CASPER
THE FRIENDLY GHOST
According to information leaked from an anonymous Verizon employee, Motorola's Xoom, a tablet running the long-anticipated Android Honeycomb, will sell for $800.
We got a good look at Xoom during CES this year. It is unique for several reasons.
First, it, along with the Droid Bionic and a lineup of other smartphones, is one of the first Verizon 4G LTE devices.
Second, the tablet is one of the first that will be running Honeycomb (Android 3.0), the tablet-specific fork of the Android mobile operating system. While we've seen Android tablets running version 1.6 and even 2.2 (Froyo), this will be the first instance of an intentional and elegant Android approach to the tablet form factor.
In addition to the new OS, Xoom features a 1080p screen resolution, front- and rear-facing cameras (2MP and 5MP, respectively), an HDMI output, and an accelerometer.
Motorola also says the device "delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280×800 display, and features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications. It also features Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction and delivers access to over 3 million Google eBooks and thousands of apps from Android Market."
The first 3G and Wi-Fi-enabled Xoom units should be available around the end of Q1 2011, and according to new reports from Android Central, the minimum advertised price for the units will start at $800 -- a hefty price tag compared to other gadget options currently on the market.
What's your take on the matter: Will Motorola's first Android tablet be worth $800 out of the gate? In the comments, let us know your opinions.
We got a good look at Xoom during CES this year. It is unique for several reasons.
First, it, along with the Droid Bionic and a lineup of other smartphones, is one of the first Verizon 4G LTE devices.
Second, the tablet is one of the first that will be running Honeycomb (Android 3.0), the tablet-specific fork of the Android mobile operating system. While we've seen Android tablets running version 1.6 and even 2.2 (Froyo), this will be the first instance of an intentional and elegant Android approach to the tablet form factor.
In addition to the new OS, Xoom features a 1080p screen resolution, front- and rear-facing cameras (2MP and 5MP, respectively), an HDMI output, and an accelerometer.
Motorola also says the device "delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280×800 display, and features a built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications. It also features Google Maps 5.0 with 3D interaction and delivers access to over 3 million Google eBooks and thousands of apps from Android Market."
The first 3G and Wi-Fi-enabled Xoom units should be available around the end of Q1 2011, and according to new reports from Android Central, the minimum advertised price for the units will start at $800 -- a hefty price tag compared to other gadget options currently on the market.
What's your take on the matter: Will Motorola's first Android tablet be worth $800 out of the gate? In the comments, let us know your opinions.