4G/SD Card Update (4G rolls out 9/29/11)

[fltblkvic]

Man, I really want to Root and ROM my freaking Xoom but I'm waiting till after the 4G/SD Card enabling update to do it cause, well, let's face it, I don't want to send it back in, just to get it sent back in the same, unmodified, condition because I have already Rooted and ROM'ed it. It's killing me because I know what it(Rooting and ROM'ing) can do for a device. For instance, I own an LG Ally, quite simply, the cheapest and most basic Android phone there is. After having an EnV2 for a little more than 2 years, the Ally was a free upgrade, and by free I mean they started tacking an additional $30 a month onto my bill. But it wasn't really what I expected from a "Smart Phone". In many ways the EnV2 was a better phone. No lag time between opening an app and it actually opening, and not having to wait forever for it to boot up. The music just played without having to navigate through an excruciatingly slow menu, etc...! I was about to give up on the whole "Android Smart Phone" idea until I found out about Rooting and custom ROM's. Then the whole game changed. I found myself with a much snappier, more reliable and, hell I'll say it, FAST phone! Since then I was hooked. When Motorola announced that they would be offering an Android based tablet I though "Hell yeah! I'm getting one on opening day", and did. So now here we are, a full month and another half into ownership, and, it's not that I'm not very impressed with the device, but I find myself wondering, "If attaining root access, flashing a custom recovery and installing a new ROM has done so much for a crappy phone like the Ally, I can only imagine how those procedures can transform a kick ass device like the Xoom". So I guess I started this thread just to, what I like to think of as "Story Bitch", but oh well. If you have a good story that culminates to a bitching rant, post it up here. Hey, I'll read it cause what the hell, it's not like I've got anything better to do while I wait for Google/Verizon/Motorola to figure out how and when they want to give me 4G and a working SD Card slot.

 

[jlaw904]

Well we won't get the sweet ROMs till google releases the source for honeycomb, but mines rooted and so far allowed me to overclock and gain sd support. Although mine is the wifi only version so I do understand the concern with sending it in for the 4G update...

Even without the custom roms I'm still 100% satisfied at this point. I get maybe 1 or 2 force closes a week, and terrific battery life. It has completely replaced my laptop.

 

[fltblkvic]

Well we won't get the sweet ROMs till google releases the source for honeycomb
Even without the custom roms I'm still 100% satisfied at this point. I get maybe 1 or 2 force closes a week, and terrific battery life. It has completely replaced my laptop.

I don't know why Google is being so "Steve Jobs" about the Honeycomb files, it seems stupid to limit access since that's the best way to mod devices and to create apps specifically tailored for the Honeycomb version. As for replacing a laptop, hell yeah! I haven't even turned my laptop on since I got the Xoom! I know it's "in the works" to get those of us with the 3G version the 4G and SD card support update but damnit I'm impatient as hell!! I gave those bastards my loyalty, my support, my MONEY, so where's the love?

 

[Martimus]

I don't know why Google is being so "Steve Jobs" about the Honeycomb files, it seems stupid to limit access since that's the best way to mod devices and to create apps specifically tailored for the Honeycomb version. As for replacing a laptop, hell yeah! I haven't even turned my laptop on since I got the Xoom! I know it's "in the works" to get those of us with the 3G version the 4G and SD card support update but damnit I'm impatient as hell!! I gave those bastards my loyalty, my support, my MONEY, so where's the love?

Why? Because, I think, they are concerned about companies and individuals trying to dump copies of Honeycomb on Smartphones... and other devices that Honeycomb simply wasn't designed to run on. My guess is that Honeycomb simply wasn't ready for prime time and they want to limit damage control until they've fixed some bugs in the OS...

 

[fltblkvic]

Why? Because, I think, they are concerned about companies and individuals trying to dump copies of Honeycomb on Smartphones... and other devices that Honeycomb simply wasn't designed to run on. My guess is that Honeycomb simply wasn't ready for prime time and they want to limit damage control until they've fixed some bugs in the OS...

That's the most intelligent assumption to date! It still doesn't explain what the hold up is and why I still don't have SD card support though. Don't get me wrong, I love my Xoom, I find new uses or interesting functionality for it every day it seems but I can't help feeling like we're getting boned somehow. Oh well, in another few months it will be as bad ass as they promised from the start, or at least I hope so, and none of this will even matter but, until then............ COME ON ALREADY!!!!!!!!

 

[rushmore]

Honeycomb does not work correctly on any device unless there is a few gigs of internal flash. Devices that use a "rom" chip for app storage and a microsd for apps2sd will not work correctly with Honeycomb.

 

[en WyCe]

Dropped by the local VZW shop to have my XOOM looked at and the tech guy asked if I had sent mine into for the 4G upgrade. Already underway or about to?

 

[roninmoto]

Man, I really want to Root and ROM my freaking Xoom but I'm waiting till after the 4G/SD Card enabling update to do it cause, well, let's face it, I don't want to send it back in, just to get it sent back in the same, unmodified, condition because I have already Rooted and ROM'ed it.

You will still be able to upgrade your device even if you rooted the device. Here is an article that was released a day or so ago about it.

Rooted Xoom Users Eligible for 4G LTE Update

 

[NCTurner]

any news on when there'll be an update for Xoom's SD card, and IF the USB will ever be a host?

 

[Psychokitty]

Since we don't know when the powers that be release the update, go ahead and root it. With ClockWorkMod, you can back up your rooted ROM on your SD card. Remove the SD card and revert back to stock before sending it to Motorola. When you get it back, simply reroot and reinstall ClockWorkMod and restore your ROM.
It really does take the pain out of waiting.

 

[mjf1]

And here is some really bad press:

Android tablets: Motorola XOOM returned, Honeycomb half baked at best | ZDNet

 

[Martimus]

And here is some really bad press:

Android tablets: Motorola XOOM returned, Honeycomb half baked at best | ZDNet

I loved how the author over-stated his experience at the bottom of the article when he wrote "a technologist with over two decades of experience integrating large heterogeneous multi-vendor computing environments in Fortune 500 companies."...

Outside of the military, most large commercial businesses didn't building serious data networks until the mid 1990's. The first practical networks were products like Invisnet (developed by Invisible Software)... a Netbios based network that ran on telephone wire. In around 1993 Artisoft came out with Lantastic, a better Netbios based networking product.

It wasn't till around 1995 when companies started connecting themselves to the Internet... Prior to the Internet we used to connect remote users to central systems with stat muxes. Oh what a joy that was...

 

[mched]

Just read this report on Droid-Life:
Details on DROID Bionic Delay, Launching at Same Time as 4G LTE on XOOM - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

It claims no 4G upgrade until sometime this summer, does that mean no SD card upgrade until then either

 

[rushmore]

Does Motorola not appreciate that the microsd not working is hurting sales and causing returns? There are now two equal level tablets out that cost less and have fully functioning microsd slots.

Seems that Motorola are shooting themselves in the foot, more than once.

 

[metalimi]

Does Motorola not appreciate that the microsd not working is hurting sales and causing returns? There are now two equal level tablets out that cost less and have fully functioning microsd slots.

Seems that Motorola are shooting themselves in the foot, more than once.

I think the other tablet manufacturers developed some work arounds for the issues in honeycomb keeping us from using expandable storage. We will see what sort of issues arise on these tablets when Google pushes the update to honeycomb enabling SD cards.

 

[rushmore]

All I know is microsd works perfectly with the A500 and so does USB host (even powers and works with 1tb NTFS HDs with a patch). Not seeing how whatever Android does with Honeycomb will impact anything, since will be a similar solution (internal sd, external sd, etc). The reason is Honeycomb must have apps and data installed with the internal storage and any other storage is for media only.

The fact is Motorola has had a broken feature on their device for months and other OEMs have it working. How hard is it for Moto to add the card path to their firmware? My guess is the 4g port and sd card update are the same update plan, so the card will not work until 4G is ready to work.

This means folks that have wifi only versions are waiting and should not have to (along with losing sales). Motorola should have taken the effort to add the card path and release a patch. It will not impact the apps or OS, since it is for media only. Moto are simply screwing customers over by waiting on a one fix solution, rather than fixing something broken (out of box) now.

Motorola seems out of touch, since the device is becoming overpriced to the competition, yet STILL has a broken feature that some consumers want.

That said, the wifi on the Xoom seems much better than on the A500. I also prefer the Xoom's smaller size. The Transformer is even wider than the A500 (due to keyboard fit).

 

[marctronixx]

Android Honeycomb 3.1 Details Emerge: The Little Things Add Up | PCWorld

Android 3.1 still isn

 

[clb2196]

I'm a little confused though- if they're saying, in the article marctronixx posted, that they're still working on the problem, how do we have new tablets with working SD card slots?

 

[Martimus]

I'm a little confused though- if they're saying, in the article marctronixx posted, that they're still working on the problem, how do we have new tablets with working SD card slots?

If you are referring to the ASUS and Samsung Honeycomb tablets it's because the hardware manufacturer developed their own interim solution to make the SD card slot work...

 

[rushmore]

If you are referring to the ASUS and Samsung Honeycomb tablets it's because the hardware manufacturer developed their own interim solution to make the SD card slot work...

Yes and both work very well with microsd (not seen the new Galaxy, but testers say it does) out of the box and so does the A500. Moto waiting for an Android Team solution when Android Team does NOT want it there in the first place seems counter-productive.

Do folks not think it not working this long is a tad absurd? It is not like the function will be any different, since the mapping will be the same as the A500 and Transformer.

I guess this thread answers my question I ask if the 3.1 update fixed the microsd. People making excuses for Motorola now seems too lenient at this point. You have paid for an advertised feature that STILL does not work.

Seems insane, especially since sales have been impacted and returns caused by it.

 

[rushmore]

Android Honeycomb 3.1 Details Emerge: The Little Things Add Up | PCWorld

This is fancy side-talk for "Honeycomb was intended to only have internal storage and no external".

The fact is OEMs know better what customers want and pushed REAL hard for external storage and basically said "screw U Google", we will make our own. Motorola's near naive complacency in this is only screwing customers and sales.

The A500 works fantastic with 32gb microsd, 64gb TDs, 500gb FAT HDs and 1tb NTFS HDs and powers them all using the tablet & battery power. I play 700mb PlayStation roms and movies with no issues.

 

[Martimus]

Yes and both work very well with microsd (not seen the new Galaxy, but testers say it does) out of the box and so does the A500. Moto waiting for an Android Team solution when Android Team does NOT want it there in the first place seems counter-productive.

Do folks not think it not working this long is a tad absurd? It is not like the function will be any different, since the mapping will be the same as the A500 and Transformer.

I guess this thread answers my question I ask if the 3.1 update fixed the microsd. People making excuses for Motorola now seems too lenient at this point. You have paid for an advertised feature that STILL does not work.

Seems insane, especially since sales have been impacted and returns caused by it.

Personally it's not that big of a deal to me at this time! I've got my entire music library sync'd to the internal memory on the Xoom and have several video's sync'd too. While I may not have 32 gig of MP3's to load on the Xoom, I've got several gig and they work just fine.

Would I like to have the external SD card support? Abso-freaken-lutely! Is the lack of SD card support impacting me today? Nope!

 

[blkbeltkid17]

I'm really pissed about lack of microsd support. I bought a 32g card when I bought my xoom to get that out of the way. If they never enable it I wasted $80 because they made a promise they wont deliver on.

Bastards.

man just root it i am we now know its gonna be even longer because we just got the 3.1 update and still no SD support so the odds that we get another update soon is i think slim to none

 

[3devious]

You know what's funny? Now that this OTG cable is so cool, I think I would prefer to get data from my USB stick. SD cards are smaller and more elegant but I am often saddled with machines that were made before we discovered the wheel but after we discovered fire (the have USB 2.0 ports but no SD/memory stick slots.)
We still suffer the same problems unless we get root access.

 

[blkbeltkid17]

You know what's funny? Now that this OTG cable is so cool, I think I would prefer to get data from my USB stick. SD cards are smaller and more elegant but I am often saddled with machines that were made before we discovered the wheel but after we discovered fire (the have USB 2.0 ports but no SD/memory stick slots.)
We still suffer the same problems unless we get root access.

i mean i have mine rooted and love the sd card and i dont have an OTG cable but i think i need to invest in one soon