Motorola’s XOOM Superbowl advert is already prompting arguments about whether the whole thing was all too iPod-esque, but we’d wager not as many arguments as leaked pricing details for the Android 3.0 Honeycomb slate. According to a Best Buy advert passed to Engadget – which suggests the XOOM will land in-store on February 24 – the 10.1-inch tablet will be all of $799.99 with a month-to-month data agreement.
Four data plans are offered by Verizon, ranging from 1GB per month for $20, through 3GB and 5GB for $35 and $50 respectively, and finally 10GB for $80. According to the fine print, “To activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of one month data subscription is required.”
WTF more expensive than the ipad, AND you cannot use wifi without a contract! 🙁 In short you have to have a subscription to own the device.So much for freedom.
WTF more expensive than the ipad, AND you cannot use wifi without a contract! 🙁 In short you have to have a subscription to own the device.So much for freedom.
It seems you have to have a contract for at least a month – then, since it’s a month-to-month agreement, you can cancel straight away and use WiFi-only. Unfortunately it means that, on top of the $800 for the XOOM itself, there doesn’t seem to be a way to bypass the Verizon activation fee and the first month’s data charge.
Of course, there’s a WiFi-only XOOM in the pipeline for early Q2.
Actually, the Verizon contract is a non-issue. What you should worry about is whether you will be able to update your Xoom over WiFi, or whether you can only do it over Verizon’s network (something typical for most Verizon devices). If Verizon limits your ability to upgrade through their network only, that means that you would have to re-initialize your month-to-month, and I bet you they will charge you for that, on top of the monthly charges, taxes, etc. The fact that you have to activate your WiFi through a Verizon accounts points to the fact that your device is tethered to their system (I would suspect) with their added bloatware. I think that $800 initial pricetag is just the tip of the iceberg.
WTF more expensive than the ipad, AND you cannot use wifi without a contract! 🙁 In short you have to have a subscription to own the device.So much for freedom.
far too expensive
I’m waiting for the iPad 2
I doubt you’ll be the only one to decide that. This really seems a crazy decision by Motorola/Verizon.
@motorola $800 and you must activate a data plan to use it? Why blow a wonderful Super Bowl ad with such poor launch details???? Cut the price and give a free month of data to eat iPad sales- otherwise #fail
Well, I was actually holding out for this device… I won’t even be considering it now.
Wow.. “to activate WiFi”???.. WiFi needs activation??.. Verizon can keep their shit..