Help XOOM announced: 4g "upgradable". How?

[Don S]

I posted this in the other section (Moto tablets), but this seems more specific to this device, so this is a repost:

So Motorola announced this awesome looking tablet at CES just a bit ago it seems. From the press release:

"Motorola XOOM gives Verizon Wireless customers a new type of mobile computing experience on a stylishly thin device that is 4G LTE upgradeable... The Motorola XOOM device will launch as a 3G/Wi-Fi-enabled device in Q1 2011 with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2. Starting in Q2 2011 the Motorola XOOM will be a 4G LTE/Wi-Fi- enabled device."

Is the 4G radio already built in, and a SOFTWARE upgrade will be forthcoming to allow the unit to function properly on LTE? If so, great. They can't mean an actual hardware radio upgrade would come I assume, correct?

 

[8-Bit-Soldier]

I think they mean you can buy a 4G sim card

 

[Wrathenn]

I read that 4g would initially be via an external modem, probably like a USB dongle. Then in Q2 2011 the device will start shipping with a 4G chipset.

 

[Don S]

I read that 4g would initially be via an external modem, probably like a USB dongle. Then in Q2 2011 the device will start shipping with a 4G chipset.

I doubt this is what they mean though. USB 4G dongles are available now, and that would not really line up with their quote that the XOOM would be 3g first "with an upgrade to 4G LTE in Q2". I would think either some H/W install of a 4G radio or SIM card, or some software upgrade (hoping for the latter) ..

 

[Don S]

Well it didn't take long to answer, looks like a hardware update in a VZ store. Ugggh

 

[karnka]

That sounds like a misinterpretation to me.

It'll be fitting the LTE sim and possibly a firmware flash. They won't be 'swapping out' any actual hardware.

 

[Don S]

That sounds like a misinterpretation to me.

It'll be fitting the LTE sim and possibly a firmware flash. They won't be 'swapping out' any actual hardware.

Interesting. If this is the case though, it would seem that they could include the SIM with the original shipment if that's all it is. I guess everything is just not quite ready yet. Oh well, not too big a deal I suppose overall. The tablet looks like it will be sweet still.

 

[drhill]

Maybe they won't give a 4g sim at the start because it would require switching data plans? So they get you in store.

The software upgrade for micro SD is really odd...

 

[ECFfighter7232]

Sounds like a VZW store wont be able to do it. This quote is from droid-life who is AT ces

I also received additional details on the 3G/4G XOOM situation. We know that the Q1 version of the XOOM will launch as a 3G device and can be upgraded to 4G. In order to upgrade though, users will have to send in their device to Moto and they will install new hardware to bring it up to speed. Seems like a huge task, but he assured me that they

 

[ckeegan]

Sounds like a VZW store wont be able to do it. This quote is from droid-life who is AT ces

Several sites are reporting that they were told a VZW store (w/ service center) will be able to do it. It would make no sense for people to send these to Moto, and I'm certain Moto doesn't want to deal with that either.

Guess we'll see. I'm just happy it's not some stupid dongle, modem, or anything external.

 

[ECFfighter7232]

Several sites are reporting that they were told a VZW store (w/ service center) will be able to do it. It would make no sense for people to send these to Moto, and I'm certain Moto doesn't want to deal with that either.

Guess we'll see. I'm just happy it's not some stupid dongle, modem, or anything external.

yeah i'm really hoping it wont have to go to moto cause that would be a huge pain. and Im REALLY glad to hear it wont have to be anything external!

 

[ckeegan]

yeah i'm really hoping it wont have to go to moto cause that would be a huge pain. and Im REALLY glad to hear it wont have to be anything external!

The liability alone for Moto to have to accept these shipments just seems like something they wouldn't want to deal with.

 

[Kylazin]

Q1 vs Q2? Why wouldn't Moto just wait to ship until Q2 to avoid this logistical nightmare?

 

[howarmat]

q1, first to market over many other tablets, q2 loses some bang is all

 

[Kylazin]

Bah, can't wait then. There are not really any good Android tablets currently.

 

[Android_LIFE]

Glad to hear the 3G ----> 4G upgrade will be done IN store...
AND....
thats its not going to be an external.

Woohoo...
Can't WAIT!!!!

 

[dmodert66]

I can confirm that the update will be handled "in store". I spoke directly with the product manager for the Xoom (incidently, he was also PM for the Droid (1).) He did mention that while details on the swap are still being ironed out, you may be without your tablet for a day or 2 (while VZW does the swap). I may have all of this on video (but I'm not sure and it is 3:21 in the morning in Vegas ATM). I'll update with a link if I do have him talking about the upgrade.

 

[Kylazin]

Meh. I hope it is a sim thing. I'd really hate to have some Verizon employee tearing down my tablet to swap something out. I don't really like anyone taking apart my electronics except for me.

 

[howarmat]

i would rather wait than have it torn apart i think also.

 

[ckeegan]

Meh. I hope it is a sim thing. I'd really hate to have some Verizon employee tearing down my tablet to swap something out. I don't really like anyone taking apart my electronics except for me.

i would rather wait than have it torn apart i think also.

Personally, I don't think it makes a difference. If Verizon screws up your Xoom, it's on them to replace it for no charge.

It also sounds like the hardware is specifically being designed to be upgraded, so the process shouldn't be terribly difficult for an in-store tech. They have also made it sound like the upgraded 3G version will not differ from the one with LTE pre-installed.

 

[Kylazin]

Well I'd really just like to have a release date for anything at this point before I start worrying about the upgradability =P

 

[melantus]

I brought this thread back from the dead because droid-life noticed something really intresting... A youtube video on Moto offical page has been replaced, and now the "obsolete" is gone 3G - 4G. Will we see moto back track out and say they can no longer do this? 28 seconds into each video will show you what was removed/replaced.

Offical:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1qwLtTukw&feature=player_embedded

Original Before the change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzydKdyAjps

 

[tyneusch]

Should this upgrade actually be available, what will this cost to the consumer? Anyone wondering about that little tid bit of info?

 

[ckeegan]

Will we see moto back track out and say they can no longer do this?

Doubtful, they did enough "world's first 4G upgradeable tablet" marketing. They would lose a class-action lawsuit in a hot second, and they know it.

 

[melantus]

I dono why remove one the major highlights out of your promo video? This was a major selling point, and now there removing traces of it...