Motorola has pleased the company’s admirers with the release of a new tablet – Motorola Xoom 2, an improved version of the existing Xoom model, but differing from it with technical solution and design.
Design
The company has created Xoom 2, improving a new product compared to its predecessor. The original was a little thicker and heavier; Xoom 2 is 100 g lighter (the weight is 599 g) and obtained an improved form. The edges of the housing are made more comfortable to hold, so it’s a pleasure to keep this tablet in the hands. Design has become much more attractive. Dimensions of the tablet are 253,9 x 173,6 x 8,8 mm.
A rubbery on/off button is located from the rear of the tablet; there is also volume rocker. In landscape mode you will have an access to them. The loudspeakers are located in the upper right corner of the device, and the quality of sound is just perfect. As they are away from the softer edge, this makes impossible covering them, while holding the tablet. Xoom 2 is equipped with an infrared port, which supports Dijit application. Thus, the tablet can work remotely and be used as a control panel. The device is equipped with a headphone jack and IR emitter, which are on the top edge. At the bottom of the device there are Micro USB and HDMI ports. They deal with charging and data. Thus, HDMI output is intended for playing games and movies on the HD TV. There is also a bezel on the front of Xoom 2. However, the device doesn’t have micro SD. It means that if you want to add some new storage it’s impossible to do this. The sides and lower edge of the device are bordered with a soft plastic edge, which is pleasant to touch. The aluminum-framed housing of the tablet doesn’t wobble. The aluminum back is firm, matt and without roughness. In the center there is a rounded M logo. The device is very handy in portrait mode, however not so comfortable in landscape.
Display
Xoom original screen was good, but it lacked the brightness. IPS-technology display of Xoom 2 has a 1280×800 pixels resolution and it proves its priority, while demonstrating video: the best viewing angles and brighter and richer colors. It’s really impressive. The tablet has 178 degrees viewing angles, both horizontally and vertically. The device has a 16:10 display ratio. An interesting addition is that the tablet is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass safety glass and has a special coating that protects against dust and splashes.
Software
In terms of software Motorola Xoom 2 should operate on the basis of Android 3.2 Honeycomb, ready to meet the maximum requirements of the client. However, the company plans upgrading to Android 4.0. Modifying Xoom 2, Motorola has returned to pre-installed applications: a few business programs, Citrix, Fuse Meetings and Quick Office HD, along with MotoCast software, which allows connecting the tablet to the computer and adding videos, photos, music to the device from the PC. The mentioned applications are lightweight. The browser itself frequently bewilders when it comes to flash content, while video is clipping. The buttons of the stock keyboard are quite big for averting mistakes. It’s possible to adjust Xoom 2 in order to control all the AV devices which the user has. It allows creating the customized groups of controls for different devices. Thus, everything what is necessary for you will be on the screen of your Xoom 2. One can also customize various profiles for various rooms.
Functional features
The device is equipped with Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 dual-core processor, working at 1.2 GHz and has 1 GB RAM. The storage capacity of the built-in flash drive for data storage is 16 GB. The tablet has a built-in Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 graphics core, which significantly improved the graphics subsystem. Among other things, yet it is worth mention support for encryption of data and VPN. And also the tablet has a MOTOPRINT function, which allows you to print documents via a wireless connection. There is also Wi-Fi wireless module. Xoom 2 operates smoothly. It allows you to load up websites and graphically intensive applications without any problems. The tablet supports strong Vellamo web browsing scores. Motorola offers its Intelligent Grip Suppression technology in the new tablet. This clever technology enables you to hold the device in one hand with your finger on the screen, working with it without impediments with your other hand. Thus, the screen doesn’t register the thumb. However, this function doesn’t work all the time – it works well if you navigate the home screens, but if you are going to use the camera you must remove your thumb from the screen for shooting.
Stylus
Xoom 2 supports Motorola Active Stylus optional pen and multi-touch, with which you can conveniently make handwritten notes. The stylus works on AAAA battery and operates on all Honeycomb menus and applications. There is a notepad icon in the lower right corner, pressing which you will be offered several options such as opening previous annotations and sketches, Evernote, starting the Floating Notes app.
Cameras
Xoom 2 is equipped with 2 cameras: 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and 5 megapixel camera from the rear. The latter has autofocus and LED flash and is able to shoot HD video. Photography options include color effects, quality, exposure settings, several preset modes, size, as well as the possibility to use macro, infinity and auto focus. The quality of shots is quite good.
Battery life
Without recharging the tablet can work over 10 hours, playing movies, music, or when using the Internet. In this case the device will work on 50 percent brightness. In the standby mode, as the developers had promised, the device will work for a month.
Summarizing, it’s possible to say that the new model Motorola Xoom 2 is a solid device on Honeycomb and its qualities are improved greatly in comparison with the original Honeycomb tablet. The device doesn’t have many bright qualities, but the new design with comfortable housing edges and rounded corners turned out successful.
