Watch out Apple (AAPL) iPad. Here comes Motorola’s XOOM.
Verizon Wireless (VZ) and the old Motorola struck a chord with the Droid phone using Google’s (GOOG) OS. Now, Verizon and the brand-new Motorola Mobility (MMI) are aiming to strike a second with the new Motorola XOOM, a 10.1-inch touchscreen device unveiled Wednesday in anticipation of the Consumer Electronics Show, which starts Thursday in Las Vegas.
The companies billed the XOOM as the first device on Google’s new Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system designed from the ground up for tablets.
“Motorola XOOM… builds on our combined leadership with Motorola to deliver innovative mobile devices and service on the Android platform,” said Marni Walden, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon.
Motorola XOOM will launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in the first quarter with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2. Starting in the second quarter, a XOOM will be a 4G LTE/Wi-Fi-enabled device.
Access to thousands of Apps, Google Maps in 3-D
Motorola notes that the Droid-happy tab will have access to thousands of apps from the Android Market, access to over 3 million Google eBooks and game-changing Google Maps 5.0 with 3-D interaction Gaming is a major feature. Motorola said the tab “delivers console-like gaming performance on its 1280×800 display.” That’s more than iPad’s 1024 by 768 and Samsung Electronics’ (005930.KS) Galaxy Tab’s 1024 by 600.
Other Xoom features include:
—1080p HD video and HDMI output to display content on larger HD screens, and plays video and other rich web content with Adobe (ADBE) Flash Player (Flash is not available on Pads).
—Front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE, as well as a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera to capture video in 720p HD.
—Built-in gyroscope, barometer, e-compass, accelerometer and adaptive lighting for new types of applications.
—Connection with Gmail or Exchange email; opening and editing documents, spreadsheets and presentations; and viewing calendars and sending out appointments or meeting notices – with mobile broadband speeds.
—Mobile hotspot capability with online connection for up to five other Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Zach Epstein reports in BGR that the XOOM has “specs that look like they’ll line up pretty well with the rest of the Android slates we’ll be seeing at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.”
Wireless and Mobile News said it is rumored that Verizon will feature the XOOM during the Super Bowl adfest on Feb. 6.
Also See: CES: Motorola Atrix brings Angry Birds to big screen
