Ice Cream Sandwich for Xoom is here (kinda)

Well it did not take long for the folks over at XDA and the Xoom Forums to hack the newly released ICS On to the Xoom. I, for one, will be waiting a bit on this one since I have really started to use my tablet more often than before and am currently only interested in the "real" release from Motorola. However if you want it here you go. Just be sure to have you SBF, nandroid, and app backups all in a row before you get started. Be warned there are a few shortcomings like the camera, HDMI, and connectivity issues.

Let us hope that the real ICS is just around the corner.

Get a new 4G Xoom for $200 - Black Friday only

Damn! What did I pay like $800? Good gravy I hate technology some days! Only at Verizon.

The Xoom 2's are here

Looks like there are (2) version a 10-inch Xoom 2 with built-in options for business users and an 8.2-inch Xoom 2 Media Edition. Both are powered by dual-core 1.2 GHz processors, run Android 3.2 Honeycomb, and have Wi-Fi connectivity. Both also have a 1.3 megapixel camera in front and a 5 MP camera on the back, both with digital zoom, auto focus, and LED flash. Both come with 1 gigabyte of RAM and 16 GB of storage. They are also supposed to be thinner and lighter than the original Xoom.

The smaller Xoom 2 Media Edition is geared more toward entertainment. The screen offers a 178 degree viewing angle to let more than one person watch movies or videos at the same time. Motorola claims a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance and has added virtual surround sound, turning the Media Edition into a gaming device. This model can also double as a remote control for TVs and other equipment courtesy of a pre-loaded remote control app. Battery life is rated at only around six hours per charge.

Popular Leather Xoom case on sale

This case used to be like $60 now it is $23 with great reviews! I just picked on up myself as this plastic one is getting annoying.

Got root on your 4G Xoom yet? I do

I will have to give it to Motorola I did get my Xoom back in 6 business days and it came back cleaner than it left. They also threw in a FREE docking station which is supposed to make up for the delay in getting the 4G upgrade out there I guess.

Anyway... after reading a few horror stories about folks rooting their new 4G Xoom in to a brick, some of the smart people over on the Xoom forums pointed to they fact that they were doing it wrong. You cannot use the old method. If you have the 4G upgrade with the new bootloader you need to do it this exact way with these exact files until the devs figure out to make it a bit cleaner.

Also for now, don't flash any other ROMs or kernels. If you flash anything else you might lose WiFi, 3G or 4G. Just sit tight for a few days while the devs get it straight.

Rooting and getting AdFree and Titanium Backup running is enough for me. Makes me happy to get all my old apps back just the way I left them. ;-)

What is really in the Xoom 4G upgrade

Click above image for official notes from Verizon but basically:

• Market update
• Fix for SIM card in Airplane mode
• OTA (Over The Air) upgrades do not break the market
• Book app upgraded
• Market Text now easier to read
• Market will update itself from now on
• Improvements in browser security
• Enhanced 3G/4G connectivity to help prevent stalls

Now that is the official line. Call me a sceptic but... I have a hard time believing that was it.

4G upgrade is more than that

Well it took me a while to get my box to send my Xoom back in for the 4G upgrade. I signed up first day but just got me upgrade box like 3 days ago. I still have 5 business days to wait. But anyway... Engadget is reporting that the lucky folks that did get them back are finding some extras.

What do you get? An upgrade to version 3.2.2 of Honeycomb, a FULLY functional SD card (full read/write access), and new firmware. What else, if anything, they snuck in there is unknown.

Motorola XOOM 4G LTE Upgrade request complete

And people thought this day would never come. I just logged in to this Verizon site. Punched in my MEID (located in Settings -> About Tablet -> Status) and they are sending my upgrade kit.

Edit: FedEx sent the confirmation almost right way!

Dear Valued Customer,

You have successfully submitted an online request to upgrade your Motorola XOOM to 4G LTE. Prior to shipping your device to Motorola for the upgrade, please carefully read the information below.

Your upgrade request has been placed under Tracking (RMA) Number XXXXXXXXXXX. Please keep this number for future reference.

Within a couple of days, you will receive a package containing the following material: - Getting Started Guide with step-by-step instructions for backing up and properly shipping your device - Federal Express Box with pre-paid shipping label sealed on the box and all necessary packing materials for you to securely ship your device back for the upgrade.

Carefully follow the instructions in the Getting Started Guide. Back-up all personal data on your device prior to sending it in for the upgrade, and follow the packing instructions to ensure your Motorola XOOM remains safe in transit. You will be without your device for approximately 5 business days from the time you ship your Motorola XOOM.

Kindle Fire

Want a dual core Android device/tablet that you can watch movies, read books, run apps, and browse the web on WiFi? Do not really need a camera, microphone, or 3G but is only $200? Here you go!



Not a bad deal really but... I will not be trading in my Xoom just yet ;-)

More Xoom 2 spy shots released

Looks like it will be about as thin as an iPhone, with more rounded corners, centered camera, better controls, and rumored to have 1.2 Ghz dual core processor, 1GB RAM, and enable 1080p video recording.

-Engadget

4G for the Xoom finally starting?

Droid Life is reporting that government and business Xoom customers are preparing for the upgrade.

This is kind of funny since I just wiped my Xoom this morning in order to will the 4G GODS to be ready to receive my unrooted and locked Xoom. I just had a feeling that this upgrade would be getting close. I you have a 3G Xoom and want the 4G upgrade be sure and sign up to be notified. I will of course post when I get notification here but only after I ship mine. The turn around will be about a week.

Click to expand:

3.2 upgrade coming out for the 4G model

Verizon Wireless has released the details for an update named HTJ85 that the carrier will be pushing out to 3G Motorola XOOM customers. The update details (PDF) show that the HTJ85 update really is the Android 3.2 Honeycomb update that 3G XOOM’s have been without waiting for, Android 3.2 will make the SD card slot that ships with the XOOM function.

Google originally released Android 3.2 to the public in late July, but only Wi-Fi Motorola XOOM’s in the U.S. have been able to enjoy the update thus far, as far as Motorola tablets are concerned.

In Google’s user features list for Android 3.2 there are only three major things that users will notice with 3.2 over 3.1 or 3.0. The new user features include better optimization for a wider range of tablets (screen sizes), media sync from an SD card is now supported, and there is a new Zoom to fill function that allows phone apps to be zoomed to fit a large tablet display.

Verizon Wireless will be adding same functionality of their own for their 3G XOOM customers. The HTJ85 update will bring the following:

• Adaptive streaming support which adjusts the bit rate of streaming video to perform better with various amounts of bandwidth.
• In rented movies the stability has been improved, and if users are viewing a movie on an external display over a HDMI connection the picture will automatically resize to fit the display better.
• There is a new Enterprise Authentication Service (EAS) policy option for password recovery.
• There have been improvements in Exchange ActiveSync and security.

As to when you (Verizon 3G Motorola XOOM owner) can expect to receive the HTJ85 update on your tablet Droid-Life says, “Our sources are under the impression that the update should start rolling out tomorrow, so Verizon XOOM owners will want to check in Settings>About tablet>System updates quite regularly over the next few days”.

Another 4G upgrade date for the Xoom

Be on the lookout at the end of summer for an email with information about how to upgrade your Motorola XOOM to speeds up to 10X faster than 3G. In the meantime, learn more about what you can do to prepare for the 4G LTE upgrade to your Motorola XOOM by backing up data, encrypting, or resetting your Motorola XOOM tablet.
4G LTE is now available to more than 110 million people across the country and coverage is expanding every day.

Xoom upgrade to 3.2 - SD card support!

So you’ve got a Wi-Fi only XOOM? Yes? You’re in luck! It appears that the shortly-awaited Android version 3.2 Honeycomb (one after the 3.1 that was pushed out right after this year’s Google I/O, that is,) is pushing out to Wi-Fi only XOOM owners now. This build code is HTJ85B, and you’ll have to go through the normal settings check to see if the update is available to you or not right this very moment!


From the emails we’ve received, it appears that the update is sweeping across the nation in no pattern whatsoever, instead hitting basically random ladies and gentlemen in the face with all the newest Android 3.2 features. These features include, as previously stated, the Zoom to fill screen function that we’re sure a lot of Android developers will be taking advantage of soon AND, yes, yes indeed, the longest awaited hardware activation of basically all time: SD card support!
It’s a celebration! Get out and click down into your settings and check for some hardware updates, ladies and gentlemen, because it’s a party over hear and 3.2 taking’ over this XOOM, you know what I’m saying?
For everyone that needs a refresher, head all the way back to our review of the original Android 3.0 Honeycomb, aka the first Android optimized for tablets. Then take a look at what we got to see in Android 3.1 Honeycomb in another full review. This is the sort of stuff you’ll be seeing on all Android tablets (the good ones, at least) until later this year when Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is released, a new Android for all devices, not just handsets and not just tablets. Joy!
Source: Android Community

New tired data plans

Not really Xoom specific but if you are an Android owner you will be very interested in the new data new tiered data plans coming from Verizon. Looks like they take effect very soon. Like in 2 days!

Got my new Pad Pivot

It is pretty sweet and folds up nicely. Comes with a small bag for when it is not in use. It "sticks" to the tablet with a gel pad that stays sticky. You can see the dust cover on it for when it is not in use.



See more here at PadPivot.com

True SD card support is here

True SD card support is here... but only in Europe. :( I would love to know why on earth this is taking so long to come to the US build! I am still waiting on my 4G upgrade. That was supposed to be at the end of May. I guess it is the price you pay for having the 1st Android 3.x tablet.

Full Xoom ROM released (not from Motorola)

What does this mean for you? Basically a "pure" and "clean" install for you Xoom that allows for Hulu, USB Mass Storage, the SDcard and a host of other things that make the Xoom run as envisioned.

ROM Features:

• Packed with Tiamat 1.4.4 stock GPU. Flash overclocked GPU version is you wish.
• Rooted with SU and superuser, of course
• Desktop UA string, CRT Screen Off Animation, Call setting with SIP, and SMS capable enabled.
• Supercircle 100 point battery mod! thanks Jewremy
• Wifi Ad-Hoc mod enabled! thanks Kelvie
• USB Mass Storage Enabled. Use Dinomight's Mass Storage Tool or activity manager script.
• Init.d boot scripts enabled. Thanks Steady Hawkin!
• Busybox built in
• local.init.rc enabled in system/etc
• openVPN binary and script from CyanogenMod. untested but with tun.ko included, should win. Also grabbed Wireless Toolkit binary with built in symlinks from CyanogenMod
• added Quickboot, Estrongs File Explorer, and Flash Player hulufied brdizzled in data/apps. This was included so users coming from full wipe can be up and running. Feel free to remove from zip before flashing.

See link for details

Xoom at 1.7 GHz now

Loaded the new Tiamat Version 1.4.4 today. Not too many upgraded features but some good ones.

• 1.7Ghz Overclock!
• All frequency steps built in. 1.2, 1.408, 1.504, 1.6, and 1.7!
• Two versions. Overclocked GPU and Stock GPU [request filled]
• USB Tether work for real now!
• Added Realtek 8150 USB Ethernet Dongle Module [request filled]
• Usb Mass Storage now stock in build. Visit Mass Storage Tool Thread by dinomight for implementation.

I was also glad to see the new SetCPU has been optimized for the tablet. The install was a no-brainer if you were already on the Tiamat kernel but see thread for details.

Xoom 2 - Coming soon?

Rounded corners is about the only thing we can see and there is little information on it but a Xoom 2 delivery may be closer than we think.

Read more at the Android Police

I upgraded to the new 3.1 with root and SD card support

Thanks to BigRushDog for my upgrade to Android 3.1 from the Tiamat Kernel. It was pretty painless. All I had to do was:

• Download 4 files
• Flash the new Recovery (Flash meaning install the recovery ZIP file from the Recovery menu)
• Reboot back in to Recovery (an option in the recovery menu)
• Flash the next 3 files, in order
• Wipe the data partition (factory reset - again an option in the recovery menu)
• Done!

Downside: I did lose all my user apps and am having an issue restoring my programs via Titanium backup. Something has changed and it gets into a search loop when trying to track down all the known directories. This is also true for Root Explorer so it must be something new to 3.1. I have a note out to the developers of the two programs.

On the flip side I still have root and access to my Micro SD card so all and all I am pretty happy. I am sure once I correct the Titanium Backup issue I will be able to restore all my applications.

If you are still on Tiamat or any other version of the Xoom tablet this will get you to 3.1

What's New in Android 3.1

UI refinements - The Launcher animation is optimized for faster, smoother transition to and from the Apps list. Adjustments in color, positioning, and text make UI elements easier to see, understand, and use. Navigation to and from the five home screens is now easier — touching the Home button in the system bar now takes you to the home screen most recently used. Settings offers an improved view of internal storage, showing the storage used by a larger set of file types.
Connectivity for USB accessories - Android 3.1 adds broad platform support for a variety of USB-connected peripherals and accessories. Users can attach many types of input devices (keyboards, mice, game controllers) and digital cameras. Applications can build on the platform’s USB support to extend connectivity to almost any type of USB device.
Expanded Recent Apps list - For improved multitasking and instant visual access to a much larger number of apps, the Recent Apps list is now expandable. Users can now scroll the list of recent apps vertically to see thumbnail images all of the tasks in progress and recently used apps, then touch a thumbnail to jump back into that task.
Resizeable Home screen widgets - For more flexible Home screen customization, users can now resize their Home screen widgets using drag bars provided by the system. Users can expand widgets both horizontally and/or vertically to include more content, where supported by each widget.
Support for external keyboards and pointing devices - Users can now attach almost any type of external keyboard or mouse to their Android-powered devices, to create a familiar environment and work more efficiently. One or more input devices can be attached to the system simultaneously over USB and/or Bluetooth HID, in any combination. For pointing devices, the platform supports most types of mouse with a single button and optionally a scroll wheel, as well as similar devices such as trackballs. When these are connected, users can interact with the UI using point, select, drag, scroll, hover, and other standard actions.
Support for joysticks and gamepads - To make the platform even better for gaming, Android 3.1 adds support for most PC joysticks and gamepads that are connected over USB or Bluetooth HID.
Robust Wi-Fi networking - A new high-performance Wi-Fi lock lets applications maintain high-performance Wi-Fi connections even when the device screen is off. Users can take advantage of this to play continuous streamed music, video, and voice services for long periods, even when the device is otherwise idle and the screen is off.
Enterprise support - Users can now configure an HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point. This lets administrators work with users to set a proxy hostname, port, and any bypass subdomains. This proxy configuration is automatically used by the Browser when the Wi-Fi access point is connected, and may optionally be used by other apps. The proxy and IP configuration is now backed up and restored across system updates and resets. To meet the needs of tablet users, the platform now allows a "encrypted storage card" device policy to be accepted on devices with emulated storage cards and encrypted primary storage.
Apps
Gallery
The Gallery app now supports Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP), so that users can connect their cameras over USB and import their pictures to Gallery with a single touch. The app also copies the pictures to local storage and provides an indicator to let users see how much space is available.
Calendar
Calendar grids are larger, for better readability and more accurate touch-targeting. Additionally, users can create a larger viewing area for grids by hiding the calendar list controls. Controls in the date picker are redesigned, making them easier to see and use.
Contacts
The Contacts app now lets you locate contacts more easily using full text search. Search returns matching results from all fields that are stored for a contact.
Email
When replying or forwarding an HTML message, The Email app now sends both plain text and HTML bodies as a multi-part mime message. This ensures that the message will be formatted properly for all recipients. Folder prefixes for IMAP accounts are now easier to define and manage. To conserve battery power and minimize cell data usage, the application now prefetches email from the server only when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi access point.
An updated Home screen widget give users quick access to more email. Users can touch Email icon at the top of the widget to cycle through labels such as Inbox, Unread, and Starred. The widget itself is now resizable, both horizontally and vertically.
This is a summary of the full list that can be found here.

Android 3.1 "soon" if not today

The folks at Google have just announced Android 3.1, the first major upgrade to the tablet-specific OS since its it was released. What has changed? You can now resize widgets and have USB connectivity/host support, meaning you can use your keyboards, mice, gaming controllers, import media from your camera, etc.

Also be on the lookout for a new Movie feature from Google.

USB Camera Connection Kit

Soon you'll be able to transfer photos from your digital camera straight to your Xoom. That's right, for just $20 the Xoom Camera Connection Kit (item number MOTMZ600ADPKIT) will have you a USB port. It is not available online but the word is if you call and ask for this cable kit they will send it to you. Now you will be ready for that update that was due a few days back. It is coming they say.... it is coming.

Xoom updates - The good news and the bad

There has been a flurry of updates some confirmed and others a bit pre-mature. If you look above it was rumored we would be getting an update starting yesterday. While I believe this is real I have not seen it as of yet. Insiders says was it was pulled for some technical reason but will be out shortly. Now the BAD news. The LTE/4G upgrade has been pushed off for a few months. We won't be seeing it until summer according to Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha.

Flash was updated and is supposed to make better use of your video card so it you have not hit the app market in the last day or two you will want to update.

For those looking to annoy their Apple lover friends you can remind them that there is, already, more FREE apps that run on your Android OS than do on iOS.


Motorola sells over 250,000 Xooms. NOT 25,000. Haters. I am not sure why the iPad fan boys care how many Xooms sell but if you feel like knocking their smugness down a peg, the stories of the Xoom being a total failure were a total fabrication. So it was nice to see this story detailing the sales. Now we can be sure we get our fair share of apps and accessories.

One step closer to Facetime with our Apple friends

Qik Video Connect now works with many devices running Android 2.1 and up, iPhones, iPad 2s and any iPod Touch with a camera Apple owners and Android lovers speak face to face over 3G, 4G, and WiFi with the device of their choosing. Now do not get too exited today as the app will just force close on you if you load it on your Xoom but, we are one step closer to being able to video chat with almost anyone on the planet.

I can plug in my Xoom USB and see my SD card

Besides adding a lot of speed to the new kernel the new Tiamat 1.4 adds the ability to mount and show your SD card via USB mass storage (even on my Mac).

• Mass Storage now enabled in Android with easy scripter script. Thanks kcrudup for enable mass_storage_platform_device in board driver.
• Huge source update from tegra upstream. Preparation for the elusive Motorola update we don't even need now!
• Found lost L2 Cache patch. Linpack 65 and Quadrant 3000 out the box.
• Removed more bloat from kernel. Much leaner and meaner.

As I have said before once you are rooted and have installed a ROM manager install is a SNAP! All the gritty details here if you are interested.

New kernel flashed via recovery

If you look above you will see I finally got a "good" backup of the system after moving all my movies and other media to my SD card..

As of today the Tiamat Kernel can now be installed via the recovery manager. I downloaded the new ZIP, placed it on my SD card and clicked install via the menu. Thats it! Done. Ah life is good.



If history is an indicator of the future I can guess I will be loading a new theme via the manager in a day or two... if not sooner.

Edit: O.K. 8 hours later. Here you go. ZIP installable themes

Recovery makes Backups, System Mods, & Theme loads a snap

The day I have been talking about has arrived! For those of you not familiar with loading your hacks and system modifications via the ROM Manager or Quick Boot you will see that hacking your Xoom just got a whole bunch easier. You will now be able to back up your device, in its current configuration, theme it, mod it, change it, and no matter what happens you will have a backup of what you had before. So, if the worst happens, you will be right back to where you started via a system restore. Also you will not be at the adb prompt very often anymore since you will be able to load mods and themes via a ZIP file though menus.

Without thinking I kicked off a backup right away forgetting all the Movies, and MP3's I have loaded on my Xoom so now I have a GIANT backup running to my SD card. (It was early and I was excited) but all is going well. What I need to do before the next "real" backup is move all my large media to the SD card so only the "core" system and apps get backed up.

If you are rooted you download (1) file and installing the mod is just a few commands:

adb reboot bootloader
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot reboot

If you would like to load this more information can be found here on XDA. I will have more information after I have had time to play with it a bit more.

Xoom themes in Red, Green, and Blue

BignaDad has an Alpha release of some of the new themes he has been working on and they look good. Now a few of the folks I know have installed tis theme and there has been a few glitches but that why this is an "Alpha" release meaning: Do not install this theme unless you are prepared to restore your tablet if the worst happens. I typically let the "smart" people work these things out.

Again once I think many themers are waiting on a working SD card (supported by Motorola, not the hack) to really start theming and customizing this device but the future is looking bright!

Skype for Android vulnerable to hack

Skype for Android vulnerable to hacking? In simple terms Skype forgot to encrypt the files and enforce permissions on the internal database. The folks over at Android Police built a "proof of concept" app that reads in all the personal information stored in the database maintained by the Skype program. What can you do about it besides NOT run Skype? Not much.

If you are a reader of this blog this go back to what I have talked about a few times. If and when your Android gets hacked it will because of a shortsighted programmer or a flaw left in some monster program like Flash where they find vulnerabilities almost monthly not some rogue program you downloaded off the Market or from some Chinese hacker (not that it can't happen I am talking likelihood of it occuring). Again for this Skype exploit an anti-virus program is NOT going to help you. So please do not think you are covered by the various AV apps out there if the program is "playing by the rules".

I guess this in more of a plea to the Android developers out there to stay vigilant and for you, the user, to stay informed about your device. What makes Android great is also possibly it greatest downfall - The ability to quickly deploy programs and the option to run any program you want by clicking "Allow unknown sources".

Just a reminder I will be out there watching for issues and exploits that could effect your Xoom so if you are on Facebook or Twitter you may want to click ton he buttons over to the right and "Like" the FAQ or add the FAQ as a Twitter friend because the only thing we do here is talk about the Xoom and the apps that run on it

More @ Android Police

My SD card works on my Xoom!

WORKING SD CARD!

If you are rooted this simple upgrade will make your Xooms SD card functional! Thanks @bigrushdog

Display Covers for movies in Android Gallery

One of the biggest annoyances I have with Android is the limited display functionality of the Android Gallery. While it works great in making all your visual media easily accessible, for movies, it generates a random thumbnail image for each video.



The 3D-ish view of Gallery on the Xoom looks cool, but without at least some control over what it actually displays, its functionality is too limited to be of much use for frequent movie-watchers. With 6 Star Wars movies, it basically requires you to either look at the info for each movie (the i at the top right) or to simply test-play each one to figure out which is the one you actually want to watch.

Because Gallery's capability of displaying folders and images as well as thumbnails for movies, it is possible to make Gallery display cover-art (as well as names) for movies:



Here is how to do it:

• You start by organizing your movies on your computer in folders. Put one movie in a folder, and name the folder what you want to be displayed underneath the image in Gallery.
• With all your movies in individual folders, copy the folders over to the "Movies" folder on your Xoom/Android device.
• Now, add the cover image you want to display in Gallery for each movie in the movie folders you added on your Xoom/Android device.

The trick here is that Gallery places the newest files on top. While you can of course add the image files in the movie folders before you copy them over, more than likely some cover images will be copied over before the actual movie is copied, placing a newer time-stamp on the movie. If this happens, the movie will actually appear on top of the cover-image, ruining the look you are trying to achieve. By copying the images afterwards, the image ends up being newer and thus it appears on top.

When all done, your movie folder on the Xoom should be organized like this:



And if we look in one of the folders:



Note that the date/time stamp of the image is a few minutes newer than that of the actual video file. This is why it ends up being displayed on top.

16GB Xoom on the way?

Some fresh Xoom news hit the wire today. According to a tipster for Droid Life, it appears that Verizon is preparing to sell a 16GB Motorola Xoom. With so many lower priced tablets prepared to hit the market this summer, you had to know it was only a matter of time before Motorola broke into this segment. For now, all that seems to be "confirmed" is a 3G/4G variant, hopefully a WiFi variant will hit the market as well.




Photo credit to Droid Life.

This is clearly a solid move by Motorola if everything comes to fruition. As Debian discussed below, there have been numerous reviews complaining how expensive the Xoom is. Valid argument or not, this move should silence the price critics. While no official pricing or release dates have been leaked, I have my fingers crossed for a sub $600 3G/4G Xoom. With some luck, maybe we will see a sub $500 WiFi version? Something close to those wishes would certainly put the Xoom well under the iPad in the storage per dollar category, might even give any Acer and Asus tablets a run for their money. For now though, all we can do is speculate until we see some official news but this is certainly an exciting time in the Xoom world.