Xoom $799?

[Glitchny]

Why can't Moto just take a loss and sell at $500? Didn't Microsoft lose money from xboxes?

That or fight an even more entrenched Apple against the iPad 3 next year......

Moto probably can't afford to sell them at a loss. MS had the benefit of many other divisions that were making money so it could afford to lose money on each xbox for the sake of market share. Moto has smaller profit margins and they don't make the money back from game licensing like MS did on the xbox.

If Google was selling the tablets then I could see them taking a loss on each on just to get Android out there so they could make money on Android. Since Moto doesn't control the software they can't monetize it very well.

Samsung seems to be taking the smart approach by creating their own "Media Hub" software that is supposed to link across all Samsung devices that they can monetize. This might allow them to drop hardware prices in hopes of making $ on the software/media side.

 

[finbarqs]

At least that is cheaper than the Eee pad!!!! This is ASUS's first "anti-Eee" I've seen! it's actually really expensive!

 

[Pliablemoose]

Yep, Moto is not in great shape, it really needed the tablet to sell well, And AT&T is messing around with it's "4G" making customers pretty unhappy, slowing down potential Atrix sales...

 

[CurseTheSky]

Is it possible to buy the 3G version and drop the data plan (using wifi only), or are you required to have a data plan?

My boss just bought a Xoom, and it's pretty nifty. I'd consider one, but I'd probably use it on wifi 90% of the time. I still want to be able to roam around with it if the need arises though, so I don't want to get the wifi only version.

If I can't drop the data plan at my leisure, forget it.

 

[bucwylde23]

Is it possible to buy the 3G version and drop the data plan (using wifi only), or are you required to have a data plan?

My boss just bought a Xoom, and it's pretty nifty. I'd consider one, but I'd probably use it on wifi 90% of the time. I still want to be able to roam around with it if the need arises though, so I don't want to get the wifi only version.

If I can't drop the data plan at my leisure, forget it.

You can cancel the data plan whenever you want. You don't even need one to start.
I am on my one month but plan to cancel until I need to use it.

 

[MrX8503]

So I just used the XOOM at the mall the other day and I was pretty disappointed.

It was on display next to the iPad1 and it was sad to see that the XOOM is barely better than the first gen iPad. Browsing on the XOOM was laggy and unresponsive. It also froze on me a few times, not good.

Lastly although the screen res is higher, the quality of the display is piss poor. I'm not sure what kind of LCD Moto put in that thing, but its like a really bad TN panel.

The swiping effect of Honeycomb did look really nice, unfortunately that was also laggy.

I would say the most positive aspect of the XOOM is the construction, it feels like its made out of some kind of magnesium alloy, which feels awesome in the hand.

 

[bucwylde23]

So I just used the XOOM at the mall the other day and I was pretty disappointed.

It was on display next to the iPad1 and it was sad to see that the XOOM is barely better than the first gen iPad. Browsing on the XOOM was laggy and unresponsive. It also froze on me a few times, not good.

Lastly although the screen res is higher, the quality of the display is piss poor. I'm not sure what kind of LCD Moto put in that thing, but its like a really bad TN panel.

The swiping effect of Honeycomb did look really nice, unfortunately that was also laggy.

I would say the most positive aspect of the XOOM is the construction, it feels like its made out of some kind of magnesium alloy, which feels awesome in the hand.

In response to the browsing, I've had mine since wednesday and it isn't laggy at all and hasn't froze once. I was worried since the best buy xoom was lagging as you mentioned.

The screen could be better but its not THAT bad.

Not sure why the demo units are so laggy but I haven't seen much lag or force closes at all.

 

[Tristicus]

The screen gets an absolutely absurd amount of fingerprints at our store, and not as many people touch it as the iPad which is odd and throws me off a bit.


BTW: https://www.costco.com/Simple/Basket.aspx?mode=bc&topnav=&lang=en-US , $10 off pre-order for Costco members if anybody is a member and was ordering one anyways. You'd figure Moto might give some accessories or something.

One other thing I don't remember seeing is commercials for the Xoom. Then again I don't watch much TV.

 

[MrX8503]

TN LCD Panel Garbage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebRcpoVmar4&feature=feedu

 

[CurseTheSky]

You can cancel the data plan whenever you want. You don't even need one to start.
I am on my one month but plan to cancel until I need to use it.

Good to hear.

Now, is there (or are there any plans for) a physical keyboard for the Xoom? If there's a thin and light keyboard attachment for it, I might just make it my day to day "laptop" device. Perhaps even drop my smartphone.

 

[bucwylde23]

Good to hear.

Now, is there (or are there any plans for) a physical keyboard for the Xoom? If there's a thin and light keyboard attachment for it, I might just make it my day to day "laptop" device. Perhaps even drop my smartphone.

Yeah there is a bluetooth keyboard you can use with the Xoom.

http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...-Accessories/Motorola-Wireless-Keyboard-US-EN

 

[Pliablemoose]

I spent about 15 min using a XOOM at a Verizon store today, really didn't like trying to use the keyboard in landscape mode, I'm pretty flexible, but I gave up trying to use it, and flipped it up to type.

I also didn't like the way it felt, the edges of the case are raised, and the edges are sharp, volume buttons sucked, and the on button on the back was pretty lame. My favorite apps (even the ones modded by the developers specifically for the tablet) felt awkward, and the layout was poor. The software is easy to fix and scale for the form factor, but it's definitely not there yet.

There was an iPad display with gen 1 and gen 2 iPads, people were lining p to use them, I was the only person in the store that paid any attention to the XOOM.

 

[bucwylde23]

I spent about 15 min using a XOOM at a Verizon store today, really didn't like trying to use the kwyboard in landscape mode, I'm pretty flexible, but I gave up trying to use it, and flipped it up to type.

I also didn't like the way it felt, the edges of the case are raised, and the edges are sharp, volume buttons sucked, and the on button on the back was pretty lame. My favorite apps (even the ones modded by the developers specifically for the tablet felt awkward, and the layout was poor. The software is easy to fix and scale for the form factor, but it's definitely not there yet.

There was an iPad display with gen 1 and gen 2 iPads, people were lining p to use them, I was the only person in the store that paid any attention to the XOOM.

I agree on the volume buttons, power button and speaker.

I really like my xoom but I'm returning it today due to what I found out about Verizon. If you cancel the data plan then try to turn it on again they charge you another activation fee. Now i'm sure they could change this in the future but I'm just going to pick up a wifi only model instead and save some cash (can tether my phone anyways).

 

[you2]

I played with this again @ best buy. I really wanted to like the device as I rather get an andriod device. But sadly it was sitting next to an ipad 2; and quite frankly 'cept for ios vs andriod the ipad 2 blew it away across the board. Better form factor; better screen; even though they are nearly the same weight; the ipad 2 feels so much lighter.
-
I'll probably wait another month or so and see with LG and Samsung devices look like but I have to say even with my hate for IOS and lack of sd slot the ipad 2 is very tempting.
-
Wow samsung just announced their updated form factor for the 8.9 and 10.1 tabs (engadget.com). Hum.. might be worht the wait to check them out.

 

[Cruisin1]

So... I wonder what FUCLA has to say about the Samsung tablet vs. the ipad now that is priced lower than the ipad2

 

[bucwylde23]

Well I decided to return my Xoom today. The main reason is the location of the speaker/power button.
I found that typically I liked to lay the tablet down beside me on the couch or in my lap while using it, and since the speaker is on the back it always muffles the sound significantly. Same thing goes for the power button.
If i'm going to spend $800+ then the device better be perfect. It's a shame because otherwise I really liked the Xoom despite the limited apps at this point.

After seeing the new samsung tablets today I may go that route after seeing some reviews.

 

[Pliablemoose]

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/NewsSearch.asp?DocID=PD000000000000000000000000019117&query=XOOM

Moto looks to be abandoning the current model by June?

Yikes...

 

[MrBond]

Motorola has responded to that story (I saw it at either Droid Life or BGR this morning) saying it is false.

 

[runawayprisoner]

The correct statement is it is "not accurate", not that it is "false".

That means the numbers quoted in the article for orders could still be wrong. But that doesn't mean the general notion that Motorola will stop XOOM production at some time in Q3 2011 is not correct. "Not accurate" and "incorrect" are two different things.

Ah well, I hope that's not indication for the future of Honeycomb tablets this year.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I was at a Costco in Santa Monica this evening and used a ZOOM again, the guy in the Verizon booth said they sell maybe 2 a week.

I set the homepage on the browser to Apple's website

 

[DivideBYZero]

I was at a Costco in Santa Monica this evening and used a ZOOM again, the guy in the Verizon booth said they sell maybe 2 a week.

I set the homepage on the browser to Apple's website

OMG ur so 1337!

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I was at a Costco in Santa Monica this evening and used a ZOOM again, the guy in the Verizon booth said they sell maybe 2 a week.

I set the homepage on the browser to Apple's website

And the last time I had to go into an Apple store to get my sisters iPod fixed, I set the homepage on an iPad to the Adobe flash home page. OH SNAP. They've been TOLD.

 

[Pliablemoose]

And the last time I had to go into an Apple store to get my sisters iPod fixed, I set the homepage on an iPad to the Adobe flash home page. OH SNAP. They've been TOLD.

I know you're busy, but you really need to pay attention to the memos

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2...tm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5o2xmJXrAY

LULZ, I bet I get to repost that for another year

 

[zoiks]

I was going to get the Xoom. Maybe I'll save my money and get a Transformer instead. Since the tablet is likely to be unlocked/rooted to oblivion, the support from XDA for the device will be endless.

 

[cheezy321]

TN LCD Panel Garbage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebRcpoVmar4&feature=feedu

Wow thats turrible. There is a stark difference in screen quality.