Less than a year when it launched the XOOM tablet, Motorola has announced that it will launch two new successors. It has announced the XOOM 2 and the XOOM 2 Media Edition tablets. The UK and Ireland will be getting the new tablets in mid-November.
The XOOM 2 will feature 10.1-inch IPS display while the XOOM 2 Media Edition has an 8.2-inch IPS display. However, both will have mostly the same specifications: it will have a 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Both will also feature a 1.3MP front-facing camera and a 5MP rear camera with LED flash.
In addition, they will run Android 3.2 Honeycomb. Motorola, however, has not confirmed that it would offer an upgrade to Android 4, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich.
The XOOM 2 will heavily feature business-orientated features, like VPN support and data encryption. It will also come with Citrix Receiver and GoToMeeting. The Media Edition, however, is more focused on allowing the person to watch their media more easily with a wider viewing angle and an adaptive virtual surround sound. It will also be lighter, weighing 386g.
Both, however, will feature MotoCast that allows you can stream files from PC or Mac to your tablet.
No word on Australian availability. Press release and gallery are below (the first four are the XOOM 2, while the last four are the XOOM 2 Media Edition)
Motorola Mobility Launches Two New Tablets in the UK and Ireland
Motorola XOOM 2 and the Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition are powerful, portable and ready to take on the world
LONDON – Nov. 3, 2011 – Building on the success of Motorola XOOM™, Motorola Mobility is rocking the tablet world yet again with two additions that bring enhanced experiences to the European market. Wi-Fi variants of the Motorola XOOM 2™ and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition™ — boasting powerful productivity, rich entertainment and customizable experiences — are now available: the answer to consumers looking for a tablet that can keep up with their lifestyle. Both tablets will be available at Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Ireland, as well as Best Buy, Dixons, PC World and Currys in the UK.
“Tablets are quickly becoming a must-have tool for staying connected, getting work done and having fun at home and on the road,” said Victoria McManus, marketing director UK & Ireland, Motorola Mobility. “We are very excited about these two new additions to our tablet portfolio that build on the success of the original Motorola XOOM to now deliver more powerful tablet experiences to the European market.”
The new Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition both feature Android 3.2, a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, brilliant displays with Corning® Gorilla® Glass and a splashguard coating for a go anywhere, do everything attitude. In addition, both tablets include the new MotoCast™ app that lets you stream all your music, photos, videos and documents between your PC or Mac and tablet without any media tools, apps, or cords.
Motorola XOOM 2: Lighter and Brighter
Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi sports a 10.1-inch widescreen HD display and Android 3.2 Honeycomb like its predecessor, but the similarities end there. The display is brighter and more vibrant than before with colour enhancement, and the edges have been strategically designed to make the tablet more comfortable to hold — this tablet is easy on the eyes, and easy on the hands. It is compatible with the optional Motorola Stylus that is great for note-taking, hand-writing emails and sketching. Motorola XOOM 2 is loaded with Business Ready features like VPN support and data encryption.
Motorola XOOM 2 with Wi-Fi features MOTOPRINT integrated into key apps so you can print wirelessly from your tablet. It is approximately 100 grams lighter than the original Motorola XOOM to make it even easier to take on the road, and can withstand poolside use, spilled drinks or dashes out to the car in the rain thanks to its new splash-guard coating. A battery delivering more than 10 hours of video playback means it can go with you wherever you need to be.
Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition: Beat your Boredom
Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition with Wi-Fi is easy to hold with one hand thanks to its 8.2-inch display, and easy to take with you wherever you go, weighing less than the best-selling paperback you’ve been carrying around. Optimised for entertainment, it has a wide, 178 degree viewing angle. Hold it up to someone across the room, or share it with someone sitting next to you, and everyone gets a brilliant view.
Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition has a 20 percent improvement in graphics performance over the original Motorola XOOM for smoother gaming, features adaptive virtual surround sound with booming bass that’ll delight your ears, and stands out from the crowd with the fastest multi-tasking in its class. It can even be a universal remote control for home AV equipment with the personalized, custom remote control app pre-loaded on the tablet. Lastly, a splash-guard coating provides extra protection against the spills that are bound to happen when you’re having fun.
Accessories to connect to your life easier, from anywhere
With the Work and Play kit, plug your tablet into the HD Multimedia Station to connect to your HDTV, speakers and other peripherals for large-screen entertainment. Get more done, faster with the included keyboard and mouse with Bluetooth technology. Now, when your tablet is docked, the Smart Controller lets you MC the show from the comfort of your couch. For Motorola XOOM 2, no accessory discussion is complete without mentioning the Motorola Stylus with Precision tip – your tablet’s best friend.
Technical Details
Motorola XOOM 2 Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition Processor 1.2GHz dual-core processor 1.2GHz dual-core processor Software Android 3.2 Honeycomb Android 3.2 Honeycomb Display 10.1” HD display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 8.2” HD display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Special features Splash-guard and special flattened edges for easier holding Display optimisation for wide viewing angles that are perfect for video Camera 1.3 MP front and 5 MP rear-facing HD cameras with digital zoom, auto focus, and LED flash 1.3 MP front and 5 MP rear-facing HD cameras with digital zoom, auto focus, and LED flash Memory 1GB RAM; 16 GB storage 1GB RAM; 16GB storage Battery life 10+ hours Web usage or over 1 month stand-by 6+ hrs Web usage and more than 3 days of music playback Sound 3D virtual surround sound Adaptive virtual surround sound with multiple speakers and booming bass Dimensions 253.9 mm x 173.6 mm x 8.8 mm 139 mm x 216 mm x 8.99 mm Weight 599 g 386 g Enterprise features Business Ready with enterprise-grade security and Active Sync for work email, contacts and calendar. USB and Ethernet connectivity, pre-loaded Citrix® Receiver® and Citrix® GoToMeeting®. Preloaded with MotoCast so you can access and stream your files from your PC or Mac to your tablet Preloaded with MotoCast so you can access and stream your files from your PC or Mac to your tablet Preloaded applications Access to Google Mobile™ Services, including Google Maps™ with Navigation, Google Talk™ and browsing Availability
Motorola XOOM 2 and Motorola XOOM 2 Media Edition, Wi-Fi variants will be available in the UK and Ireland in mid-November. Carphone Warehouse customers in the UK can pre-register here.
