At CES 2011 yesterday, Motorola and Verizon unveiled what they are calling “the first device on Google’s new Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system,” which they say is designed from the ground up for tablets. Honeycomb improves on Android’s popular features like widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization.
The tablet hardware boasts a dual core processor (each core running at 1 GHz) delivering up to two GHz of processing power. The 10.1 inch screen supports 1080p HD video and provides “console-like” gaming performance at 1280×800. There are dual cameras, a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for video chats over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G LTE and a rear-facing 5-megapixel camera that captures video in 720p HD. Yes, there is Adobe Flash.
“Light, powerful and fundamentally different than anything else on the market, Motorola XOOM leverages the very best technology available today to redefine what a tablet experience can be,” said Bill Ogle, chief marketing officer of Motorola Mobility. “The first device to feature software designed specifically for tablets, Motorola XOOM goes everywhere you do and delivers everything you need.”
One curious piece of the puzzle is that the device does not come 4G LTE ready. It will initially launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011. Starting in Q2 2011, you can upgrade your existing device to 4G LTE and it will officially be a 4G LTE/Wi-Fi- enabled device.