I recently had the opportunity to use both a Motorola Xoom and an iPad 2 over the period of a weekend. I already own an HTC EVO 4G (rooted and running Android 2.2) and a first generation iPod Touch, so I am very familiar with both operating systems and the availability of applications for each. Both tablet devices were snappy and preformed well for core functionality (web, email client, book reader apps), but surprisingly the local video playback on the Xoom was very pixilated. Unfortunately this may be a configuration issue rather than a problem with the device.
I had a similar problem with my EVO 4G that I resolved by changing read speed for the Micro SDHC card to 20 MB/Sec from the default of 3 MB/Sec. I am not sure if the stock value that will work with any micro SD card was set by Google or HTC, but as the 8GB Class 2 card that comes with the phone can support a speed of 10 MB/Sec. Fortunately, since the Android OS is customizable, I was as I said able to resolve the problem. I wonder however why HTC did not adjust the value to optimize device performance.
In my opinion, the ability to customize the UI, system setting and various elements of the operation system is both the greatest strength and weakness of the Android OS. I love the Android OS and the ability to configure my phone to my taste was what attracted me to the platform. However, I feel that this is also a weakness because, whereas I have optimized my phone to perform faster and have a better then stock battery life, much of what I did should be been done by the phone manufacturers who. My natural inclination to learn drove me to search developer forums, seeking out the ways in which to optimize my device for my liking and make if perform as it should. However, what is the non-tech minded Android owner to do? My honest answer is to buy an iPhone.
I am not saying that a non-tech types can’t learn to use Android devices, my wife is can use hers just fine, once I made a few changes and taught her a few things about it. Having owned iOS devices, I can honestly say that they always just work. The UI has become a little out dated and could use a refresh, but Apple controls the hardware and the software and with the exception of the antenna issues with the iPhone 4, the devices always deliver a great performance. This experience emphasizes the idea iOS devices are properly tuned from the factory, as all devices of this nature should be.
This brings be back to my experiences with the Xoom and iPad2. As many reviewers have already stated, the Android 3.0 OS is a little clunky. Although the UI enhancements to the app drawer and home screen are nice, apps seemed to load slowly for a dual core processor. However, although there are only a limited number of Honeycomb optimized apps, every Android app I used on the device including many that I downloaded scaled beautifully to full screen. This is a big advantage this device has over the iPad2 who’s apps if not optimized for the larger screen looked horrible when in full screen mode. The speakers on the Xoom also left something to be desired, there was a tinny sound to them. I don’t know how Apple does it, but the speakers both generations of the iPads have always had a full rich sound.
Beyond that, both devices became heavy in the hand after 20 minutes or so of holding so I found ways to prop each of them up. The Xoom did not have a case which made it harder and to be honest, the iPad2’s magic cover became rather annoying. It left marks on the screen where the creases formed for the cover, it did not fold to the triangle shape as easy as I felt it should and it always felt a little unstable. The fact that it tuned the device on when opened was nice, but not much a time saver as all of the devices I use have passwords on them.
In the end, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of both devices, I have to say that in my opinion, the iPad2 is the better device. I always knew what to expect from the iPad2 from a performance standpoint and it always delivered on a consistent basis. I think I will always carry an Android Smartphone, but if I was in the market for a tablet today, I would buy the iPad2.
