OMG/JK: A Kiss For iPad 2, A Slap For Xoom — with Video discussion and Review

TechCrunch ^ | March 5, 2011 | MG Siegler

[Swordmaker]

It’s war!

This week, I went to the unveiling of the iPad 2 and got some hands-on time with the device afterwards. Meanwhile, Jason bought a Xoom and has been extensively testing it out. The consensus? iPad 2: Good. Xoom: Bad. At least for now. I haven’t extensively played with iPad 2 yet, and Google is undoubtedly going to patch the Xoom. But still, first impressions are key.

Jason and I discuss these two products in depth in this week’s episode of OMG/JK, and we also dive into the upcoming group messaging war that is likely to break out at SXSW next week. Now that Facebook has bought Beluga and really kicked everything into a frenzy, the ultimate winners are far from clear.

Watch the episode above and check out some of the links below for more details on what we talk about.

[BobSimons]

Does Apple Pay FR to run Ads, similarly i wonder if they pay Fox News to advertise their current product roll-outs?

[ThunderSleeps]

Siegler reports, “The consensus? iPad 2: Good. Xoom: Bad.”

“I haven’t extensively played with iPad 2 yet...

So he's reporting on the relative merits of products he admits he hasn't even "played with" yet, let alone fully evaluated? Worthless.

[ctdonath2]

All I hear about Xoom (or any competing tablet) is specs - not user experience.
Co-worker keeps buying tablets, showing them to me, and the first words out of his mouth each time is an apology for its poor performance.

Yes there’s a strong Apple fan club on FR. It’s that cool. It just works - even with lesser specs.

[Swordmaker]

TechCrunch review of hands on with iPad 2 and week of owning a Motorola Xoom—PING!

Please note that I am being personally attacked and questioned about why I post by Trolls on every article I post for the list. It seems to be deliberate, organized, and designed to make me stop keeping the list members informed about things they have asked me to do. This has been going on now for about two weeks, and the explanation is ignored each and every time.

Please, No Flame Wars!
Discuss technical issues, software, and hardware.
Don't attack people!

Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
 PLEASE IGNORE THEM!!!

 

Apple v. Android Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[Swordmaker]

All I hear about Xoom (or any competing tablet) is specs - not user experience.

Co-worker keeps buying tablets, showing them to me, and the first words out of his mouth each time is an apology for its poor performance.

The TechCrunch guy bought a Xoom at Costco and used it for a week, and is an Android fan. Watch the video review. He is NOT happy with it.

[AFreeBird]

You seemed to have missed the qualifier: “extensively”.

I suspect that a rollout hands on for the hundreds of press in attendance, would necessitate a limited amount of time with the available products. Still, if those there were already familiar with version one, of not only the iPad, but other serious contenders products; the time allotted should have been enough to give a fairly good (or bad), first impression.

Having a 1st gen iPad myself, I can envision the second version just from the specs alone. Double the speed, 9x graphics speed and all the other announced specs and capabilities sound good to me.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>Does Apple Pay FR to run Ads, similarly i wonder if they pay Fox News to advertise their current product roll-outs?

Who pays you to comment on these threads?

[TheBattman]

Today’s BestBuy Ad lists the Moto Zoom at $799.99. What’s interesting -you are REQUIRED to activate a Verizon data plan and pay for at least one month of service to be able to use YOUR OWN WiFi connection! You can cancel after the first month...but I don’t get the requirement to activate a Verizon data plan to use WiFi in your own home.. Is Verizon subsidizing these things? If so, then $799.99 is WAY over priced.

[ThunderSleeps]

I'm sure it is a good product (iPad 2). Just seems a little unfair and maybe premature to be drawing sweeping conclusions so soon, after admittedly limited exposure.

Full disclosure here - I'm an admitted Linux user, and Android-based phone owner. I'm not prejudiced against Apple (I don't think?) I have an iPod touch I use regularly at the gym.

[Cementjungle]

So he's reporting on the relative merits of products he admits he hasn't even "played with" yet, let alone fully evaluated? Worthless.

Media folks' reporting on all things Apple is like media folks' reporting on all things Democrat. Objectivity is not part of the process.

[PA Engineer]

Check the born on date. ;-)

[stripes1776]

Please note that I am being personally attacked and questioned about why I post by Trolls on every article I post for the list. It seems to be deliberate, organized, and designed to make me stop keeping the list members informed about things they have asked me to do. This has been going on now for about two weeks, and the explanation is ignored each and every time.

You perform a vital service for many of us on FR. Keep on posting. We know the Trolls are just trying to attack you because you have more honesty than than do.

[stripes1776]

So he's reporting on the relative merits of products he admits he hasn't even "played with" yet, let alone fully evaluated? Worthless.

Watch the full program here: http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/05/ipad-2-xoom-fight/

Jason Kincaid is a big Android fan. He bought a Xoom for $800 and was required to activate a carrier in addition for another charge. There are all of 16 apps for the Xoom. He said, "I think it stinks."

[ReignOfError]

So he's reporting on the relative merits of products he admits he hasn't even "played with" yet, let alone fully evaluated? Worthless.

Read the OP again. One reviewer spent a bit of time with the iPad, the other a more substantial amount with the Xoom. Both reviewers are in the video.

[dayglored]

> Fart Sniffling

Nobody forced you to inhale, Noob. :)

BobSimons Since 2011-02-27

If you don't like Apple products, don't buy 'em, and stay off the threads about things you don't like. It'll simplify your life, and make everyone else's more pleasant.

Thanks!

[dayglored]

Hi Sword,

Illegitimus Non Carborundum.

We on the ping list appreciate your posts, and as long as you're willing to put up with the excrement flung by the trolls and Apple-haters, we'll keep encouraging you to do so.

It does seem to be an organized attack. You know the saying: You know you're over the target when you're taking the most flak.

Apple has been kicking everybody's butt for a long time, and seems poised to keep doing so. It's not surprising that here on FR, you as the Apple/Mac Ping List keeper are going to draw the fire of the people who are scared of Apple's success.

Thank you for your continued efforts.

Don't let the bastards wear you down.

[JerseyHighlander]

I got to agree with you here on FR, there has been few if any user experiences posted about Android devices.

So I’ll post mine:
I pre-ordered a NotionInk Adam about 3 hours after they started pre-orders to their forum members.
I have now received three delays in ship dates.
I cancelled my order yesterday because I’m looking at the new tablets coming out in early April and will wait for the price war to heat up...

Here’s the most comprehensive online English-language forum for real hands on reviews of ALL android tablets:
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=564

and another for the Xoom:
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/motorola-tablets/
http://www.xoomforums.com/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=945

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Thanks for the ping, Sword.

I enjoyed the comments in the source article.

One, and echo of some article you posted previously, suggested that in its iOS competitor Google is emulating Microsoft.

The other points out the serious musical instrument capability of iPad2 w/ Garage Band. That struck me as possibly being a killer app for the iPad. I have been known to sing a little, but am not otherwise a musician. But I think that there are plenty of people who would know what to do with that if they had it.

In the dark ages there was an app for, I think an Apple II, which tried to match a musical score to a vocal input, thereby providing adaptive accompaniment. At this late date, with an app in existence which identifies popular music it "hears" (and offers to sell you a copy of it), that sort of thing could be a real hit as an adjunct to Garage Band.