Hi everyone....as you know there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the Xoom's capability of expandable memory via an SD card. To date the SD card is not functional due to the fact that it requires a software update. Motorola has said that the software update would be available "sometime in the future". Despite the growing frustration, as evident on the forum, Motorola has not provided its customers with an official statement on the status of the issue or when they expect the software update to be available. In fact, they have not responded to consumer inquiries and requests in any official capacity. In order to try to convince Motorola to provide a simple, official response to their customers concerns an online petition has been setup.
Please support our request for an official response and update by signing the petition - it only takes a few seconds. Thanks in advance.
Now this I believe in. They need to get their butt's in gear and get this issue resolved as it's a Major selling point for the Xoom. I have an 8GB Class 6 card just waiting to be used for Movies. Signed
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I am definitely watching my return window with Amazon, and if the SD card isn't activated or at least give a firm date for activation by then (end of this month), I very likely may return it. These tabs will have been out for a little more than 2 months by then, plenty of time to at least give a firm date on when the SD card would be activated, if not actually activated.
I am definitely watching my return window with Amazon, and if the SD card isn't activated or at least give a firm date for activation by then (end of this month), I very likely may return it. These tabs will have been out for a little more than 2 months by then, plenty of time to at least give a firm date on when the SD card would be activated, if not actually activated.
I agree. To me this is not right. The SDCard is one of the Xoom's big selling points over the iPad. They need to address this issue ASAP. We did not pay all the money we have to get No answers. I have 45 days at BestBuy and need some kind of answer OR I will think long and hard about returning this device and just going with the HTC Flyer. Moto or Google (don't care which) needs to be held accountable and give us Xoom owners an answer.
I agree totally, but if you look at motorola's official xoom forum then you will see that they have given absolutely no indication on when the SD card will be activated. Their lack of any info on the issue is why the petition was started.
Excuse me if I sound ignorant or plain dumb, but do these online petitions really accomplish anything? I've seen a number of tech related online petitions and I can't think of any instances where a major change resulted from them. If there are success stories please inform me as I'd love to know.
I think that making your voice heard on their forums or calling their CSRs or writing real letters to the companies would do more good than this. I read about long complaint threads on forums causing responses by companies more often than I do these online petitions. Again, I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade, but I just think there may be better ways to get the information we want than this.
Last edited by dvandam; April 4th, 2011 at 02:23 PM.
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Keep in mind that the SD card slot not working is a software issue and not a hardware issue. As this is a Google experience device Motorola has no way of updating the software until Google gives them the update. The SD card not functioning is one of the compromises Google made to get Honeycomb out before iPad2. As google stated recently, they are keeping a tight rein on Honeycomb. Motorola is as frustrated as we are. Lets lay the blame where it belongs, at Google, for forcing Motorola to rush the Xoom to market.
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Honestly though, how long does it take to get an SD card to work? This isn't exactly a cutting edge technology we're talking about here. Phones and other devices have been using SD cards for storage for years. I don't see why Google hasn't been able to push an update in time for the WiFi release.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FragDroidX
Motorola is as frustrated as we are. Lets lay the blame where it belongs, at Google, for forcing Motorola to rush the Xoom to market.
I'm as anxious as anyone for the update, but lets hold off on grabbing our cyber-forks & torches to go storm the wrong castle. An angry mob mentality will just embarrass the Android community. Misdirecting that anger will just make us all look silly.
Lets lay the blame where it belongs, at Google, for forcing Motorola to rush the Xoom to market.
That's just the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Google put a gun to a Motorola exec's head and said "I order you to release this device in time to compete with the iPad 2". If anything Motorola rushed Google to get the code ready so they could release the device.
Why is the Xoom forum 90% reserved for whining about software issues with the Xoom that are beyond our control?
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Honestly though, how long does it take to get an SD card to work? This isn't exactly a cutting edge technology we're talking about here. Phones and other devices have been using SD cards for storage for years. I don't see why Google hasn't been able to push an update in time for the WiFi release.
I agree. What's the big darn problem. Smartphones and Blackberries have been using SD Card slot for awhile now. Google does not know their software well enough to get SD Card working. This could backfire for Motorola if they see an influx of Xoom's coming back and customers getting refunds and buying something else.
SD card is a bit frustrating, only because it is there in plain sight.. if it wasnt there would be any one complaining. Im more frustrated with the lack of google voice!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by publicanimal
That's just the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Google put a gun to a Motorola exec's head and said "I order you to release this device in time to compete with the iPad 2". If anything Motorola rushed Google to get the code ready so they could release the device.
Why is the Xoom forum 90% reserved for whining about software issues with the Xoom that are beyond our control?
You bet your a$$ Google can put enough pressure on Motorola to release the Xoom before it was ready. The proof is all around you if you open your eyes and look. There is a reason that NO other tablets with Honeycomb have been released yet, because its not ready. Plain and simple. Just because your eyes are too closed to see it doesn't mean its not true.
Your assertion that Motorola could get Google to rush the code is laughable. Google is in a war with Apple and they hold all the keys to the code. The Xoom was the development device for Honeycomb, Google wanted Honeycomb out before ipad2 so the Xoom was rushed to market.
If you think Motorola wanted to release a device that had key functions missing (you know things like the 4G card, SD card slot, Flash, etc) you are out of your mind. They also would have loved to have launched the wifi only version at the same time or risk losing sales to iPad which became a reality. Motorola was slammed in the press because of the missing features and the high price. Don't think for a minute that they didn't know that was going to happen. They did it because Google pressured them too and probably gave Motorola something to compensate them for doing so. Pretty easy to figure out really.
SD card is a bit frustrating, only because it is there in plain sight.. if it wasnt there would be any one complaining. Im more frustrated with the lack of google voice!
You bet your a$$ Google can put enough pressure on Motorola to release the Xoom before it was ready. The proof is all around you if you open your eyes and look. There is a reason that NO other tablets with Honeycomb have been released yet, because its not ready. Plain and simple. Just because your eyes are too closed to see it doesn't mean its not true.
Your assertion that Motorola could get Google to rush the code is laughable. Google is in a war with Apple and they hold all the keys to the code. The Xoom was the development device for Honeycomb, Google wanted Honeycomb out before ipad2 so the Xoom was rushed to market.
If you think Motorola wanted to release a device that had key functions missing (you know things like the 4G card, SD card slot, Flash, etc) you are out of your mind. They also would have loved to have launched the wifi only version at the same time or risk losing sales to iPad which became a reality. Motorola was slammed in the press because of the missing features and the high price. Don't think for a minute that they didn't know that was going to happen. They did it because Google pressured them too and probably gave Motorola something to compensate them for doing so. Pretty easy to figure out really.
Although a bit coarse in presentation, I'd have to agree with this rundown. I'm inclined to believe Google is on the hook for this. It's not keeping my up at night, but if I had to point my finger somewhere, it'd have to go toward Google.
But for me, that's the difference in iOS and Android. iOS will delay a release until things are finalized. Android gives it's customers the ability to wait until it's complete, or early-adopt and deal with shortcomings. Fact is, choice is always best in my eyes. Not like they hid the fact that SD & USB were non-functioning. I made the CHOICE to buy before it was perfect.
Anyway, not arguing, just showing my thought process.
Side note: I won't be sending this message to Moto/Google, as I wouldn't want them to take my willingness to wait as willingness to concede the feature indefinitely.
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Keep in mind that the SD card slot not working is a software issue and not a hardware issue. As this is a Google experience device Motorola has no way of updating the software until Google gives them the update. The SD card not functioning is one of the compromises Google made to get Honeycomb out before iPad2. As google stated recently, they are keeping a tight rein on Honeycomb. Motorola is as frustrated as we are. Lets lay the blame where it belongs, at Google, for forcing Motorola to rush the Xoom to market.
Sorry - I'm not buying it. Nobody "forced" motorola to sell their product before the software they chose to use was finished. They jumped in knowing full well what was going on and with that take 100% of the responsibility push for a final fix. they don't get off scott free.
Yes - Google needs to work on this. But Motorola being threatened with millions of dollars in returns will bring much more pressure to the problem than 20,000 people bitching at Google.
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I think it's fair to say that both companies are at fault:
Google is at fault for releasing an OS that clearly wasn't completed in a feeble attempt to get a jump on the iPad 2.
Motorola is at fault for not being more steadfast and demanding that they don't release a tablet that doesn't have all the features of other devices that are 1/3rd of the price of their Xoom.
We are too personally invested in this I think because being on this site we obviously have personal interest that Android does well and will be accepted by the mainstream. The way the Xoom is now I would not recommend it to anyone I know, not because it's bad, but because its unfinished and buggy nature will turn off a lot of people who want something that simply "works" like the iPad. Remember that most people aren't "Power Users" like we are and don't care about not being able to sideload apps or having more control over your device. The problem is that the Xoom was Google's opportunity to bring Android Tablets into the mainstream and unfortunately, as it is now they get about a "D" grade.
Keep in mind that the SD card slot not working is a software issue and not a hardware issue. As this is a Google experience device Motorola has no way of updating the software until Google gives them the update. The SD card not functioning is one of the compromises Google made to get Honeycomb out before iPad2. As google stated recently, they are keeping a tight rein on Honeycomb. Motorola is as frustrated as we are. Lets lay the blame where it belongs, at Google, for forcing Motorola to rush the Xoom to market.
Yep. Honeycomb was designed for contained, dynamic storage, hence no driver (yet) in the framework for microsd function. If the Asus releases this month and the microsd works, but the Xoom STILL is not fixed, that would suggest Motorola is the main problem.
Seems Motorola is waiting for the 4G and microsd fixed in one update. They both use the same port. Motorola is screwing up if that is their plan. Some people will return the Xoom, rather than waiting longer. Especially since the wifi only version has no need for 4G sim.
The Asus release at Best Buy will probably choke the Xoom, IF priced at $400 and no more than $150 for the keyboard. If priced at $500 together, seems game over for Xoom, unless the drop the price to at least $500... and fix the microsd.
Heck, even without the KB there would be a $200 difference. Hard for Xoom to keep up with that- IF the Asus really is priced at $400 on its own.
Last edited by rushmore; April 5th, 2011 at 01:56 PM.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rushmore
Yep. Honeycomb was designed for contained, dynamic storage, hence no driver (yet) in the framework for microsd function. If the Asus releases this month and the microsd works, but the Xoom STILL is not fixed, that would suggest Motorola is the main problem.
Seems Motorola is waiting for the 4G and microsd fixed in one update. They both use the same port. Motorola is screwing up if that is their plan. Some people will return the Xoom, rather than waiting longer. Especially since the wifi only version has no need for 4G sim.
The Asus release at Best Buy will probably choke the Xoom, IF priced at $400 and no more than $150 for the keyboard. If priced at $500 together, seems game over for Xoom, unless the drop the price to at least $500... and fix the microsd.
Heck, even without the KB there would be a $200 difference. Hard for Xoom to keep up with that- IF the Asus really is priced at $400 on its own.
If Motorola is waiting to able to do both 4G and SD at the same time they are going to end up having a ton of returns. The return window for most is coming up soon, lets hope that they surprise us all with the update before that happens. Honestly the only reason that the SD card situation bothers me is that we are missing out on development starting since we can't flash recovery yet.
If Motorola is waiting to able to do both 4G and SD at the same time they are going to end up having a ton of returns.
What are people going to return it for? Seriously, is there another Honeycomb tablet, out or coming in the near future, which has a working SD card slot, or has the slot to begin with?
What are people going to return it for? Seriously, is there another Honeycomb tablet, out or coming in the near future, which has a working SD card slot, or has the slot to begin with?
Nope.
The Asus EEE Transformer is coming out this Month (April) for $200 cheaper. If I don't hear anything from Motorola soon, I will be taking back the WiFi Xoom (I have a 45 day window at BestBuy as a Silver Premiere Member).
I too believe Moto is waiting to get the 4G/LTE and MicroSD up and working at the same time (because they use the same slot) and this is ridiculous as us WiFi Xoom owners could care less about 4G being activated.
This move could definitely backfire on Moto especially if the Asus EEE Transformer has a working MicroSD Card Slot. If it does, this Xoom will be going back to BestBuy and Moto can have their Non MicroSD Card working tablet back and I save $200.
I think it's pretty obvious that the 4G update has almost nothing to do with the microSD slot activation, or else the Wi-Fi version would have launched with a working microSD slot.
This move could definitely backfire on Moto especially if the Asus EEE Transformer has a working MicroSD Card Slot. If it does, this Xoom will be going back to BestBuy and Moto can have their Non MicroSD Card working tablet back and I save $200.
If the MicroSD card issue is a Honeycomb thing, why would the Asus machine get the functionality before the Xoom does?
According to the spec sheet on the ASUS Optimus Prime (sorry, Transformer), there's no mention that the MicroSD slot would NOT be working upon release. I have to say it does look quite intriguing, but I'm a little wary of the UI layer over Honeycomb.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dvandam
According to the spec sheet on the ASUS Optimus Prime (sorry, Transformer), there's no mention that the MicroSD slot would NOT be working upon release. I have to say it does look quite intriguing, but I'm a little wary of the UI layer over Honeycomb.
Interesting. I'm curious how truly functional it is without the "optional" keyboard though? I think the SD reader is only on the keyboard, correct? As well as the USB slots. Did I miss it or does the article say how long the battery life is for the tablet alone? I do NOT want to have to lug around a keyboard to really use a tablet. What I am eventually envisioning is taking my tablet from room to room when I meet with various clients.
Interesting. I'm curious how truly functional it is without the "optional" keyboard though? I think the SD reader is only on the keyboard, correct? As well as the USB slots. Did I miss it or does the article say how long the battery life is for the tablet alone? I do NOT want to have to lug around a keyboard to really use a tablet. What I am eventually envisioning is taking my tablet from room to room when I meet with various clients.
The Tablet and Dock have the same size battery
As far as the other stuff, the dock only has optional stuff. It looks like you don't need it for full functionality.
The specs of the tablet:
Interface 1 x 2-in-1 Audio Jack (Headphone/Mic-in)
1 x mini HDMI 1.3a 1 x Card Reader (Micro SD)
Dock:
Keyboard
Touch Pad
2 x USB 2.0
2 x Docking port (Host + Client) 1 x Card Reader (MMC/SD/SDHC/SDXC)
1 x 24.4Wh Battery
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If the MicroSD card issue is a Honeycomb thing, why would the Asus machine get the functionality before the Xoom does?
I guess we will see if it's a Honeycomb thing or a Manufacturer thing. IF the Transformer comes with a working MicroSd, then we will know that Moto is full of (Bleep)
Either the Trans is too good to be true (will cost more), or the Xoom is "overpriced".
Great display, GPS, gyro, HDMI and a keyboard/battery/card reader/2 full USB ports/USB host... for $550 or less?
If the device is as solid as the specs and $400, it will sell very well and the Moto will be forced to drop price AND fix the microsd, real fast.
Hopefully the Asus UI does not screw solid hardware up like Viewsonic did the gTablet. YIKES! Like my G, but not with the OEMs UI.
Actually, the Asus isn't skinned.
According to the Asus marketing guy on the Bit-Tech forum:
Quote:
There's no skin, just widgets and a background. You can turn them off yes.
So yeah, the Transformer is pretty much stock. Whether or not Asus is timely with their updates remains to be seen. However, they already said they're rolling out an OTA mid-April to add the cloud stuff.
Also, Paul from Modaco is getting one, so the dev community will be there for updates, if anything.
The EEE Transformer has a working SD slot. I don't care if ASUS did something special to get it to work (like Motor did with Bluetooth voice dialing on the Devour before Android supported it) this is absolute bullshit.
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The EEE Transformer has a working SD slot. I don't care if ASUS did something special to get it to work (like Motor did with Bluetooth voice dialing on the Devour before Android supported it) this is absolute bullshit.
I agree. This is NOT cool. I have until April 27th to return my Xoom. If Moto has no response by April 25th, there will be one less Xoom owner and one more Transformer owner (and for $200 cheaper). Moto sure dropped the ball with the Xoom.
*Makes note to look for Xoom receipt when he gets home*
Maybe if nothing else, this will give Motorola a nice boot to the butt to finally give us something resembling a release date or explanation about why this update has been so delayed.
Last edited by dvandam; April 8th, 2011 at 08:12 AM.
According to the Asus marketing guy on the Bit-Tech forum:
So yeah, the Transformer is pretty much stock. Whether or not Asus is timely with their updates remains to be seen. However, they already said they're rolling out an OTA mid-April to add the cloud stuff.
Also, Paul from Modaco is getting one, so the dev community will be there for updates, if anything.
Asus has already published the source for the Transformer, so more than obvious they expect a thriving community base. Question will be a thriving OEM base. Asus is good for updating their lappies, so probably ditto for their tabbies.
I agree. This is NOT cool. I have until April 27th to return my Xoom. If Moto has no response by April 25th, there will be one less Xoom owner and one more Transformer owner (and for $200 cheaper). Moto sure dropped the ball with the Xoom.
If the Asus really is $200 cheaper, seems academic for a lot of folks. Factor in the smaller/thinner than I expected keyboard that still makes the total cost cheaper than the Xoom:
1. 2X the battery life
2. Two full function USB ports
3. SD card reader
4. GPS
5. Apparently a very good display
6. Working microsd slot.
Moto may have overplayed (price) and under delivered (microsd borked and no usb host) compared to the competition.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dvandam
*Makes note to look for Xoom receipt when he gets home*
Maybe if nothing else, this will give Motorola a nice boot to the butt to finally give us something resembling a release date or explanation about why this update has been so delayed.
Not so much. Manufacturers track and brag about # of orders more so those from retailers. Returns are swept under the rug and no one is held accountable. The only way these problems get fixed is if management notices a trend of failure. The problem more than likely is the problem so it will take longer to sort that out. That means little for us in the short term.
Not so much. Manufacturers track and brag about # of orders more so those from retailers. Returns are swept under the rug and no one is held accountable. The only way these problems get fixed is if management notices a trend of failure. The problem more than likely is the problem so it will take longer to sort that out. That means little for us in the short term.
Actually I was referring to ASUS's MicroSD port working getting Moto to start something. I know one return isn't going to do anything.
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Motor already has their money, it's just Best Buy, Costco, et. al that get stuck. You'd think that would encourage them to pressure manufacturers to get their crap together... you'd think.
Xoom owners should return their Xooms and wait for a the large and inevitable price drop, or to get microsd function
I saw that today. That's another kick in the balls. Moto better get off their collective butt's and get the Xoom down to at least $499 (WiFi Unit).
The Acer Iconia is only 16gb. I wonder if they will have a workaround for the MicroSD as Asus did. The Asus Transformer 32gb will be $499. I feel Moto should just drop the WiFi Xoom to $499 to compete and allow us to get some Cheese back. It's either that or start to see units come back.
I think the one good thing that the Xoom has going for it is it's a Pure Google Device (Vanilla) and has not been skinned.
Here is the XDA Forum of the Asus Transformer. People are getting them today
Reports on new Asus Transformer owners that their microSD slot works.
Yes it is working BUT from what I have read it's a sloppy workaround that Google has not recommended. Maybe Moto is doing the right thing and allowing Google to fix the issue so it runs Great when implemented. I wonder if the Asus Transformer's MicroSD will be upgraded when Google rolls out the Real fix for the MicroSD. I guess time will tell
You bet your a$$ Google can put enough pressure on Motorola to release the Xoom before it was ready. The proof is all around you if you open your eyes and look. There is a reason that NO other tablets with Honeycomb have been released yet, because its not ready. Plain and simple. Just because your eyes are too closed to see it doesn't mean its not true.
Your assertion that Motorola could get Google to rush the code is laughable. Google is in a war with Apple and they hold all the keys to the code. The Xoom was the development device for Honeycomb, Google wanted Honeycomb out before ipad2 so the Xoom was rushed to market.
If you think Motorola wanted to release a device that had key functions missing (you know things like the 4G card, SD card slot, Flash, etc) you are out of your mind. They also would have loved to have launched the wifi only version at the same time or risk losing sales to iPad which became a reality. Motorola was slammed in the press because of the missing features and the high price. Don't think for a minute that they didn't know that was going to happen. They did it because Google pressured them too and probably gave Motorola something to compensate them for doing so. Pretty easy to figure out really.
You have to be an absolute idiot to believe Google forced Motorola to release a product that Motorola didn't think was ready for release. That's Motorola's decision, not Google's. It is you who must open your eyes, to reality and the way the world works.
Xoom Online Petition for SD Card Info
Motorola can kiss my a##
