Motorola Xoom for $450 at Staples (through 7/9)

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Android's first Honeycomb tablet has dropped in price since its introduction about 3 months ago.  For a limited time, you can own a Motorola Xoom for only $450 at Staples.  You will need a special $50 coupon.  This coupon is only valid until 7/9/11 and only in stores.  We gave the Xoom a 4.22 stars (the highest score we have given a tablet) when we reviewed it back in April.  At that time, the retail price was $599 which we criticized as a high starting price.  At $450, it is more competitive priced.  Although we have not reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 or any other Honeycomb-based tablet, the Xoom is a very good Android tablet.  If you always wanted a Xoom, here is your chance to get one at a great price.  However, do note that the FCC has approved a new Motorola Xoom - possibly the Xoom 2.  Not much is known at this time except the new tablet is slightly longer and has a LTE radio built-in.

Motorola Mobility Xoom WiFi Review

     It has been a while since our last review (Jan 2011) but there was no exciting & new tablet to review until now. TabletConnect first reported in August 2010 that Verizon and Motorola were going to introduce a 10” tablet. Little was known at that time. In November, we reported more details (although we noted it was a 7”) of the tablet that would be known as “Xoom”. With the Xoom being the first table to offer Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), which was specifically designed for a tablet rather than a phone, the iPad was going to have its first major competitor.

     The Xoom's specs had the making of a winner but the rumors of a $700 - $800 price tag was already putting the tablet at a disadvantage before it even launches. Motorola first launches the 3G model at a high price of $799 in February 2011. Fortunately, a lower cost WiFi version became available a month later on March 27^th. So is the Xoom worth $600? What about Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)? Is it better than the 2.2 tablets that were on the market. Let's find out.

Acer Iconia Tab A500 Available 4/24 for $450

Acer announced today that its Iconia Tab A500 10.1" Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) tablet will launch on April 24th for under $450.  Considering similar specs to Motorola's Xoom, it is a good deal. This is a Best Buy exclusive so you can preorder it now.  How similar is this table to the Xoom?

Survey Results: Motorola Xoom is Winner

I know I am a little late on this as the survey closed several days ago.  The question of the month was "Which tablet are you looking forward to?"  The winner: Motorola Xoom.  No surprise there.  Who were the others?

Its Official: Motorola WiFi only Xoom On Sale 3/27 $599

As noted in our tweet earlier today, Motorola has officially declared that the WiFi only version of its Xoom tablet will go on sale March 27th.  This was the rumored date so it is no surprise.  Also, no surprise is the selling price of $599. Amazon.com, Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack, Sam's Club (select locations), Staples and Walmart will be the various retailers selling the device both online and at their stores (if applicable). 

Android 3.0 Honeycomb Tablet Apps Demo

MobileBurn.com has provided a video of a handful of native tablet applications for the Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS. The apps were all used on Verizon's new Motorola XOOM, which features a 10.1-inch widescreen display. The demo includes Gun Bros, Tank Hero, AccuWeather, Rocket Bunnies, Pulse, Talking Tom, Angry Birds Seasons, and Google Sky Map. Most of the apps worked fine, but not all of them. Check out the video after the break

Motorola Xoom To Be Priced at $799

Reuters has reported that Motorola Mobility's CEO Sanjay Jha confirmed that the Xoom will be priced at unsubsidized price of $799 for Verizon Wireless.  The WiFi version will be priced at $600.  We are pleased that the price is not the rumored $1,100+.  Still at $799 is still higher than what we hope it would be priced.  The magic price is $600 which tablets should be no higher than this amount.  Jha stated that almost all Motorola products will be using the Android OS which is no surprised given its history with its smartphones.

Motorola's Xoom Tablet Coming Next Month

Motorola's CEO Sanjay Jha announced on the company's earnings call that the 3G version for Verizon of Xoom will arrive at "the end of February."  In addition, a LTE Xoom will arrive at "the end of the second quarter" as previously promised.  This is great if they deliver on their promise.  This seems to confirm a Best Buy rumor that the Xoom will launch on February 17th.  Apparently, the selling price will be $700 which is honestly too expensive.  In order for any tablet to have successful sales, it needs to stay below $500.  Although the Xoom will sport Android Honeycomb and Tegra 2 dual-processors, it may not do well at $700.