We’ve been seeing them in one form or another for months now, but today Motorola has officially unveiled the Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition tablets.

In most ways, the two tablets are nearly identical: they both sport 1.2GHz dual-core processors, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 5-megapixel rear shooter, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facer. As expected, both run Android 3.2 (sorry Ice Cream Sandwich fans), and they both pack the same complement of Google apps out of the box.

There are, of course, a few differences. The full-sized Xoom 2 sports a 10.1-inch HD display with Gorilla Glass, while the smaller Media Edition makes do with a 8.2-inch display. Thanks in part to a bigger battery, the Big Xoom 2 (as I’ve taken to calling it) is expected to run for around 10 hours after a full charge — the Media Edition is only good for about 6.

For what it’s worth, the full-sized Xoom 2 also features a “splash-guard” for the particularly clumsy among you. Meanwhile, Motorola makes no mention of the oft-rumored IR blaster that was supposed part of the Media Edition, although the smaller tab does make use of the MotoCAST remote media streaming service.

Tablet fans in the U.K. and Ireland will be able to pick up a Xoom 2 of their choice in “mid-November.” Mototola hasn’t hinted at pricing structure yet, but a recent Carphone Warehouse ad pegs the at Media Edition as starting at €399.90 (roughly $522). Now the question we’re left pondering is when we’ll see these things on our side of the pond.