Motorola is Seriously Screwing Up The Xoom

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/#!5766073/motorola-xoom-tablet-wont-have-flash-at-launch' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/#!5766073/motoro...flash-at-launch</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Some disappointing news for those awaiting the arrival of Motorola's tablet: its new page on Verizon's site suggests it won't have Flash at launch. A bit of tiny text on the product page says "Adobe Flash expected Spring 2011," presumably meaning that Moto's waiting for Adobe to roll out the mobile-optimized Flash 10.2 before supporting it."</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/adt/auto/1298513253.usr7.jpg" /></p><p>OK, so let me get this straight. The Xoom is going to cost a bunch of money ($800, <a href="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Motorolas-Xoom-Tablets-800-Cost-10-Reasons-Its-Overpriced-420699/" target="_blank">it isn't worth it</a>), it's WiFi is going to be locked down until you pony up the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/06/verizon-locking-wifi-on-motorola-xoom-until-you-buy-one-month-of/" target="_blank">activation money</a>, and now we learn that one of the geekly talking points of Android, Flash, it doesn't have. Motorola, take a hint, you really don't do upscale consumer devices well anymore. Stick to feature phones.</p>

[ggore]

Evidently I could not buy this crippled device even if I wanted to, based on what this article says. It is a Verizon 3G device. Verizon 3G is only available in 25% of Oklahoma where I live. Verizon doesn't even SELL in my part of the state. We have service from every other major cellphone carrier except Verizon. Therefore, if this thing must be activated on their 3G network before one can use the Wifi functionality, I could not even buy this and use it at home on my Wifi network. What a crock! With all the other problems it has right out of the box, it is going to be a HUGE failure.

[Kevin Jackson]

My thoughts exactly. I was shocked when I first heard about the lack of flash. The required month of Verizon service in order to unlock the WiFi, while baffling, did not surprise me as much since I have never been too impressed with Verizon and their add-on fees for everything under the sun.

I do believe that, for all the hype, the Xoom will be D.O.A., which is unfortunate since it really seemed to have a shot at upsetting the iPad hegemony, if only just a little bit.

[Craig Horlacher]

I don't understand why everyone says the Xoom is so overpriced. The cheapest iPad 3G only has 16GB of storage that's not upgradable and it's $629. The Xoom, which has a better OS (much better notification system, real multi-tasking, widgets - should be even more important for a tablet), faster dual-core CPU/GPU, twice the storage, four times the RAM, has a higher resolution screen, cameras, and more and is only $599 on contract. If you're getting a 3G model you probably want the service. Which is the better deal? How is the iPad price even close to fair but the Xoom price high?

Ok, the iPad has more apps but that's the only plus I can think of for it.

[Jon Westfall]

I don't understand why everyone says the Xoom is so overpriced. The cheapest iPad 3G only has 16GB of storage that's not upgradable and it's $629. The Xoom, which has a better OS (much better notification system, real multi-tasking, widgets - should be even more important for a tablet), faster dual-core CPU/GPU, twice the storage, four times the RAM, has a higher resolution screen, cameras, and more and is only $599 on contract. If you're getting a 3G model you probably want the service. Which is the better deal? How is the iPad price even close to fair but the Xoom price high?

Ok, the iPad has more apps but that's the only plus I can think of for it.

For me it's the price + the restrictions + the oem that makes it so unattractive. Motorola clearly doesn't understand the enthusiast side of Android, and their efforts with the normal consumer / power user base is ineffective.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

Plus, they'll burn your fingers! BURN!

[ptath2]

I really don't understand all the panning of the Xoom, I considered holding out for the Samsungs, or the sprint Xoom, but ended up getting a Verizon Xoom. My experience has been a lot better than I was led to believe by reading the forums, outside of the one failing I see with Android in general (no movie store, I know you can rip DVD's and such,) The stock honeycomb experience has been really good. My Xoom has become integrated into my life very quickly. I'm going to hate having to send it back for the LTE upgrade, which I guess is my one complaint with Motorola at this point, I guess I should have got another 4G enabled tablet, oh wait.......

oh, and no burning body parts so far.