The Motorola XOOM is a pretty unique device compared to most other Moto products in that it's easily unlocked to allow developers to tinker around with it. However, there was a nasty rumor floating around this week claiming that, if you unlocked and/or rooted your XOOM, it'd be ineligible for a 4G upgrade. Luckily, Moto has stepped in and dispelled those rumors, saying that all XOOMs can be upgraded to support LTE. The catch, though, is that when you send your tablet in to Moto to be upgraded, it needs to be running the original software and should be relocked. If a XOOM is sent in without being relocked, Moto may simply just install the 4G modem and ship the device back without upgrading the software. The full statement from Motorola's support forums:
"All Motorola XOOM tablets on the Verizon Wireless network are eligible to receive an upgrade to support 4G LTE. This includes those that have been unlocked; however, those units must be submitted for upgrade with the original factory software reinstalled and the device relocked in order to receive the upgrade.
For devices that are returned unlocked, Motorola will attempt to complete the upgrade, but may be unable to update the software. In these cases, the device will be returned to the consumer with just the 4G LTE modem installed."
Considering that Motorola allowed for the XOOM to be unlocked for easier development, the claim that they wouldn't upgrade unlocked devices didn't really make much sense. Some XOOM owners may be disappointed that they've got to restore the original software/relock their tablet, but it'll make the process smoother for Moto. Besides, isn't getting access to LTE worth the trouble?
Via Android Central, Motorola
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