, there's an app that acts as a work-around, so you can actually view/play flash videos, even though it's not "officially" installed on the Xoom.
It is pricey. The version I got is $800 unsubsidized, $600 with a 2 yr contract from Verizon for the 3G data plan. Good news is that it's not as bad as you may think but it can still be pricey. Those of who work for companies usually are able to get a corporate discount from Verizon. The one for me would be 19% off per month, in addition for any accessories I buy. So in effect, my phone txt & data plan as gone up about $25/mo.
I'll let you know of anything else I discovered while testing this tablet out.
If anyone's wondering, the camera(s) work great. The front 5 megapixel cam is great for taking pictures, and taking 730p video. Built in mic does a fairly good job at picking up voice and sounds.
Picture quality looks great to me, comparable, if not better, than the iPad. I think most reviewers said they're about the same. Either way, it looks fine to me. Crisp, bright, and clear.
Sound quality is surprisingly alright. Though the placement is a confusion (two speakers in the rear, facing AWAY), they actually have two smaller speakers built for each rear speaker. So the iPad has like 1watt speaker, the Xoom has 4x2watt speakers. Testing the sound on the pre-installed music, as well as youtube videos, and music apps, they're comparable to what you may get on a laptop. Using earbuds, the sound comes in crisp and clear, even at the high volumes (little sound distortion).
Issues: The software. Honeycomb is still maturing for it, and I think by summer, it will begin to hit full stride. The 4G LTE from Verizon should be available by then, as well as Flash 10.2. In at least one case, there's an app that acts as a work-around, so you can actually view/play flash videos, even though it's not "officially" installed on the Xoom.
It is pricey. The version I got is $800 unsubsidized, $600 with a 2 yr contract from Verizon for the 3G data plan. Good news is that it's not as bad as you may think but it can still be pricey. Those of who work for companies usually are able to get a corporate discount from Verizon. The one for me would be 19% off per month, in addition for any accessories I buy. So in effect, my phone txt & data plan as gone up about $25/mo.
I'll let you know of anything else I discovered while testing this tablet out.
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