Forget the previously rumored launch date and price for Motorolaa4ぎa4г Xoom Android tablet, it now looks to be headed to Best Buy stores on February 24 for a hefty $799.99, Engadget reports.
Since the news comes from a Best Buy sales flyer, ita4ぎa4г more believable than any other rumors wea4ぎa4ёe seen before. Ita4ぎa4г also disappointing, since the $800 price tag makes the Xoom horribly uncompetitive against the iPad or other Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
The Xoom was one of our favorite gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show last month, but therea4ぎa4г little chance that it will be able to take off now given the ludicrously high pricing. Additionally, Verizon is apparently forcing customers to buy data contracts when they pick up the tablet, which makes it even more expensive for those willing to pay $800.
Part of the Xooma4ぎa4г pricing problem stems from the fact that Motorola is only offering it with 32 gigabytes of storage and 3G capabilities (upgradable to 4G eventually). In comparison, Applea4ぎa4г 32GB iPad with 3G costs $729 (without any contract required). The Xoom is technically more capable than the iPad &8212' it sports cameras for taking photos and video conferencing, as well as a higher resolution screen &8212' but most consumers will only see it as something more expensive.
The Xoom will run Android 3.0, which means it will offer a spiffy new tablet interface and can also play some powerful 3D games.
Motorola would have been better off offering a WiFi-only unit with less storage, in addition to the flagship 32GB model, to achieve a lower price tag. Now I think most consumers will only be left with sticker shock.
Earlier today during the Super Bowl, Motorola also unveiled its first major Xoom commercial, which takes some obvious swipes at Apple:
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Companies: Best Buy, motorola, Verizon
Companies: Best Buy, motorola, Verizon
Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's lead mobile writer and East Coast correspondent. He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.
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