I for one would like to know why they went from regular USB storage to the MTP protocol. If you think the Mac story is bad, the outlook for linux is probably even worse and there is no tool for that on android.com. Used to work perfectly.

Just use the Awesome Drop application. It uses HTML 5, requires no registration and is entirely web-based. It really is awesome.

MTP is a big improvement over USB mass storage — for devices with lots of internal memory, a manufacturer no longer needs to come up with some hard partition between the USB mass storage and internal storage. Instead, they are all in one partition, with MTP providing access to the directory of media files that would normally be available through USB mass storage.

This means there is no longer a need for apps on SD card for such devices, because what used to be the “internal SD card” is in the same partition as where applications are stored. The storage on your device can be used for either applications or media, depending on what you want to put on it. You aren’t stuck with how much space the manufacturer decided to leave for the two areas.

@pjv I think you don’t realize that MTP is an open protocol standard. For that reason Linux already has support. I know because I’ve seen the driver packages. It’s also an improvement over USB mass storage because there’s less of a risk that the partition will be corrupted or written incorrectly by the computer whose mounted the disk. This is because the host OS is managing the file system and abstracts that away from the guest so to speak.

If the extra step bothers you that much, get an iPad. You’ll solve 2 problems.
1. Yours
2. Everyone elses.

This just reminds me that there are a ton of unanswered questions i have about the Xoom and honeycomb 3.0 in general.

1. They say Xoom is stock android, so who’s pushing updates? Is it Google Direct? is it Motorola? I’ve decided i will _not_ buy a tablet that doesn’t update direct from Google anymore. Looks at the “failed” Nexus One and how it is getting gingerbread already while newer phones are still releasing on 2.2 (Atrix?)… I’m not waiting on a carrier ever again.

2. The browser has “Chrome-like” tab enhancements … but is it effectively Chrome? Can I sync my favorites and themes like I can in Chrome? Does it support Add-ins? Or is it a crummy phone browser with a few tweaks?

3. Where is the rumored “Wifi only” version? Sorry Verizon: you can sit and spin (shows middle finger). I’m not paying $200 extra just so I have the luxury of buying an over priced data contract with you when I get 30mb down in my house.

I think the tablets are a good glimpse of a serviced based future: but I’m not taking that leap until I see enough maturity. And as much hype as I see in a 10″ screen … I think there are functionality questions not being answered that are much more important.

Mike, you’re dumb. I have a mac, but I would never buy an iPhone. Apple makes great computers, iPhones are even good, but like I said, I would never buy one.

Also, if google made an actual computer, and not a netbook thing, I am sure I would own it! :)

an added benefit would be that the sd card wouldn’t need to be scanned again every time it came out of usb storage mode.

It’s as simple as Apple doesn’t support a standard that promotes their competition. The MTS protocol is only used by competition and they want you to buy iPhones, iPods, and iPads. So welcome to the walled garden and I’m sorry that reality just checked in again for Apple fans.

I’d much prefer the USB Mass Storage Model. MTP kills convenience and familiarity on other platforms, there’s a reason that this doesn’t work on Linux out of the box.

Could we (the users) at least get a choice as to what model to use?

Hello!

@Serge: And what about when the SD-Card-Slot is enabled by the coming software update?
Is the SD-Card also accessed via MTP or as MASS STORAGE like in Android 2.x? (The problem with only one partition is not applicable here, right?)

Thanks,

Ciao,

Steve

I am very upset about no USB storage support. I don’t care about the advantages of the semi-proprietary “MTP” method. I bought a Xoom without knowing this and now I think I will return it.