Xoom App Store

Android apps of all kinds will work on the Xoom but only Honeycomb OS apps are genuinely fully configured to get the most from the Xoom. So why are they so hard to find?

Finding apps for the Xoom should be a lot easier than it is. When the iPad launched it only had about a dozen dedicated apps but there were many thousands of third party apps that took full advantage of the tablet format. There was also Apple's App Store which was well organised with iPad-ready apps easy to identify.

On launch day, the Xoom had about 15 dedicated Honeycomb apps, The third party app developers had only received the final SKD (software development kit) about a month before the Xoom's launch date so it is not surprising that there are still very few Honeycomb apps around in April 2011, as I write. Equally frustrating, the source code for Honeycomb is still not ready for official release.

Where to Find Honeycomb Apps

Another problem facing Xoom users is how to locate the Honeycomb apps that actually are ready. The Android Market Place is the first place to look but, to date, there is no special place to go and find Honeycomb apps. You have to hunt for them amongst the hundreds of thousands of other Android apps.

The Amazon App Store is a good place to browse but again there is no special section for Honeycomb apps. What Amazon does offer, though, is better feedback from users. Often they will tell you what apps work well on tablet PC's. Many will be Xoom users and will confirm a particular apps compatibility.

Amazon buyers also tend to give plenty of detail on their experiences which tends to be lacking in feedback on the Android Market place.

A Tip for Searching the Android Market

The following search should bring up most of the Honeycomb apps on the Android Market (as well a few results that just mention 'honeycomb').

honeycomb site:market.android.com

It is the best way I could find to use the site for the Xoom. If you know a better way, let me know in the comments below.

How to get the Amazon Android App Store on your Xoom

Amazon didn't set out to make this obvious to potential users but it is pretty easy once you know how. You start by heading over to the Amazon Android Apps page on your PC, phone or Xoom browser, and find an app you want.

Choose one- it doesn't matter which, though a free one is a good choice first off. Head to the green box on the left that says 'get this app'. You enter your phone number or email address and a text message or email is sent out to you with the code you will need to get the app.

At the same time that you sumbit your phone number or email, a popup gives you instructions on how to get the Amazon Android App Store on your Phone or Tablet.

One warning- once you have the Appstore app and set out to buy something be sure you really do want to buy. Once you touch the 'install' button it downloads immediately and takes a payment. You only get 24 hours to 'return' the app if you were too hasty in your choice.

There is an option to set your Amazon Store app downloads away from the 'one click' default which might be worth it for trigger happy shoppers.