$799 for the Xoom? Ouch!

[Maikai.Guy]

Options are not the same thing as features. Sure this has a lot of cool stuff, but out of the gates we only have one choice of features.

You initially said it "lacks options", but OK... "features". What "features" does it lack?

IMHO a lot of people are getting confused between the overall Android market and Motorola. If you want a low or mid priced Android tablet, they are out there right now. If you are looking for a premium, high end Android tablet sporting more "features" than other other tablet on the market, you can buy the XOOM.

People don't go to the local Ferrari dealership and angrily shout that Ferrari doesn't offer their top model for $20K. Why do people shout at Motorola for wanting a premium price for a premium piece of equipment?

 

[dsignori]

You initially said it "lacks options", but OK... "features". What "features" does it lack?

IMHO a lot of people are getting confused between the overall Android market and Motorola. If you want a low or mid priced Android tablet, they are out there right now. If you are looking for a premium, high end Android tablet sporting more "features" than other other tablet on the market, you can buy the XOOM.

People don't go to the local Ferrari dealership and angrily shout that Ferrari doesn't offer their top model for $20K. Why do people shout at Motorola for wanting a premium price for a premium piece of equipment?

What he is trying to say, I think, is that initially there is just 1 XOOM option. The 32GB 3G/4G model. That's it. 1 tablet, 1 price point for the XOOM. There are, however, several versions of the iPAD, some at significantly lower prices than $800. Those iPads are not low quality mimics and still have the "Ferrari"-like abilities to the average consumer...

 

[bjordan]

All I can say is, Helloooooooooo Toshiba. Nearly identical specs (even stock android), wifi only, a better looking style, rubberized back, built in HDMI, full sized USB, replacable battery, and all sorts of other goodies.

Looks awesome as long as it's not $800+ as well. :/

The required data plan is the worst part of the Xoom at this point. Although the price point is pretty terrible as well.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Hopefully we continue to see a trend of untouched Honeycomb tablets. I'm a huge fan of stock Android, so the fact that the first big wave of these tablets being virtually untouched is good news for me

 

[dwboston]

Looks awesome as long as it's not $800+ as well. :/

The required data plan is the worst part of the Xoom at this point. Although the price point is pretty terrible as well.

It's not a required data plan. Only 1 month's worth of data is required. You can cancel it before the first month is up. The required 1 month is greedy on VZW's part, but it's not a 2-year contract.

 

[legendary1022]

This is what dropping the soap must feel like in jail. I really am dumbfounded at this price. I can see 699 seeing as most phones unlocked are around the 550-600 price points. The problem is, the industry's leader ipad is lower priced and offers relatively equal features. The LG Slate got a little more interesting.

Sent from my HTC Vision

 

[Maikai.Guy]

This is what dropping the soap must feel like in jail.

LMAO!!!! I had to thank you for that post!

 

[Maikai.Guy]

What he is trying to say, I think, is that initially there is just 1 XOOM option. The 32GB 3G/4G model. That's it. 1 tablet, 1 price point for the XOOM.

So... not "lacking options" and not "features", but instead... "models". OK.

There are, however, several versions of the iPAD, some at significantly lower prices than $800. Those iPads are not low quality mimics and still have the "Ferrari"-like abilities to the average consumer...

Yeah, every car has Ferrari-like abilities if you limit yourself to only going 20MPH down a straight smooth road. Try explaining the to Ferrari dealer that you're not going to use all those silly extra "features", so you should only have to pay $20K. He'll tell you to go get a VW bug.

 

[dwboston]

So... not "lacking options" and not "features", but instead... "models". OK.



Yeah, every car has Ferrari-like abilities if you limit yourself to only going 20MPH down a straight smooth road. Try explaining the to Ferrari dealer that you're not going to use all those silly extra "features", so you should only have to pay $20K. He'll tell you to go get a VW bug.

And the iPad didn't launch with every model available. There was a delay of more than a month until the 3G models were available.

 

[Auzo]

And the iPad didn't launch with every model available. There was a delay of more than a month until the 3G models were available.

Its one thing to delay launch because you haven't fully designed/tested/manufactured, whatever it may be, a unit with some added hardware. Its something completely different when the only reason you aren't releasing a variety of units is because of an exclusivity agreement.

The wifi version is ready, how couldn't it be seeing as they literally just have to remove the 3g/4g hardware and call it a day. They choose not to release it because they must have made a deal with the big red devil.

If anything the Wifi version should always be ready first since it is simpler to make. All the design work has to be done for the 3g version anyways so its not like they have to go out of their way to make the wifi only version.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Its one thing to delay launch because you haven't fully designed/tested/manufactured, whatever it may be, a unit with some added hardware. Its something completely different when the only reason you aren't releasing a variety of units is because of an exclusivity agreement.

An assumption I don't think we can make.

If anything the Wifi version should always be ready first since it is simpler to make. All the design work has to be done for the 3g version anyways so its not like they have to go out of their way to make the wifi only version.

I work in the semiconductor industry. We typically make a larger microcontroller, then release the lower cost, lower featured versions of it later. It's more cost effective to have a complete design and cut things out than engage in incremental designs and releases.

 

[cparker5]

So... not "lacking options" and not "features", but instead... "models". OK.

I said what I meant, but if you want to deflect a valid point into semantics go ahead.

In the end, they are only going to offer 1 Xoom at launch at a price beyond reasonable for the tech. If they gave me more options, other then the $799 model then I might reconsider.

 

[cparker5]

And the iPad didn't launch with every model available. There was a delay of more than a month until the 3G models were available.

And I didn't buy an iPad at Launch either, to few options at my retailer. Actually, I have never bought an iPad. But not sure what Apple's strategy has to do with it. The reason I tend to like Android devices is because they are not as stringent as Apple.

 

[Auzo]

An assumption I don't think we can make.


I work in the semiconductor industry. We typically make a larger microcontroller, then release the lower cost, lower featured versions of it later. It's more cost effective to have a complete design and cut things out than engage in incremental designs and releases.

Yes it's an assumption but I don't think its as far fetched as you think it is.

designing/manufacturing a chip is very different than integrating discrete sub-systems into an overall system. I don't disagree that you might as well design for the entire system from the get go. What I'm saying is that once its designed, to scale down "functionality" its as simple as just not installing that sub-system. the 3g subsystem is independent to everything else if its designed well.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

I said what I meant, but if you want to deflect a valid point into semantics go ahead.

In the end, they are only going to offer 1 Xoom at launch at a price beyond reasonable for the tech. If they gave me more options, other then the $799 model then I might reconsider.

OH! You mean they leave YOU no options. OK

That's the problem with the written word sometimes. Without verbal inflection or body language it can be read in a particular way and the mind gets fixated on that translation. I was wondering where the heck you were coming from. I got it now.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Yes it's an assumption but I don't think its as far fetched as you think it is.

designing/manufacturing a chip is very different than integrating discrete sub-systems into an overall system. I don't disagree that you might as well design for the entire system from the get go. What I'm saying is that once its designed, to scale down "functionality" its as simple as just not installing that sub-system. the 3g subsystem is independent to everything else if its designed well.

IMHO, they are working their butts off to make these things.

From reading stories in the Asian press (highly suspect, I agree) it looks like they only took in components for a couple hundred thousand units in December. The bulk of the 800K to 1M units worth of components (depending on which rag is reporting) didn't arrive until mid January. Considering build time, test time, ship (literally) time, distribution time...

I really don't think it's a case of arrogance. I think it's a case of getting it to market as fast as possible. They are struggling with the single build. Creating multiple build lines with multiple production tests, etc... would slow them down. For now, they want to be as fast to market as possible and that means everyone is focused on one single build. No variables for now.

I'm sure they will offer model levels in the future.

 

[Auzo]

IMHO, they are working their butts off to make these things.

From reading stories in the Asian press (highly suspect, I agree) it looks like they only took in components for a couple hundred thousand units in December. The bulk of the 800K to 1M units worth of components (depending on which rag is reporting) didn't arrive until mid January. Considering build time, test time, ship (literally) time, distribution time...

I really don't think it's a case of arrogance. I think it's a case of getting it to market as fast as possible. They are struggling with the single build. Creating multiple build lines with multiple production tests, etc... would slow them down. For now, they want to be as fast to market as possible and that means everyone is focused on one single build. No variables for now.

I'm sure they will offer model levels in the future.

That's a fair point.

I guess some of the past transgressions from big corporations have left me jaded and cynical. I'm always expecting the worst from companies.

 

[eallan]

IMHO, they are working their butts off to make these things.

From reading stories in the Asian press (highly suspect, I agree) it looks like they only took in components for a couple hundred thousand units in December. The bulk of the 800K to 1M units worth of components (depending on which rag is reporting) didn't arrive until mid January. Considering build time, test time, ship (literally) time, distribution time...

I really don't think it's a case of arrogance. I think it's a case of getting it to market as fast as possible. They are struggling with the single build. Creating multiple build lines with multiple production tests, etc... would slow them down. For now, they want to be as fast to market as possible and that means everyone is focused on one single build. No variables for now.

I'm sure they will offer model levels in the future.

Regardless of the reasons, this just screams a tough sell. I just don't see how this can compete in large quantities with it's price point. I was absolutely DEAD SET on getting one. Until the 800 + 1 month thing came up.

I'm still crossing my fingers the ad is wrong, but not holding my breath. I'm glad i'm not in charge of selling this thing.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

Regardless of the reasons, this just screams a tough sell. I just don't see how this can compete in large quantities with it's price point. I was absolutely DEAD SET on getting one. Until the 800 + 1 month thing came up.

I'm still crossing my fingers the ad is wrong, but not holding my breath. I'm glad i'm not in charge of selling this thing.

Agreed. On the thread asking 'How many will they sell?', I said between 500K and 1M. I already felt it would be far closer to former than the later. But now? After they diddle around trying to create buz in the most annoying way. After repeated leaks are doing more to hurt them than to help them...

I'm feeling below 500K in the first 90 days.

If I were in charge, I'd immediately offer a pre-order with either a $50 to $100 discount off the $800 ...or a free accessory, like a dock or a portfolio (or both). I'd also throw in a useful app that one would normally have to pay for. PocketCloud comes to mind. The actual release date might still be nebulous, but people could deal with it.

Everyone not pre-ordering will be paying $800 for just the pad... thank you.

If they did something like this, I'm back to predicting well over 500K. ;-)

 

[hkklife]

1. Continuing to stick with MotoBlur despite repeated pleas from users & bloggers alike

2. The astronomical, customer-gouging pricing of the various Atrix docks

3. The astronomical, customer-gouging pricing of the Xoom (and likely of its accessories too)

4. Offering the Xoom only in a single, carrier-pleasing configuration

Nope, it's definitely arrogance and a stunning lack of awareness of the market. Sanjay Jha needs to be shown the door IMMEDIATELY.


Soooo, I can wait two weeks and pay $799 + sales tax (8.25% here) + mandatory VZW activation + mandatory one month's 3G data, essentially coming to ~$920 for most users...or I can buy a a Viewsonic Gtablet with fairly comparable hardware specs TODAY for $370 shipped from Amazon or, pending availability, even less from other sources.

What a joke. Google, VZW, and Moto are bending over and handing Apple the entire tablet market on a silver platter. Again, I'll repeat--I know a LOT of people with iPads. 85% of the iPads I see are the $500 mode. Casual users & older folks have a 16gb wi-fi version and the power users have a 32gb or maybe a 64mb wi-fi version. I know of only ONE person with a 3G iPad and he didn't even bother with keeping the AT&T service active after the first month or two.