New features set to launch for the Motorola XOOM on the Next G network
Motorola XOOM tablets have been flying off shelves around Australia since they went on sale late last month.
Customers are already telling us that their tablets have become constant companions serving up HD video, email and games on the go.
Soon, Telstra Next G® Motorola XOOM customers will be able to do even more with their tablets thanks to the introduction of new Android™ Honeycomb 3.1 software – which is set to be made available to all of our XOOM customers in July.
Here are some of the improvements and new features customers can expect from the new software:
- Full support for the final release of Adobe Flash Player 10.3, delivering significant performance enhancements when viewing rich Flash content on the web.
- Resizable widgets to enable further customisation of home screens.
- The MicroSD card reader activation enabling customers to play apps and media from MicroSD cards.
- Support for USB-connected peripherals and accessories, such as keyboards, mice, game controllers and digital cameras.
- Expanded Bluetooth features to support Bluetooth headsets in Google Talk™ video chats and Bluetooth mouse support in addition to additional shortcut keys with the Bluetooth keyboard
- Picture Transfer Protocol Feature support to enable easier transfer of photo files to your PC without the need for drivers.
- A file manager app allowing you to easily navigate through your storage.
Update availability
We expect to start testing the Android™ 3.1 software from next week. Testing will focus on ensuring all of the new features run smoothly on the Next G® network and in particular that the device and software deliver the best possible data speeds. We’re also testing to ensure the device performs in a reliable and stable manner.
We expect to make the software update available in July over-the-air — meaning customers will be able to download the update directly to their Motorola XOOM over Wi-Fi.
We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available.
Hmmmm, yes I see 3.2 update and installed same, so we have a new pulsating stylised M, for boot up, appears quicker. Someone explain citrix to me, what else do we see????? Telstra application does what????
Telstra application does what???? Absolutely Nothing! Have asked tech department and they can’t tell us either, just that on phones it’s gives weather and a host of other goodies, but on the Xoom wasted space!
Nice to see the notification for the 3.2 update on this blog, oops, sorry still no official notification from Telstra, my mistake!
It is true, not sure what it provides
After much trouble with Explodafone and Floptus I thought i’d update fully a got myself a 3.0.1 XOOM only to have bill shock plan change failures and not getting the correct info about the product at the point of sale, (this being the Tlife shop in Albany W.A.), they told me that i’d not only have sdcard functions out of the box but also that external hard drives would function likewise and the great big grey elephant sitting in the corner that I would have 4g lte in the future what a load of rotting excrement.. I’ve taken the back plate off of my device and can tell you all that you won’t get 4g lte because the micro pci socket present in OS models has been REMOVED COMPLETELY from the internal hardware so not only can it not have it but they’ve been lying through their eye teeth about it being possible.. So to Helstra I say this when are you going to tell the truth or are we just a source of more money for corporate pay rises for execs who run the company into the ground ruin the brand name and then hold their hands out saying reward us now that we’ve robbed the country blind.. As a dedicated journo used to say SHAME, SHAME, SHAME SHAME on you Telstra.. I’ll NEVER be buying anything or getting another plan from your company EVER again you lie and cheat and want a pat on the back for it, HA i’d rather take you out the back and show you what we do in my town to liars and thieves..
One thing i noted straight away is dockmode works properly now
Are you connecting a 3.5″ external USB HD? Have got the right cable but cannot seem to see anything I connect. Xoom is 32GB Wi-Fi/3g and 32GB Micro-SD card installed (working).
Any obvious things I am missing?
Certainly has been misleading, if not deceptive on both their parts.
Well, HC 3.2 seems to be quitegood!!!, some annoying flicker in the browser, but battery life and I have been using heavily this week, is now 5 days and 3 hours, now thats better than before. So battery has been tweeked. Seems to be better lock on, when connected to wifi. Bring on ICS!!!!
Well went to Telstra today to get a new phone and sen that on there system they have Xoom2 listed, Lady had a look but couldnt give me a date or anything.
if Telstra was serious in keeping interest alive in so far as keeping current with Xoom, then first update Andrew Volard’s blog, its out of date and now meaningless, especially the bit about flying off the shelfs, should read, “after stalling and entering into a flat spin”, and somewhere mention 3.2 is now up and running, making it as competitive as the other android tablets. Dont let us schmucks who have them now think we brought a loser, hmmm may be too late for that?
If xoom 2 is going to be sold by telstra, I feel sorry for the poor souls who probably won’t be reading this blog about the xoom 1. Believe me, their going to have the same slow updates with the xoom 2. Those of you who are not on a contract should root. I’ve been on 3.2 for two months and will be installing ICS when it’s released by the developers. I can’t see telstra releasing ICS you 12 months..
Why are Telstra shops saying the XOOM is 4G upgrade able and now Telstra is saying it wont ever be upgraded? Lies to sell a product?
Hi Dan Sorry about the misinformation. Can you please let me know the store(s) that told you this and what day you were there so I can gat an investigation started?
Brendan – A group of us bought at the following stores (after being told there was no bulk discounts allowed) – Centrepoint Sydney, Westfield Parramatta, Rouse Hill, Chatswood, Jb HiFi Telstra stand Blacktown… Can’t get whole list, the other blokes are at sea arm. Cause we use Tablets heaps when in port we wanted the fastest units. Total if 30I bought outright.. Most of us were told 3Gthere to 4G. City store said “LTE network” just like some carriers in the US have done. Taking the information in good faith from mostly Telstra staff we all went ahead and bought the units. Now some of us are told they are and never will be upgraded to the new network. They are in the US, maybe in future we should all wait for a trip to the US before buying telco equipment. If these staff dont know with 100%the certainty, then, they as the face of Telstra should not make claims that cannot be backed by truth.
Hi Dan, Thanks for the feedback. I’m writing this up and passing along so those in charge who look after these particular stores are well aware of what you guys experienced.
Brerendan this shouldn’t come as any surprise, if you look back over this XOOM thing, there were many of us who bought at the release and were all told the same, I’ll be honest with you in saying I’m still considering go to taking action over this missrepresentation that was made to us. Looking for some sort of compensation for being out and out lied too. We pointed this out some time ago and looks like it’s still being used as amiss leading sales tool.
Brendan, this is NOT a new thing, I was told this by a Telstra phone consultant, right at the start, I am an early adopter, then a few months ago,when this blew up after we heard that the MZ601 was not 4G capable in a blunt statement from Telstra, and I have again checked as recently as 3 weeks ago, the message was, Yes Xoom is 4G capable.Something is not working within Telstra, and we are not happy.
Brendan, you should be well aware of this,. months ago many of us here were furious to learn that having bought/contracted for our Xooms at launch we were told that we would get 4G access and upgrading with them, it is well documented earlier on in this forum/blog whatever.
And yet it appears that the lies are still going on!
I’m still giving very serious consideration to taking this to the appropriate body, (When we bought our Xoom 2 others whom I know and my wife were present and all of us heard clearly about the 4g and how it would boost the performance etc. if we purchased a XOOM.) Similar things have happened with Xooms in the UK and elsehwre including the on and off updates etc. and the xoom owners were given compensation. Maybe Telstra should given consideration to this or face actions from users!
Sorry for the typos. Should read 30 purchases,3G to 4G , sea atm.
Under Australian consumer protection laws, if you are sold a product that does not do as it is claimed to (upgradable to 4G), you are entitled to a full refund. So stop your complaining and either get your money back or just live with it. Enough said…
Shane its all very well to say people are protected under consumer law…but why should that many consumers have to exercise such a right and be stuck with a product so long, anticipating an upgrade that contrary to advice by. Telstra staff is never going to see the light of day. When is Telstra going to stop doing this kind of thing. They did it with ATRIX, XOOM and how many other products. Class action is the only thing that will work with Telstra. Telstra have a lot of terrific staff and an excellent network but top management let both customers and staff down constantly through lack of training and misrepresentation.
Good idea Dan, why don’t you start a class action? Set up a facebook page and see how much support you have. Or would you rather just continue to whine like everyone else?
Shane that is a most apathetic response. The whole Xoom product has been a debarkle from release right up to today, both by Motorola and Telstra in just about every area.
To leave this in the manner that you suggest will just allow for more of the same from Telstra and it’s staff.
The fact that we are getting ZIP replies from Telstra I think also says a lot.
Just take a good look throughout this blog, thread whatever it’s called and it’s easy to see that there have been some very unhappy campers who took Telstra by it’s word that the Xoom was going to be a great experience, whilst the hardware might be sound, the backup has been terrible, even now, weeks after 3.2 was released, STILL NO OFFICIAL WORD HERE, even after they said they would advise.
The heading to all this is still a joke, sprouting about 3.1 updates.
No the 4G promisses and sales pitch can’t be left to wither or more Telstra customers will get stung if not with Xoom other products.
You are right Shane, great idea. I am not too sure about legal side though. I think I’ ll start a phone around to some of the Civil Solicitors offices, then so what you said with social network etc. if they feel it is going to be worth pursuing. Gee, thanks for the motivation, didn’t even consider starting this one myself. Fingers crossed. If all is good Ill get details posted asap. I already have 23 people interested.
Telstra, you have been caught out!! This “we didnt know” wont wash with us. All of us did our homework we are fools, 4G was one of the major considerations, do you think we would spend premium money on a equipment that had no future. You have let us down, fix it. Oh there are other forums where this is being aired, unfavourably to you and Motorola. So if you moderate this post, well it speaks volumes.
Is huffing and puffing going to resolve it, not really the solution is for Telstra to cop up a 4g hub, when such a beast exists, to the owners, on plan and outright that sits on the current data plan and here we are connected to 4G. Class actions take years, and costs and on balance I would rather hold them accountable, they know it. My issue is that telstra gets updates from Motorola to us on time, without delay. Just today Motorola has announced ICS for us, and negotiating with networks for release dates. Let’s see who are the leaders, who want our custom!!!!!!
I haven’t checked in to the Telstra Exchange for quite some time and I am definitely glad I have not! This thread has turned into an absolute waste of time.
To all those crying and having a rant over the Motorola Xoom (not being 4G compatible, Xoom 2 being released etc.), I have news for all of you..
WAKE UP!!! Telstra is the SERVICE PROVIDER for a product manufactured by a DIFFERENT COMPANY. If you have any issues with the service Telstra provides (that is, the Next G network), by all means have a ‘cry’ and complain. If this were the case, you would actually have a valid complaint.
The whining about the Xoom 2 being released and the blame being put on Telstra is beyond a joke. Face reality! Mobile phones, cars, TECHNOLOGY updates each and everyday. Cry more or cry less. Some of the comments that have been posted here; they really do speak for themselves.
Best of luck with your ‘class action’
Dear me, you are right but so wrong at the same time.
Yes Telstra is the service provider, yes Telstra are the service provider of 4G and yes Telstra staff used 4G being available on the Xooms they were and are selling as a sales tool.
Motorola don’t choose Telstra as a seller, Telstra select which devices they sell!
And as far as this site is concerned, Telstra have that much interest in it, they aren’t even up to date with what software upgrades they have put out, still announcing the 3.1 upgrade, I mean to say thats professional isn’t it, and such a great marketing tool! Lol Lol Lol. And I would poiont out that they have become so sensitive, half of the posts being put in here AREN’T being put up, so a raw nerve or two being touched.
SO much hostility in here LOL.
Anyway Icecream sandwich runs good on the Xoom, just thought i would let you all know
Ado – I assume you got from XDA, What are this issues you have experienced, looks like the camera functionality is not working and there is some green banner being reported, or is the version you have got these fixed.
I don’t use the 3G on my Xoom anyway – tether to my iPhone, some more people may want to think of that….best of both worlds – Apple and Android, Phone calls on Phone, Data available from both.
FYI – LTE is so little value at present as it is so localised and switches to 3G when out of range anyway. By the time Telstra have it available more broadly you device will be up for renewal anyway.
You can talk about principal as much as you want….but for a retailer/service provider this is measured by churn – so if not happy – walk.
Hope you don’t have a major breakdown, and that you aren’t on a Telstra contract with your device, your warranty entitlements flew right out the window!
Well, I just had an experience with Motorola and my Xoom and must say, their service was outstanding and I am talking the week before Christmas, Cudos Motorola. Telstra well as Marty says”…. if not happy-Walk” seems good advice.
OK, so all the threads about the sales people at Telstra shops selling the Xoom with the promise of 4g availability have now conveniently been removed.
Wonderful, so do we have to drag sales staff up before the telecommunications ombudsman, is that what Telstra want?
For those that actually want to do something, other than just whinge that is, the Dept of Commerce has lots of info on consumer protection for sandgropers. In NSW it used to the Dept of Fair Trading, not sure about the other states. Let us know how you go.
Hi all, to those worrying about their xooms not having access to 4G. It’s going to be years before telstra can provide decent coverage of 4G on any platform. There have been ads on tv saying you can connect to 4G at most airports and major cities in aust. Now lets be realistic guys and gals, who’s going to drive out to the airport or int perth city to use 4G. I’m using my xoom through either wifi at home or through my mobile’s hot spot facility. I have rooted my xoom and am running HC3.2. ICS4 should be released by XDA developers soon and I’ll be running that. The xoom is a great device and since google bought out motorola we guaranteed future updates. Forget about telstra you are all getting agro over nothing.
Hear Hear Bob!
The Xoom just works for me too.
Would be interested to know any users comments or suggested links on running a Xoom rooted? As this means you are basically operating the device as Root (admin) user surely it leaves it open for attack?
Am a Linux Ubuntu user BTW.
So we have it available right here, right now, right where we live and you are saying that I shouldn’t ask for what I had been sold when buying. Come on.
Just turned on my XOOM and receive a SMS from Tèlstra “You have unlimited texts to Tèlstra 1234″.
Could someone from Tèlstra tell me how I do that on my XOOM, I really would like to know, as I haven’t worked out yet how to send SMS’s on the XOOM.
Yea. Lack of an proper SMS client is a pain. Especially when the plan includes text messaging as a charge. What is worse is getting these notifications that people have tried to Call my tablet and to call some number to listen to voice mail…
Hello Telstra, anyone home, I’d still like to know how I can send a text from my Xoom to 1234 please, answer needed urgently to take up your limited free offer.
Well hello Telstra, still can’t hear an answer to my original question. You’ve made me a limited time official offer, and now that time is running out. How do I use the free SMS’s on my Xoom.
Hi Jeff, SIM cards come with a number attached and can receive notifications, but unfortunately the Xoom is one a few devices we have that cannot utilize outbound SMS. Sorry for any confusion.
You would think, Telstra could block voice calls to data numbers?? or leave a message that the call to this number cannot be made as it is a data access point and not monitored. surely this technology exists?
I’m guessing if I put my sin in my old Nokia and disable call redirects they should probably stop it from going to voice mail but why have it on to start with for a tablet :/
Aren’t they just brilliant!!!!!!!!! Goes to show they are just a phone company… still.. And the moral of the story, ” dont buy anything else but a phone from telstra”
The last part of your reply Brendan is spot on, why isn’t it done by Telstra? We shouldn’t have to fuss around on this. May be for Xooms, not sure on other tablet manufactures and voice capabilities within their platform.
Just to give you some alternative insight:
I puposely got the Xoom with the phone plan, to not use the 3G capability ( except when convenient ). The SIM was for my iPhone which is tethered to the Xoom. Data on both devices.
This allows me to receive inbound calls and SMS’s to a phone.
I don’t use voice mail, I redirect any unanswered calls to Skype, which I can pickup on my desktop, iPhone and Tablet ( simultaneously ). Voice Mail is on Skype, so I have free access to it from anywhere on any device ( is this considered cloud telephony? )
Outgoing calls are made via Viber or Skype.
This gives me maximum connectivity ( phone and data ) anywhere, with the added benefit the kids can hook into the iPhone hotspot when on trips in the car.
It also allowed me to get a tablet on a plan, which means work pays for it.
ICS upgrade is coming, even if via xda….i don’t care re Telstra.
May not be for everyone, but just offering some ideas.
4G realistically is of little value to most people who are outside the small CBD bounds it covers, for which you are most probably in access to WiFi anyway (at work). By the time its available, you will have upgraded anyway.
You guys need to stop worrying about what you don’t have, and start looking at what you can do to get the most out of the Xoom.
Motorola XOOM WiFi Android 4.0 ICS update officially rolling out today in the US.
The update has been officially released to all Telco’s for customisation, including Telstra.
Can we get an official response to this news, and a timeline for rollout.
Brendan – [Your Community Manager] says:
12 Jan 2012 at 3:30 pm
Hi Jeff, SIM cards come with a number attached and can receive notifications, but unfortunately the Xoom is one a few devices we have that cannot utilize outbound SMS. Sorry for any confusion.
Android 4.0 ICS XOOM release notes from Motorola:
Type with your voice Now you can simply touch the microphone on the keyboard and start talking to
write emails, SMS, or any other text—more than 20 languages supported. Text appears in real time, so
there’s no waiting for server processing.
So Brendan, given this information will full SMS support be provided by Telstra ?
The stupid stupid part of all this appart from what has been stated is, if you have a dig around in the files and apps etc. on your Telstra Xoom, there is infact a dialer app on board!!!!!!!
Brendan, whats your answer to that, as well as Motorolas voice recording for SMS’s????? through Ice Cream Sandwich.
And for heavens sake, change the opening of this thread, it’s still giving details of 3.1, we are on 3.2 with hopefully ICS to come, it looks so so un-professional!!!!
Not holding my breath for a reply.
Scott,
My view on this is if Telstra don’t want to spend time adding their applications to the XOOM ICS image, they should have the courage to say so, and then release the update “as is”.
It surprises me that people like Andrew Vollard and Brendan O’Keefe, given their experience in the industry, and position within Telstra, constantly remain non-committal on issue which obviously are important for their customers.
This is not good enough, and I will be raising my concerns with the TIO.
I think there will be quite a few who will join you in that one. Most dissapointing experience…
Good point I’ve asked before but Telstra refuse to answer, Why do we have the Telstra One app. widget on the Xoom, from day one by the way, and it can’t be updated and doesn’t do anything????
Having now been OFFICIALLY informed that Telstra NOW has Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) android operating system from them for testing, could we pleased be advised what Telstra’s timeline is for making it available to there suffering Xoom customers?
Thats should read from Motorola Australia.
This just gets better, Motorola has said on its facebook page, that it will be Q2, before we see it. So either Telstra will stall it out and blame Motorola for tweeks , or Motorola will blame telstra, or telstra may approve really quick and make themselves look like heroes. Someone tell me this is a bad joke.
To all Telstra Xoom users, I have raised a complaint to the TIO in regards to the way in which Telstra have conducted themselved in marketing the XOOM.
Specifically my complaint relates to 3 areas.
1. 4G misrepresentation at Point of sale.
2. Lack of upgrades for TelstraOne leading to higher 3G data usage. (ie no free content)
3. Lack of any communication in regards to ICS support for the XOOM despite official communication from Motorola.
I’ll let you know how things progress.
I suspect that Telstra will let me out of my contact, or allow me to choose another tablet (not that there is a lot of choice, when you exclude iDevices)
would really like a response as to why telstra continues to gimp perfectly good devices ..show a bit of respect for a change and pass on updates from the vendor…respond please and explain why we have not / will not provide this update other than telstra’s contempt for its customers
I cant see why such a hold up on ICS , i have it running on mine AOSP project and everything works, Camera is fine, #g is fine all working well, and this isnt even a final ROM. If you want it you can get it and install it but you will need a rooted xoom and sdcard.
C’mon telstra it isnt that hard.
Hi all, I’ll drink to that Ado. I’m running ICS EOS and it works great. It’s not hard to root your xoom (sounds horrible doesn’t it).
Hello, knock knock, Tèlstra is anyone home? I’m not hearing anything from you about the Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich update for your Australian XOOM customers. This concerns me as Google are now talking Q2 for the release of there Android 5, Jelly bean for tablets system. Would be nice if those of use who paid top dollar for these thmgs and then signed up like suckers for 3g plans were told what’s happening with Telstras update roll out, but then that would just be a common courtesy, too much tto expect I guess.
Dam this site is quiet. You guys should look at http://www.xoomforums.com/. All you need is there. I’ve rooted my xoom and am running ICS4 with no problems. I’ve still got 3G access with Telstra. Don’t waste your time waiting for a release of ICS here.
Which one Bob did you root with? I am over the waiting, I had a look on the forum couldn’t identify it. Cheers
Goes to show just how much Telstra wants to keep a faaaaar distance from this product, they must be in fear of TOS and ACCC action. I hear there are a few popping up now. I think rooting is the way to go, so sick of it.
I can confirm that the correct one is “EU 3G Xoom (umts_everest / MZ601)”. It is currently version 1.0.0, but don’t let that fool you. It is rock solid and comes from the many nightly release where a lot of testing has been done. The open source community has quickly stepped into the void left by Tel$tra
Wouldn’t you think Telstra would wake up and make an offer to upgrade to XOOM 2, at a very generous offer to all early adopters of XOOM 1. Sort of “we are “sorry we made you guinea pigs” we did not know what we do and our communication with you in this time has been far from acceptable.
IS IT JUST ME, BUT ALL THE COMMENTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP?
If you are not satisfied with the lack of information coming from telstra, and the insanely slow updates, Just take things into your own hands, Root your device, Unlock it, and install whatever ICS Rom you want… they are pretty amazing, you will notice a massive performance improvement, no more lag, and whats best, if you unlock it, you can use which ever provider you want! obviously doing this you will void your warranty, but once you learn how to update the rom you wont really need support anyway.. unless you drop it and physically break it. but i dont think warranty covers that anyway.
Seriously Telstra, how can you not understand, all the people want is to be kept in the loop! Even if there are problems with something so what! Tell us and people will understand! or you will end up losing more and more customers just from the pure fustration of being left in the dark.
While my ass points to the ground I won’t be buying anything else from telstra. And yes, I have rooted my xoom and am running ICS, works perfect..
You’ve just got to laugh at times or cry if you were told as many Xoom owners have reported here before, that we would be able to upgrade our Telstra Xooms to 4G, wjhen you read an item like the following from the Gizmodo site;
We knew it was coming “soon”, and “soon” turns out to be “today” if you’re a business customer, and next Tuesday for consumers.
The 4G Wi-Fi hotspot — officially the Telstra Mobile Wi-Fi 4G, although some site documentation still refers to it as the “Ultimate Mobile Wi-Fi” — is available today for business customers on a $29.95/$39.95 plan with $99 device payment, or free on $49.95/$89.95 plans; it’s also available outright for $299.
“I’m a noted fan of Wi-Fi hotspots, and a 4G hotspot is particularly appealing; in effect pair this with any tablet, and it’ll become a 4G-capable tablet. It certainly puts an interesting spin on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 4G’s pricing”. [Telstra]
The poor guy hasn’t got a clue that A Telstra Xoom Tablet is as close to using 4G as the Telstra sales-mens promises.
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/03/telstras-4g-wi-fi-hotspot-launches-at-299/
Exactly.. dont know why anyone would bother paying all that extra cash for 3 or 4g capability. Prepaid hotspots go for about $99.
Seeing were were mislead when purchasing the Xoom bytelstra as to its 4G late, which typically we have a different 4g network, who would have guessed…!!!!! The logical step is the hot spot but how do you get the modem connected dyo the mini USB, is there an adapter?
Its wireless, you connect to your hotspot just like you would your wireless home network. You can leave the hotspot plugged into the power through the mini usb, or you can run it on batteries.
You will need to use a wireless hotspot. These use WIFI to connect the devices.
I see the ACCC taking on Apple for misleading statements about 4G and the new IPad. May be a focus shift on what we were told when we got the Xoom, could be following!
Telstra just to keep YOU up to date, the XOOM in the US is getting it’s second ICS update (WiFi) today and you still won’t tell us poor Telstra saps here in Australia anything.
Oh b7y the way, you’ve lost another sale, Samsung Galaxy Note being bought through a different carrier due to Telstra/Xoom experience and the total rudeness of staff at the Telstra Kotara Store and the fact that they lied to us when we took the Xoom on board about 4G being available for it!