CONCLUSION
The Xoom 2/Dijit combination is a less than perfect remote control option for hi-fi use. The fact that a tablet has an IR option with a free controller App at all, though, is cause for celebration. Such systems can only get better and may, in time, spell the end for specialist hi-fi remote controls.
    For now, if you are in the market for a new tablet, you might want to consider the Xoom 2 as a rather quirky universal remote that is  a work in progress. If you or a friend has an Android tablet or phone, why not download the free Dijit App and see if your hi-fi gear is on the support list?
    Much the same can be said about it as a music player. It provides decent sonic results, but its digital processing is currently too crude to provide real high fidelity. Since a lot of modern digital product gives measured results worse than CD due to crude digital processing schemes, the Xoom 2 is far from alone here. This is a pity because potentially it is a great way to enjoy music as well as a useful remote control at the same time.  At the price though, the Xoom 2 Media Edition in particular is an unusually flexible and attractive music player. The larger screened HD tablet PC costing around £380 is poorer value as a music player, but arguably better as a mini-computer when paired with an external keyboard, if you get along with Android.

VERDICT
A usable, hi-fi specific universal remote control and flexible music player, the Motorola Xoom 2 is well worth checking out.


FOR
- IR facility
- app flexibility
- app hardware support
- performance

AGAINST
- no .aiff import
- no hi res audio support
- distortion

MOTOROLA XOOM 2     
16B     £380
32GB     £425

  +44 (0)870 901 0555

www.motorola.com/mobility


SPECIFICATIONS
Featuring significant differences between the Xoom 2 and Xoom Media Edition

MOTOROLA XOOM 2
MUSIC: Supported formats: H.264, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3, WMV, H.263, OGG, MIDI, AMR NB, eAAC+, AAC+.
SCREEN SIZE: 10.1inch
BATTERY TYPE: 7000 mAh Li Ion
MP3 PLAYBACK: up to approx. 6 days
VIDEO CAPTURE: 1080p video capture
MEMORY: 16GB and 32GB storage options

MOTOROLA XOOM 2 MEDIA EDITION
MUSIC: Supported formats: H.264, AAC, MPEG-4, MP3, WMV, H.263, OGG, MIDI, AMR NB, eAAC+, AAC+.
SCREEN SIZE: 8.2inch
BATTERY TYPE: 3900 mAh Li Ion
MP3 PLAYBACK: up to approx. 3 days
VIDEO CAPTURE: 720p video capture front camera, 1080p rear camera
MEMORY: 16GB storage option