The Android 3.2 update for the Verizon 3G (soon-to-be 4G) XOOM can be flashed right now, before it hits your device over-the-air.

Custom Recovery

If you've flashed a custom recovery (and gave up the warranty), you can find update instructions over at MDW - in this case, you don't need our instructions below. This option is good for those with unlocked bootloaders (though if you're rooted, it seems the only update option right now is to install a pre-rooted update which will wipe your device).

Stock Recovery - Unrooted, Locked Bootloader

However, if you decided that unlocking the bootloader is not worth voiding your warranty or simply don't feel comfortable unlocking, you can still install the update before Verizon decides to push it to you, using the stock recovery.

Instructions

Android Police disclaim all liability for any harm that may befall your device, including, but not limited to: bricked phones, voided manufacturer warranties, exploding batteries, etc.

As always, proceed at your own risk.

Prerequisites

  • Verizon XOOM (not WiFi) stock Android 3.1 HMJ37
  • a USB OTG (on-the-go) cable, also called a Motorola Camera Connection Kit - this cable allows mounting of regular USB sticks or drives on your XOOM - the stock recovery unfortunately can only use such external storage for any updates, rather than XOOM's own storage (dumb, I know)

Step 1.

Download 19dea2ba1ae5.signed-trygon-HTJ85B-from-HMJ37.19dea2ba.zip directly from Google (or our mirror if the Google one goes down) and put it on a USB stick/drive.

Step 2.

Plug the USB drive into the USB OTG cable (see prerequisites above) and then plug the cable into the XOOM's microUSB port.

Step 3.

Power the XOOM off. Now this one is a little tricky to get right - power it back on, wait for the Dual Core logo, and then tap the VolDn button briefly a few times until you see "--> Android Recovery" show up at the top left, like so:

If you accidentally cycled to the wrong option, like RSD, just keep pressing VolDn until you see "--> Android Recovery."

Now press VolUp to select it.

Note: If instead of "--> Android Recovery" you see "Starting Fastboot protocol support," that means you've held the VolDn button instead of tapping (this thing is sensitive and confused the crap out of me at first). Reboot the XOOM by holding VolUp and Power and try step 3 again. This menu is used for unlocking the XOOM, and it's not what we need right now.

Step 4.

After you select "--> Android Recovery," you should see an Android with an exclamation point, like so:

Now hold the power button and press VolUp.

Step 5.

At this point, you should be in the stock recovery screen:

Select "Apply update from USB drive," then select the update you've downloaded in step 1, then proceed with applying it.

If everything goes on as planned, you should be done at this point.

What's New In Android 3.2

For those wondering what the 3.2 update brings to the table, here you go - directly from the horse's mouth:

+  Screen Scaling Compatibility Mode:
Ability to switch to double pixel mode for selected applications.
When selected, application sub-windows and drop down menus are
also doubled. In addition, pixel doubling settings are saved for each
application.

+  SD Card Support:
New microSD card support allows you to use a file manager to view
all the important files, pictures, music, videos and more stored on
your SD card, as well as write content to your SD card via connection
to a PC or Mac.

+  Adaptive Streaming Support for Movies:
Adjusts the bit rate based on client bandwidth, providing an
improved user experience.

+ Movie Rental Improvements:
• Stability improvements to the overall experience.
•  When viewing with HDMI connection,
the screen will accurately resize.

+ New EAS policy: “Allow Password Recovery”

+ Improvements to Exchange ActiveSync and security

Let me know if something doesn't work right, and I'll be sure to fix it right up - otherwise, post your first impressions of the Verizon XOOM 3.2 update down below.