Make Holo style tabs in xml without NinePatches

Just create a drawable using an InsetDrawable

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<inset xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:insetBottom="0dp"
android:insetLeft="-5dp"
android:insetRight="-5dp"
android:insetTop="-5dp" >

<shape>
    <solid android:color="#FFF" />

<stroke
    android:width="3dp"
    android:color="#00F" />
</shape>
</inset>