Motorola Razr and Xoom 2: we tested them!

On the occasion of the launch party of Motorola Razr 2 and Xoom tablets, we were able to take control of these Android devices to deliver you our first impressions.

If you follow diligently the current high-tech, including PCWorld, you are probably aware, Motorola Mobility (being acquired by Google) is waking up and is positioned at the end of year on terminals Android high-end with three exciting new products: the smartphone and tablet Xoom Razr 2 (10.1'') and Xoom Media Edition 2 (8.2''). Three products already presented in our columns we had the chance to try last night at a launch event in Paris. Needless to say we did not pray for made ??three crushing machines that share look, philosophy, characteristics and ambition.

Not necessarily remember all the characteristics of the Razr, which prides itself on being the thinnest smartphone in the world, we must recognize that this is an impressive Androphone. What is striking at first is of course the fine hand. 7.1 mm on almost all of the surface, it does not leave indifferent even if it is imposing with its 4.3''screen, this finesse allows it to remain very discreet in his pocket. This is clearly one of its most significant assets, even if it leaves no tell otherwise. We must recognize its QHD display (960 x 540) AMOLED Super Plus (a Samsung?) Good qualities, with really bright colors. As for the overall design is a box full, the mix of black graphite and metallic reflections gives the smartphone a nice pace. Especially the build quality will be one of the highlights of the campaign from Motorola. Treaty on the outside and inside to be hydrophobic and withstand drops of rain as the glass of water falling, the Razr also has the look of his back with unbreakable Kevlar and glass Gorilla Glass.

Difficult to evaluate the sensor 8 MP camera in low light (noise quite marked and LED flash, which tends to burn out the subjects too close) but the recorded video in 1080p seem to go pretty well. As for the rest of the features is the high-end SoC with a dual-core 1.2 GHz, which decodes the HD, 1 GB RAM and 16 GB of ROM expandable to 48 GB with microSD. Compatible WiFi dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz, it embeds a 1780 mAh battery that promises a battery life of 250 hours standby, 450 minutes talk time and 120 minutes in conf 'video. Already in shops € 549 naked, and 49 € with SFR formula Square Web (through an offer of repayment of € 100 on the season), the Motorola Razr moved immediately from the Android smartphones most prominent. Especially if it comes with Gingerbread 2.3, it will have its upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich by early next year.

The side of the Xoom 2, Motorola associated himself with the variation in two screen sizes as did Samsung with its Galaxy Tab. Thus, it will take 2 with Xoom and IPS of 10.1''screen at 1280 x 800 and 2 Xoom Media Edition and IPS screen of 8.2''to the same definition. Do not ask "why Media Edition", no one is able to comment on the choice of the most questionable marketing. Like Samsung, there is actually little that differentiate the two models increased their size. The 8.2''is just slightly thicker (0.1 mm), it is lighter with 385 g against 599 g, and loads a battery of 3900 mAh (about 6 hours of browsing via WiFi) against 7000 mAh (about 10:20 in navigation WiFi) to 10.1''.

For the rest, the hearts-hearts with OMAP dual-core 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A9, 1 GB RAM and 16 GB of storage (a 32GB model is available in 10.1 ' '). After a quick test in SunSpider Benchmark 0.9.1 and Pi - they never change - the Xoom 2 are a little hair better than tablets Honeycomb / Tegra 2 spent writing. So it's more in the HD decoding the difference may be even on real multi-threaded applications. The 5 MP sensor cash back video in 1080p then found a 1.3 MP front. In short, Motorola offers a real choice of screen size to the consumer, and positions of a tariff perspective skilfully with both models, the Xoom 2 being launched at € 459 and 2 Xoom Media Edition to 399 € .

The Xoom 10.1 2 "left, and the Media Edition 8.2" on the right

In hand, these two make a good impression Xoom. It's hard with the integration on the back button on / off and volume, as well as pregnant misplaced for holding the tablet in landscape mode. But we must recognize that the quality is there, again with considerable finesse and an original design with beveled corners such that shock less than what one would think. The tablet running Android 3.2 Honeycomb, but will also have the right to switch to 4.0 by early next year. Also oriented productivity, the company's market is historically important for Motorola, these tablets will be complemented by a complete set of accessories, from pen to keyboard, mouse and dock.

Beyond their design and their design, these three Android devices Motorola will obviously need some additional benefits to stand out on the market. They can count as such - not on a customization of Android as polished as that of its Samsung Galaxy Tab - but on two main applications Exclusive: MotoCast and SmartACT. Operation is simple and has two real mobility needs. The principle is simple MotoCast, as is that of streaming media. After installing an app on his computer (PC or Mac), telephone or shelf clock access, WiFi and 3G, the content of it (provided it stays on and connected of course), that 'This is audio, video and photo. After a short demonstration, it actually looks very simple and functional.

As for SmartACT, this is an application that allows you to define rules and actions based on the conditions for using the terminal, including taking advantage of the geolocation. For example, this allows the phone to tell it to automatically turn off WiFi when you leave the workplace and back on once at home, or the tablet to lower the brightness of the screen when the battery level drops below 20%. In short, the little rules that seem harmless, but can make life easier and improve the user experience, the goal of all players in the market today. Nothing necessarily new applications to do this already on the Market, but the integration of these features is a good thing especially since they seem to be well thought out.

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We tested Gogo: surfing at 35,000 feet

An American company offers the possibility of surfing on the Internet by plane for a few years. Formerly limited to a few flights, Gogo is now available more widely over the USA, a prelude before an inevitable global expansion?

Aircell is an American company born as many others: on a napkin in a Texas restaurant. Founded in 1991, it was originally intended to address the lack of affordable communication systems in aircraft. However, it wasn't until 2008 so that it reaches some recognition, and the launch of Gogo. This service mainly provided access to inexpensive Internet passengers to some commercial flights to the North American continent.
The first limitation is interesting, as one might imagine that a conventional aerial telecommunications system would be designed to operate around the world. In reality, the majority of existing networks, including with regard to satellite telephony, are not global. Aircell actually uses quite classic cell phone towers, with one difference: their antennae are plotted to the sky! This therefore explains the affordable side of technology, but also its limitations. Aircell currently has a little less 100 sites covering the United States, a part of the Canada and Mexico City.
It is entirely reasonable coverage for only five years old network. The company received its first permissions on the part of the FCC in 2006. GoGo was officially launched with American Airlines in 2008, on some flights between New York and San Francisco. If the majority of Delta Airlines fleet is now equipped with in-flight WiFi, availability in the aircraft of other US companies is more limited (total of a little less than 1 100 aircraft are currently equipped with). It is also the main brake for the use of the web at 35,000 feet! Aircell promises his side coverage satellite over America in the year 2013, almost completely eliminating areas of shadows of the network, the rest of the world to be covered by 2015.
The cells used by the Gogo service are based on standard EV - DO (Evolution-Data Optimized), an evolution of the CDMA standard used by some American operators. Peak flows of this technology are 3.1 Mb/s in the downhill, and 1.8 Mb/s climb. Note, however, that Aircell shall update its towers in early 2012 with the Rev. (B) of the EV - DO standard, which will allow flows very significantly higher. In the plane, is a central unit, and a couple of access points Wi-Fi, manufactured by the American company training. To connect, the user must simply have a device supporting the ubiquitous technology wireless and that have an Internet browser. This WiFi network is powerful enough to cover the aircraft, and even more since we have more than once could receive the signal from a terminal, see even in a hotel under one of the air corridors leading to the tracks of the Los Angeles Airport! We were able to test the famous service several times on flights US Airways (which offers Gogo on the Airbus A321 fleet 50) as well as on a Delta flight.

This technology impresses the most when everything works as expected, and this is the case with Gogo (this example is more stable than the service offered in the Thalys trains.) Flows are generally similar to those of a first generation ADSL line (512 K kb/s), which is enough to work. The majority of users of the service also simply exchange e-mails, or spend time on Facebook, and therefore, download a few files without too many worries. The VPN work normally without problem, and VoIP (even if it be the EV - DO Rev.) ((B) to make the video in 1080p). Small anecdote, some companies have apparently placed filters on sites for adults...


The pricing of Gogo is exhaustive. It is also not uncommon that the service is offered for one reason or another (temporary business transaction, promotional code, etc.). Aircell offers unlimited monthly package 34,95 $ and different Pass for 30 sold between $ 19.95 and 39,95 $ (a company or several, or mobile devices). The lambda user will often opt for a Pass covering his flight, or a period of 24 hours. The rates are then 4.95 $ 12.95 $ (depending on the duration of the flight and the aircraft type). GoGo is also integrated to the Boingo packages (which already cover more than 125,000 hotspots, and including hundreds of airports).
GoGo is ultimately a very convenient service, that you would like to see spread in other countries around the world! A "dream" which will be soon be reality...

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