Discussion of the device seems useless since we don't really know much about it. Even the booth dude said it isn't ready for primetime yet. So it seems pointless to speculate one way or the other on the quality of this device without solid information about it's weight, screen, body, speed, etc. Discussion of Honeycomb seems more appropriate since that's what is really on display here. Motorola is just getting some free press by getting to play the videos on their devices, getting to Xoom name out there.
What I've seen of Honeycomb looks nice, but not really mind blowing. Some peoples' ecstasy over the OS at places like Engadget is perplexing. I think the homescreen widgets could be cool. But I appreciate that this is something which is difficult to implement well - especially on a larger screen like this. I trust Apple will give us something similar in the future, but we'll see.
Other than that, I don't see what's so great. It really looks like it functions more or less the same as an iPad. Which is to say it ultimately comes down to apps and how well they perform. Books, maps, and videos are kind of the pre-reqs. I saw one post from someone bitching about the iPad's YouTube application and praising what was shown in this video. I was amused to see it looks identical to the iPad version. Visually, I'm not too fond of the direction they've taken here. I like some of the design elements, but it seems kind of scattershot. I've always appreciated the consistency of iOS when it comes to the way interface items look.
One way Google and these device manufacturers could have differentiated themselves from the iPad was with stylus support and a real digitizer. I'm definitely interested in this functionality, but it is so far only offered on devices running desktop operating systems. A hybrid multitouch/pen display on an iPad-like device would be really outstanding.
As it stands, the whole affair looks like a me-too rehash of last years iPad. Too which many people now cuming with excitement over Honeycomb responded with disgust and mockery over Apple's decision to use a mobile OS. These devices really highlight the extent to which Apple is leading the consumer electronics market. Everyone else is really following in their footsteps.
