Motorola Xoom confirmed for Thursday release, no Flash support at launch

February 21, 2011 By Adam Rosenberg

A Verizon Wireless product page for the Motorola Xoom confirms the release of the GSM/CDMA radio-equipped model this Thursday, with the added note that Adobe Flash support is coming Spring 2011.

A Best Buy pre-order page for the Motorola Xoom tablet popped up over the weekend, confirming CEO Sanjay Jha’s previously announced $799 price point and pegging the release date for this Thursday, February 24. The release date was confirmed by a similar Verizon Wireless product page, along with an added note nestled deep in the fine print: there will be no support for Adobe Flash at launch.

This is the first we’re hearing of the launch feature omission, so it’s okay to be surprised. The confirmation is very difficult to see unless you’re looking for it. The infographic posted on the Verizon website lists the devices key features in bullet points, with one reading “1 GHz dual-core processor and fully Flash-enabled* for video-rich web.” Take careful note of that asterisk. In exceedingly tiny print at the bottom of the image, a footnote read: “Adobe Flash expected Spring 2011.” The delay can probably be pegged to the coming of Adobe Flash version 10.2, which will add mobile support to the web-based content platform.

The $799 Xoom comes equipped with a GSM/CDMA radio and an attached string stating that all buyers must purchase a minimum one month data plan activation on the Verizon network. In his price confirmation at last week’s Mobile World Congress Jha also confirmed the coming of a $600 Wi-Fi-only Xoom. There’s no mention of the cheaper version on Best Buy’s pre-order page and no confirmation of its technical specifications from anyone, meaning that those hoping to pick up a Xoom this Thursday had best be planning on making use of a Verizon data plan.

Showing 8 comments

Tristan Thomas at 10:58pm 21st February 2011 I never liked it much when a device gets released ahead of it's time because it cause some features to be missing. Many of us can go without flash the same way Apple mobile users have, but it sends a growing negative message. Anyways, there is always someone to blame and reasonings behind everything with these companies. You can find some opinion based ideas on who is wrong and why there will be no flash at launch at: http://goo.gl/kcCxP
Giovanni at 5:29pm 21st February 2011 Ummm...How is this possible? It's a joke, right?
Douglas Hale Mcc Cis at 3:22pm 21st February 2011 Let me get this straight... No Wi-Fi and No Flash support.... and they want how much money?? What were Google and Motorola thinking?? Guess I will put my money away, I was wanting to buy this until I read the asterisk. I will reward an innovative and more useful product. which I am sure will be available cheaper by Spring.
1. Robert Burnham at 6:04pm 21st February 2011 It has WiFi.
  1. ioman at 8:17pm 21st February 2011 Yup, they just are not offering a Wi-Fi only version.
Batman at 1:48pm 21st February 2011 Motorola doesn't want to scare the customers when the battery life gets zapped by Flash. I wouldn't buy this crap when I am not sure how it would perform when Flash is loaded. Google has been a strong believer of Flash and yet they cannot perfect Android OS to run with Flash.
Robert Burnham at 9:24am 21st February 2011 Will it be possible to buy the Verizon version without a data plan? I know I want the tablet, but at the moment I do not need the mobile internet feature. Based on the Verizon website and how the older Samsung Galaxy works, I fear the answer is most likely no.
1. ioman at 9:54am 21st February 2011 Nope, you need to get a Data plan is my understanding. There is no Wi-Fi only version. And now no Flash support. What a waste of money.