For almost a year Apple’s iPad has reigned, claiming the pinnacle position of tablet-device technology. Now Motorola is coming out with the Xoom, a competitor that some critics say could challenge the iPad dominant status.
First making its debut on a Super-Bowl commercial and then released to the public on Feb. 24, the Xoom wants to be known as a true contender for the tablet-computing throne. WT, however, students and teachers aren’t so certain any company or product can contend with the Apple mantle in this niche.
“Microsoft came out with the Zune to compete with the iPod, and where is it now?” sophomore broadcasting major Wilson Lemieux said.
Yet some critics say Xoom shows promise.
“I consider [Xoom] the first truly comparable competitor to Apple’s hit iPad,” the Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg said.
Critics find head-to-head results include some give-and-take. The Xoom is bigger, having a 10.1-inch diagonal screen compared to the iPad’s 9.7-inch, making the Xoom more ideal for typing. However, due to the Xoom’s dimensions, it is not as easy to read. The Xoom can surf the web faster than the iPad, but has a smaller battery life. Tech personality Robert Scoble, while impressed by the Xoom’s capabilities, points out its lack of support in apps compared to the iPad.
“There aren’t any apps that are designed for it yet. I have three “secret” apps that will be out soon, but three goes against, what, 30,000-plus for iPad?” Scoble stated on his website.
One key difference that could keep the Xoom from gaining popularity is its price tag of $800 for 32 gigabytes of memory, Wi-Fi, 3G and a two-year plan with Verizon. Motorola has announced that cheaper versions will be available as well as 4G support, but it hasn’t said when those promises will become reality. The iPad 2, which has a March 11 release date, offers all of those features with a $499 starting price. Engadget editor-in-chief, Joshua Topolsky, has gone so far as to say the Xoom should have been worked on longer before being released.
“[The Xoom] outclasses the iPad in many ways. Still, the end-user experience isn’t nearly where it needs to be,” Topolsky said on Engadget’s website.
