Verizon Says Data Plan No Longer Required For The Motorola Xoom, Darn Skippy VZ

[wicked]

Looks like Big Red “finally came around” in regards to their requirement of the one-month data plan purchase and bogus $35 activation fee for those who have desperately desired a Xoom. This included customers who just wanted to buy the device and use it as a WiFi only tablet. The word “rubbish” comes to mind, to put it nicely. If Verizon fails to play their cards right in this pricing war, they are going to lose a ton of ground with prospective consumers to that other pad out there, what’s its face? Anyway, as of now The Xoom is $599 with a two-year contract, and $799 without an agreement. For starters, we’re thankful to see the data plan restrictions and activation fees removed by Verizon, and we can definitely note that they are moving in the right direction for competition’s sake. In an article written by JR Raphael over at ComputerWorld, he states:

As of this morning, Verizon has removed that requirement. I’ve confirmed with a Verizon Wireless spokesperson that if you purchase the Xoom for $800, without a contract, you will not be required to pay the $35 activation fee or sign up for any sort of data plan.

So, here’s to hoping that Verizon changes the playing field a bit with pricing or we fear there will be some serious sale suffering when the iPad 2 enters the game. Come on Verizon, make believers out of us. The Xoom, with Honeycomb on board, makes for an extremely impressive device. It’s that “but” that comes into play when it comes to pricing.

TalkAndroid

[tp76]

They told me this at BB on the 24th - I didn't believe them

[mwhartman]

So the two year contract includes a data plan ($35 x 24 = $840). Ouch!

[alphawave7]

My guess is they're not flying off the shelves at the current price and it's costing a TON to advertise them.

[furbearingmammal]

My guess is they're not flying off the shelves at the current price and it's costing a TON to advertise them.

No argument here.

Memo to iPad mimics: No one wants a $799 knockoff ? The Register

As awesome as the hardware and software is... It's still NOT an iPad to the world at large, and Verizon is already selling those [censored].

[alphawave7]

No argument here.

Memo to iPad mimics: No one wants a $799 knockoff ? The Register

As awesome as the hardware and software is... It's still NOT an iPad to the world at large, and Verizon is already selling those [censored].

I'm sure they're way cool, but I can buy a LOT of cool stuff for the $6-800 for this unit, and that reasoning is what keeps other buyers from springing for it. It will remain a niche uber-geek product until it falls in line with the iPad pricing. I can make do with honeycomb on my Nook Color until that happens.

[psychotic_penguin]

Got mine Thursday, no data plan just wifi

Of note the Xoom, Portfolio Case, Dock, Bluetooth Keyboard and Gel Skin right at $650!

[mwhartman]

Got mine Thursday, no data plan just wifi

Of note the Xoom, Portfolio Case, Dock, Bluetooth Keyboard and Gel Skin right at $650!

So you got five pieces for $650? Where please?

Mike

[furbearingmammal]

So the two year contract includes a data plan ($35 x 24 = $840). Ouch!

It's $50*24=$1,200, actually. For a 5GB cap. Make that a double ouch-burger with burn-sauce and the bun is extra.