Motorola officially announces, details Android 3.1 update for Xoom

By Anndrew Vacca
last updated

Motorola has officially announced the Android 3.1 update rolling out to Verizon Xoom owners this week, first detailed by Google yesterday in San Francisco. Improvements will include:

  • Support for the new Android Market movie rentals service with thousands of titles available for immediate viewing on the Motorola XOOM’s high-resolution display or on a larger screen via HDMI
  • Full support for the final release of Adobe® Flash® Player 10.2, delivering significant performance enhancements when viewing rich Flash content on the web
  • Resizable widgets to enable further customization of home screens
  • 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

While some have already received the update, Motorola says that the new and improved Honeycomb will be rolling out to Verizon customers throughout the week, with the WiFi version and “other variants” of the Xoom receiving the update “in the next few weeks.” Hit the source link for Motorola’s official press release.

Source: Motorola Mobility Media Center (opens in new tab)

Anndrew Vacca
Anndrew Vacca
26 Comments
  • Mouse support? Awesome
  • Dude the usb enhancements are too nice.
  • Yeah dude, this is awesome
  • Ipsec VPN please!
  • WiFi within the next few weeks!!! This is ridiculous . So just cuz I didn't pay more for my tablet I'm not entitled to a timely update like the Verizon version. Idk. If this is fair.
  • Yeah, its bogus that us wifi-only customers have to wait longer.
  • The update for the wifi xoom is out - mine came in overnight. I suspect it may be staged so that the downloads do not overwhelm their servers.
  • No, it is not ridiculous. The Verizon 3G Xoom came out first (February 24, 2011). The Wi-Fi only Xoom came out in April. If updates are queued up, does it not sound reasonable that the device that came out first should get a priority on updates? Also, does it not stand to reason that since the 3G Xoom was the first to be released, it would be the first that went through the testing needed to make sure the update is solid? Please user your heads. We are Android users, not fruit company device users.
  • GO ANDROID! GREAT UPDATE! NOW IM THINKIN THE PRICE TAG FOR THE XOOM ISN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL.
  • No sdcard support yet?????? wtf!!
  • First let me say I agree we should have sdcard support... Let me also say that it is such irony that Samsung Galaxy 10.1 fans are saying how the lack of an sdcard slot is no big deal due to the cloud while many Xoom owners are furious over the lack of sdcard!
  • Yeah I agree, Samsung doesn't even have a sd card slot and people arent saying nothing about that.
  • I know this is probably a stupid question.... I assume the usb connection update does not allow you to plug in a USB printer and print to it? Is this just because of printer drivers?
  • I thought a Xoom was a Xoom and all models would have Google's unofficial developer status and we'd be getting the upgrades first. That was a big factor influencing my decision to get a wifi only Xoom and not a cheaper Transformer or a lighter Galaxy Tab. But it seems google thinks otherwise. I'm disappointed and concerned about future upgrades. Will I have to wait weeks more than Verizon Xoom owners to get ice cream sandwich?
  • Please see my comment above. "No, it is not ridiculous. The Verizon 3G Xoom came out first (February 24, 2011). The Wi-Fi only Xoom came out in April. If updates are queued up, does it not sound reasonable that the device that came out first should get a priority on updates? Also, does it not stand to reason that since the 3G Xoom was the first to be released, it would be the first that went through the testing needed to make sure the update is solid? Please user your heads. We are Android users, not fruit company device users." The Xoom does appear to be getting the updates first over the other devices. They just seem to be starting out with the device that came out first (which is totally understandable). And by the way, there are already reports of Wi-Fi Xoom users getting updates so people need to calm down. BTW, where is the official announcement from Samsung and Asus that the Galaxy Tab and the Transformer are getting their updates??? Here's the official announcement from Motorola:
    http://mediacenter.motorola.com/Content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=13994&News...
  • Why I bought the Verizon Xoom for the price of a Wifi model, plus I like my ALL black Xoom instead of the silverback Wifi. $600 for 32GB, HD dock speaker,cases and silicon sleeve. People with VZW Xoom selling now need to compete with Wifi model price. I love it!
  • You waited for a wifi version so quit crying because you have to wait for the update. It makes plenty sense that verizon version got it first since they paid to have first 3.0 tablet in market...
  • People with wifi tablets are already getting ota. Chill the hell out people
  • XDA Devs got 3.1 working on the WiFi only version, and it's rooted: https://t.co/6WUnkgn
  • Great if you're a Verizon customer. Not so great if you're not. Enjoy your update, Verizon Xoom owners. When I eventually decide to get a tablet, it sure as heck won't be a Xoom.
  • Cool story bro.
  • who is pushing the update, moto or verizon? I didn't want to wait for a wifi only model so I bought a verizon one with no verizon service. Either way, still no update for me.
  • I have the 3g and no update yet for me in NC bought it day 2 it came out. I think us Android users at least the ones that use this Android Central have Zero ability to wait for anything. I am included in that
  • I have an unactivated Verizon 3G Xoom. Does that qualify for first upgrades or does it actually have to be activated through Verizon before it counts?
  • >"Picture Transfer Protocol Feature support to enable easier transfer of photo files to your PC without the need for drivers" Gross. I would MUCH rather have real USB Mass Storage Mode support, so I can transfer ANY files from ANY computer without the need for drivers or strange things like MTP. Every Android device prior to 3.0 supports it USB Mass Storage (that I know of, anyway). I guess I shouldn't be holding my breath...
  • just updated NY wifi xoom. Thought I was going to have to wait awhile, guess not, awesome!