The Opera browser rocks on the original Galaxy Tab, take a look at how it does on the Honeycomb toting Xoom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4xXl7gPRf4

compare with the stock browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8sR4..._order&list=UL

It seems that Opera Mobile still has some work to do yet, to compare with the stock experience.

Here's a great vid of PDF viewing on the Xoom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR0Yp..._order&list=UL

The large screen really makes it quite an incredible experience!

I really like the Adobe reader 'side swipe' to change pages..

This is a very interesting question, and I think one that will either be positive or negative for RIM and/or Google.

On the one hand, I can see this increasing the value of the playbook to certain consumers, and gives RIM a huge repository of applications to launch with. This will likely be a selling point for some individuals that know what Android is, or are seeking it out.

Of course, it introduces problems. RIM is almost locked into supporting Android apps from here forward, as if customers expect this functionality and tie it to the Playbook brand, it may hurt the brand if they remove it.

It also reduces the differentiation between the Playbook and other Android tablets. This may actually be a good thing in the short term, as RIM would have a steep uphill trek to carve a niche out in this hugely competitive space.

The bad thing is, that developers knowing that they can target all Android tablets and the Playbook with a single APK would probably be reluctant to program one specifically for the Playbook. If I were an app developer, I wouldn't. What would be the point?

I see this as being great for the Android eco-system, but bad for RIMs efforts as the playbook becomes more-or-less another Android tablet. Unless they have a strategy to get developers to develop apps specifically for their OS (some cool functionality not available on Android), they may have made things far simpler on themselves by implementing their own port of the Android OS.

I don't have sufficient inside info to claim to know what's going on, or what should happen, but it strikes me that it would have been good for RIM to create a HIGHLY customized version of Android, with a bunch of RIM specific APIs, rather than a whole new OS with key Android components embedded.

The PC makers are invading! Welcome the Acer Iconia Android tablet fray:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrHrKSipZjk

Here's what I expect we should, uh, expect:
- Lower costs for entry-level tablets
- Higher quality entry-level tablets (should give Archos a run for its money)
- Quicker device iteration (multiple times per year)
- More hackable devices (less locked down)
- New innovations like pen input as well as other gimmicks
- Really bad screens (if it's anything like the laptop space)

The last benefit that I expect is more portable Android solutions. I honestly see the problem of waiting on hardware manufacturers to update the OS, disappear as they adapt to contend with this coming wave of light-speed iteration.

Here's a good writeup on Ars about the Amazon Android Appstore:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/revie...-in-places.ars

The bottom line, it shows a lot of promises. Here's a quick rundown:

Pros:
+ Integrates with Amazon Account -- very common
+ Seamless purchase experience
+ Functional search feature
+ Good app recommendations
+ Free apps (Angry Birds Rio/Doodle Jump)

Contra:
- missing notification-bar progress for app install
- doesn't know of what's already installed on your system from Google's App Market
- requires app install to use, not pre-loaded -- may be difficult for casual users

All in all, it shows great promise. Amazon has a bit of an uphill battle ahead of it to get new customers, but they are aggressive and have points of entry. Considering their large book repository, movies, and music, Amazon may be considered a one-stop-shop for all of your digital content. Potent.

The 'closed Honeycomb' story is making the rounds:
http://www.dailytech.com/Google+Refu...ticle21222.htm
http://arstechnica.com/open-source/n...ycomb-code.ars

Along with Engadget, these are major internet publications to carry this forboding story.

Capt'n, have you seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALKm0Leuc7c

iPad2 w/ HDMI plug outputs full 1080p 3D racing to the big screen, the iPad itself shows the map and other info.. becomes steering wheel.



It's gonna be an interesting year for gaming...

Amazon App Store:

I'll be honest, I've perused it a little bit. I do have a couple of thoughts:

1) Unless there is significant price difference between apps in Amazon or Google, I'd probably buy it from Google (no need to check in with a potentially defunct Amazon store when re-installing). And at the cost of most apps, I don't think I'll see a significant cost difference.

2) I've found myself checking daily for the free app, then *purchasing* it. Why? Why not? I don't have to install it right away. I can try it, if I don't like it, uninstall it. If I do like it, it was free .

Oh, this is quite awesome! I've seen Real Racing 2, but it's ultra-cool that modern SoC GPUs can push 1080p without breaking a sweat! Just a few years ago, this would have been tough to do with a power-hungry desktop GPU.

And notice the shaders? The effects are subtle, but that's HDR lighting on the cars for a very realistic look across the whole scene! It can be taken farther with post Depth of Field effects, and different materials (eg. water on the track), chrome (w/ lighting hot-spots), or even lens flares wherever the lighting gets hot enough.

With a little more creativity and more refined creative direction, these graphics will go to 11 -- this generation! Just you wait. You'll see some incredibly amazing effects.

Make no mistakes, mobile gaming is going to continue to put serious pressure on traditional gaming consoles.

As an aside, I predict that wireless HDMI (or some form of wireless video) will be on-board for next year's tablets.

Interesting. It's only a matter of time before the App Store is installed as default on different devices. This may be yet another point of differentiation. eg. An Amazon Android tablet vs. a Google one!

What's most interesting about your testimony is that you continue check back from time to time! This is pretty significant as it implies that the store is compelling enough to have you go out of your way to check in.

I forsee Amazon being an incredibly formidable Market competitor. In fact, I see the Amazon Android Appstore surpassing the Google Market.