Motorola XOOM zips down in price, now $499 for a 32GB Honeycomb tablet

Our friends from MobileSyrup.com reported that Motorola's XOOM tablet is now $100 cheaper in Future Shop and Best Buy. The dual-core 1GHz tablet comes with 32Gb memory as well as a great assortment of features. We've had a lab unit for testing apps and there are a number of things we like about it like the quick recharge time, quick response and slick metal body, we also love the video quality on the XOOM although the slow adoption of apps has kept us from spending a lot of time with it.

At $499, this is a really great price for a 32GB 10.1" tablet, specially since Android 3.1 and 3.2 are on their way and should refine the experience. This makes other $499 16GB tablets seem expensive now, and the 16GB 7" inch tablets now just look exorbitant. How will competition react?

Why the price drop?

It is hard to speculate or guess what Motorola is thinking but they are either clearing the way for an updated model or sales are far below their expectations and slashing prices is one sure way to get people's interest.

Sources: MobileSyrup.com

              Future Shop

Review: HP Pivot on TouchPad

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

One of the more interesting components of the HP TouchPad is an app-specific tablet-zine that helps users learn more about available applications and also gives an insight on the developer community. Accessible through the TouchPad's HP Touch Catalog, Pivot is a novel way to promote the new ecosystem.

Click to read more ...

First Look: HP TouchPad 32GB

We have a review unit HP TouchPad in hand to review for a few weeks. Here are some photos from our earlier unboxing, the keyboard and TouchStone charger boxes as well as some comparative pictures with other 10.1" inch tablets the iPad 2 as well as the Motorola XOOM. Full review to follow as soon as we've had some time to test it out thoroughly.

We found that webOS does translate nicely to the larger screen, the rounded shape makes it a bit easier to carry and that it is fairly intuitive to use. Now that we've seen it, the OS multitasking similarities to the BlackBerry's PlayBook OS are more evident. 

Lucky attendees at an exclusive #touchPadTO event held last night each got a free TouchPad for showing up, so there are some units in the wild.  We also learned last week from the HP Connected event that qualifying webOS developers will get a discount or can sign up for a 60 day  Loaner Program for the 32GB version of the tablet.

The TouchPad ships in Canada on July 15th starting at $499 for the 16GB version.

Related stories

- RIM BlackBerry PlayBook Review

- Motorola XOOM WiFi Review

- Apple iPad 2 Review

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" Review

- Apple iPad Review

Source: Chris Brooker

Apple Expo 2011 Canada happens next week

Apple Expo 2011 will take place on July 12 at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. There's still time to regaister for this yearly Mac and iOS centric event. Starting at noon to 7PM. Lots of new showcases on Mac products as well as App development, iPads and iPhones. Many learning seminars to attend.

Details 

Registration to Expo: $20

Registration to Conference sessions (includes full access to Expo): $50

For more information or to register: www.appleexpo.ca 

Simply enter the promo code PK679 when you register, for a $10 off your entrance fee.