Motorola Xoom: $800, will launch Feb. 24

February 7, 2011 By Andrew Couts

A Best Buy ad gives us new details about the Motorola Xoom tablet, and they're not all good.

Rumors surrounding the launch date of the Motorola Xoom have been all over the place. But now, a new Best Buy advertisement seems to have given us some concrete details: The tablet will launch on Thursday, February 24, for the price of $799.99, Engadget reports.

The news confirms our earlier report that the Xoom would run around $800. But the pesky launch date seems to change every time new information comes out about the Motorola tablet. (So, don’t be surprised if the date changes again before the tablet actually hits stores.)

Regardless of the exact release date, it is safe to say that the Xoom’s launch is getting closer.

Those who watched the Super Bowl last night were treated to a new Xoom ad, which payed homage to Apple’s famous “1984″ ad. (In fact, the Motorola spot takes direct aim at Apple by featuring a hoard of automatons dressed in all-white hoodies, with little ear buds sticking out of their ears.)

Watch the ad:

Following the ad’s release, a new promotion site for the Xoom landed online.

From what we know so far, the Xoom is the first device that can stand up to the iPad’s dominance in the tablet arena. So Motorola’s provocation of Apple in its ad is, it seems, completely warranted. (How that plays out in terms of actual numbers sold of course remains to be seen.)

The Xoom runs on the new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, comes loaded with 32 GB of internal storage and two cameras (a 2 MP front-facing one and a 5 MP rear-facing one), and sports a 10.1-inch, 1280×800 touchscreen — slightly larger than the iPad.

Available exclusively on Verizon, the Xoom is also 3G-compatible, with a 4G upgrade expected later this year.

The monthly 3G plans range from 1 GB for $20 up to 10 GB for $80, which is convenient for those who don’t often use the wireless service. But according to the Best Buy ad, users won’t even be able to connect the device to Wi-Fi without at least a 1 month data subscription. So, if you were wondering, that’s where they get you.

Showing 13 comments

Tonio Johnson at 1:30am 30th September 2011 Well the sales people's job is to sell you as much as they can nelson, its basically how they get most of their money depending on the company. They will dress it up as you need it, etc, etc. I would just stick with a laptop and my home wi-fi network, initial cost still works in my favor even now. I wonder how many people sent their Xoom's in for that 4G upgrade surgery.
tcnelson at 1:07pm 18th February 2011 If you have free wifi at home or anywhere you are, the device is free over the initial purchase price. I hate stupid people who don't understand what they are complaining about- let them pay for service they don't need because someone recommended they need it lol
Dude at 3:50pm 7th February 2011 I don't get the big deal with having to get one month of data. If you can shell out 800 bucks for the thing 20 extra bucks ain't gonna kill you. It's not a contract so it's not like you will have to keep paying monthly.
Scott Aron Bloom at 8:18pm 7th February 2011 I could see a 800 non-plan.. but plus a plan.. that makes it an 1500 dollar item.. considering most plans get you a 50% discount!
bert2e at 11:47am 7th February 2011 Agree. The only way I'd be up for a plan is if they did $200/300/400 down, $20/50/80 for 2 years type contract. I see nothing but "you take what we give you!" in this pricing scheme.
Tonio Johnson at 7:46pm 7th February 2011 Pocket breaker, both he price and tab. I wouldn't get one. The data plan apparently is only required for one month then you can go wi fi only but loose always on data connectivity. I'm happy with my nook color that has honeycomb already working on it.
Klinok at 10:33am 7th February 2011 The Xoom tries to copycat iPad, and yet Motorola is so arrogant as to try and down the people who like and use excellent Apple product. Shame on you, Motorola, your marketing department heads are idiots. By downgrading success of others it only shows how insecure and envious you are. The truly innovative and talented people are humble, the dumb pricks are boastful and arrogant. I predict, your product will fail against iPad, again and again.
Vincent Abate at 7:16am 7th February 2011 Why do the need to get us!??!? Its an $800 dollar product, isn't that enough? I WAS going to get one. But until I can, without being forced into some other purchase or contract, they can go f*ck themselves. These thins are not necessities, they are luxuries. I don't need it that bad. Thanks for making the decision easy for me. P.S. Want to really put some teeth in your competition against the iPad? Try selling it without a required monthly, and turning people like me away from your product! - wouldbe consumer
1. ryan at 8:24am 7th February 2011 Agree completely.
2. arilady at 6:28pm 7th February 2011 not sure I follow you here... ipad with same specs (memory/3g) goes for over $800, yet it is clear to every objective entity that the Xoom Honeycomb dual core dual camera/video is a much better product... why should MOT sell the device for less than an inferior product... I really would like to know.. that is not to say the ipad2 won't kick the Xoom butt in several months... you wouldn't be one of those Apple clones?? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/iPad/iPad/pcmcat20880...
crowbb at 7:11am 7th February 2011 First the Atrix with dock comes out priced well above expectations, now the Xoom is going to be $800? Not looking like a good year for Motorola. At these prices I don't see them denting the iEmpire.
1. arilady at 6:22pm 7th February 2011 $199 for the first dual core phone that will replace you need for a laptop/desktop is price above expectations???? you guys are just 'haters'...
  1. crowbb at 6:38am 10th February 2011 If you truly want it to replace a computer, try $499 with the dock plus you have to pay monthly for tethering....which kind of defeats the point of the dock in the first place and will rapidly get you to then overtake the price range of a good laptop. No thanks.