By now you are all aware of the Motorola Xoom coming to Verizon.  If you aren’t fully aware of what it offers, here are the specs.  I am going to put a few items in bold. To bring up in after the specs.

• OS: Android 3.0 Honeycomb
• Processor: NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2: 1GHz dual-core processor
• Camera(s): 5 MP rear-facing camera with dual LED flash/2MP front-facing camera
• Connectivity: 3.5mm, micro USB 2.0 HS, Corporate Sync, Wi -Fi 2.4GHz & 5GHz 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR + HID
• Video: 720p capture/1080p playback/streaming, H.263, H.264, MPEG4
• Audio: AAC, AAC+, AMR NB, AMR WB, MP3, XMF
• Messaging/Web Apps:
• Email (Corporate Sync, Google Mail, POP3/IMAP embedded, Push Email, Yahoo Mail, Webkit w/Flash
• Network: 3G, 4G LTE upgradeable, 802.11n w/Personal Hotspot
• Memory: 32GB on board user memory, SD card support after software update, 1GB DDR2 RAM

There are a lot of great things happening with this device.  It is the first Honeycomb tablet with Tegra2 and 1GB DDR2 RAM.  There is also an upgrade path for the Xoom.  Instead of waiting for a fully built LTE network, Verizon and Motorola have chosen to first launch this as a 3G tablet.  Down the road users can have the tablet updated to 4G LTE.  Also there will be additional support included for expandable memory via a MicroSD slot.

I have asked every single person who has been demonstrating the tablet just how this is going to be accomplished.  Here are the different questions and answers.

Can a user update to 4G themselves – via flashing a radio or exchanging the radio module?

Easy answer, no.  Every representative from Motorola and Verizon are on the same page on this one.  I expected that.

So then, how will 4G LTE be upgraded?  (Answers varied wildly here) First off, I am understanding that this is an issue that they are trying to find a solution to.  I think the only answer that should have been given from a PR point of view is – we will explain at a later date as we are still trying to find the perfect solution for both the customer and Motorola/Verizon.

Answer 1 – Users will have to send the Xoom in to have the radio module exchanged and new radio flashed

Answer 2 – Bring it in to the store and the whole process will be done by a rep in minutes

Answer 3 – Drop it off at the store and pick it up in a few days

Answer 4 – We are unsure of the exact process that will be necessary, we will let people know as soon as we have figured out the most effective solution. (Best Answer)

My next question was how does the SD card upgrade work.

In the press release it says SD card support after software updates.  What is confusing is the fact that currently there is no SD card slot on the device.  Now this could again be that the devices that they had here are 90% complete devices to show a very close to accurate device.  There may be changes that will be in the final product.  YET – in the Press Release it says that the expandable memory will supported after a software update.  Yet at the Pepcom show prior to CES Motorola was there demoing the Xoom (just a video loop showing off the new features) and their product people stated that SD slot and 4G LTE must both be installed by them.  I tend to believe the Motorola product people over the Verizon sales/floor exhibitors at CES.

Is this going to be another module, or perhaps it will be bundled with the 4G LTE radio module, perhaps directly above or below the radio itself?  That is the most likely scenario that I can imagine.  It should be interesting to see.  I have sent out emails to all the Motorola contacts that I have, and hope to hear back from them sometime next week.

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About the Author

Cameron Wright

My first Android phone didn't have an OS with a codename. I've owned a Nexus, Evo 4G, and now a Thunderbolt. I've made my rounds writing for AndroidFeens, AbsolutelyAndroid, thedroidguy, and currently write for GadgetU as well. I volunteer with the Red Cross (SEPA Chapter). My fiancée and I welcomed our first (and only child into this world in Feb - 2 months early).

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