Pricing?

[ckeegan]

I saw that too. All I have to say is my uncle's, sister's nephew's best friends grandpa works for a friend who says he spoke with Motorola's CEO while they were in the sauna at the club and he said he's heard in some marketing emails that the Xoom should be priced out at $299, wifi only version of course. He was tight lipped about the whole data plan, said it was up to Verizon Wireless. I will check with my other sources to get that info.

I totally agree, I'm still skeptical, but no more so than I am with the $799 price. I won't believe anything 100% until I see the screenshot from InfoCenter.

I think I would doubt that guy's post if he posted it 3 days ago, but it would be kind of weird to post something like that when the image quoting $799 is 18 inches above your post.

At this point, I just want a release date. I'm getting it at either price.

 

[Zaggs]

First of all, I certainly don't claim to know everything about the Adam, but I did look at it as a possibility. The tablet is fine, and I've never said anything negative about the hardware itself, anywhere.

If you read my post, I'm talking about Notion Ink as a company. People buying the Adam are taking a leap of faith to some extent. I know Notion Ink has said the Adam will get Honeycomb, that's public knowledge, but what about beyond that? Again, this is a company that has done nothing in the past. I understand that Adam owners will always have the ROM community, but what if your Adam craps out in 8 months, and Notion Ink isn't in business anymore?

Maybe I'm just skeptical because I've worked in an industry for 8 years, where 80% of my new competition fails within their first year. I just have a hard time buying a relatively expensive product from a startup, but I also know that Notion Ink had no other choice but to charge less for their product, because they are a startup.

Oh, so when you said "(b) going to support the Adam in the future with updates." that wasn't literal. I guess that was code for "after the honeycomb update coming in the future which they promised will they update past that."?
But you're right, they are a startup. Which means they'll have 1 major product out, the Adam. Not to mention as a startup, they don't have the overhead of a motorola So you're thinking they're going to launch it, upgrade it to Android 3, but then ditch their only product? Sure they may not survive financially. But thats completely different then abandoning their product.
Also you keep saying they "have to" or "no other choice" with the pricing. Because they are a startup. That implies they knew the Xooms price since a purposeful choice to charge less then the Xoom must be made with the Xoom's price known. Except, once again, they announced the pricing for the Adam awhile ago (aka august) give or take $25 I think depending on the outcome of one particular deal. So in August what were they pricing the Adam less than? The only hardware I'm aware of around that time was the Gtab. Some models of the Adam will cost less then the Gtab, some more. But also what about Viewsonic then? Surely you can't view them as a startup. Yet their 10in android tablet with a Tegra chip doesn't cost anywhere near the unsubsidized Xoom cost (gtab is what, $450?). Could it be Notion Ink and Viewsonic are really just not as greedy as Motorola assuming the price truly is $799?

 

[ckeegan]

Oh,

Obviously I'm not the one who thinks they know everything, and refuses to listen to others opinions. Yes, NI lacks overhead, but they also lack capital and any form of a marketing budget. Not to mention the distribution channels that Moto will have. All of those could easily lead to their decline. They're going to need more than one product to survive, unless they plan on charging for updates, which obviously wouldn't fly.

Plus, Viewsonic, seriously? Half the RAM, half the internal storage capacity, lower screen resolution, and a 1.3mp camera.

Anyway, back to the Xoom pricing. I'm fine with it, and I'm buying one on launch day. You know why? Because I can.

 

[Don S]

The latest leaks have it for $699 with no contract at Best Buy ...

 

[howarmat]

seems more reasonable, now how bout a sale lol

 

[redshift1]

Yet to appear on Amazon ?

 

[doubledown]

The latest leaks have it for $699 with no contract at Best Buy ...

That sounds much more inline with what would sell. I think it is funny that the article tries to point out what the ipad doesn't have and why that makes the Xoom such a good buy. As we all know, the ipad 2 is right around the corner and all will be close to equal as far as the hardware goes. If ipad prices stay inline with what they have been and the comparable XOOM model comes in at $30 less than the Apple product, I can see this as being a great rivalry. It would also mean that when the wifi only 16 GB version comes in at $469-$529 (I hope) I'll be bringing my money to moto/android

 

[fltblkvic]

Ok so it seems that $699 off contract for a 3g/wifi version is what's going to be the Best Buy price on Feb 17th. After, I do hope that a wifi only version comes around and takes at least a hundred or more off that price. As for the rest of this topic, It doesn't matter if YOU are going to buy one because YOU CAN, I think it's how many others CAN. If you can't get something to store shelves that the majority CAN afford then you're looking at an extremely small market share. The smaller the market share the worse off for the company. I'm not saying that they don't have the right to recoup some R&D money and of course to charge for the devices themselves, (the screen, processor, memory, battery, etc..) but it just doesn't make sense to put so much time and effort into something that only a handful of people are going to enjoy early on. No company puts a product out there hoping that, after it gets stale in warehouses, it sells out, they are hoping that it will be good enough on it's own to outweigh the cost associated with it and still make big number sales. Now, I think they messed up at CES simply because they couldn't/wouldn't show a working device, instead it was just a sample video. That alone may have taken some potential buyers off the waiting list because they didn't have an opportunity to see what they were waiting for. It sounds terrible to say this but I think they should sell it in a way that makes the price 1). an early adopters fantasy, and 2). make an iPad buyer regretful. Sell a wifi only version really cheap at first, get the ball rolling fast, then release the 4G version and make that a bit pricey, off contract, but discount for those who want it bad enough (because they didn't jump on it at the start and are now envious of what they see) with a network contract that keeps revenue flowing in. You can still get your money but through quantity of sales, not quantity of unit price. I know I said I wasn't going to buy one but I really want one, so Apple won't get my money, but neither will Best Buy or Verizon, or at least not on launch day. I'll just have to do what I've always had to do, wait for the hype to die down a bit and hope it falls within my price range sooner rather than later.

 

[ckeegan]

It would also mean that when the wifi only 16 GB version comes in at $469-$529 (I hope) I'll be bringing my money to moto/android

You don't honestly think 16GB of storage and a 3G radio cost $170, right? I've said it before and I'll say it again...

A Wi-Fi only version in the US will probably not be much less (if at all) than the Verizon Xoom. Verizon paid to have their logo on it, and they're paying to market and distribute it as well. Apple took a totally different approach by not letting AT&T put their logo on the iPad, which is the only reason the 3G iPad is more expensive. Moto would have to handle sales/marketing/distribution of a Wi-Fi only version themselves, all at added cost.

If you don't believe me, go pre-order the unbranded Xoom from Handtec for US$875.

 

[doubledown]

ckeegan, respectfully, I don't believe it. From a business standpoint it would be suicide. Earlier I looked up sales for the different versions of the ipad. Guess which one was the top seller...by far? The $499 wifi only model. Trailing far behind was the 64GB 3g version. These devices cost big money to R&D market and distribute. Why would a smart couple of companies out price their device and force cash strapped consumers to go buy the best selling (I know we hate it but it is true) tablet on the market for hundreds less. I know I don't think flash is worth a $300-$400 premium. Other than that, these tablets can do most everything the other can. There will always be places like Handtec that will do pre order gouging and get away with it. But for the longevity of the product and its sales the pricing better be close. No, I do not think a 3G radio and 16GB = $170, but we don't pay straight hardware prices either. We pay based on what the companies think we assign value to...they control the prices, and their own win or fail.

I agree to disagree. And enjoy your point of view All this speculation is fun but time will tell what the prices will truly be. My best guess...being that they have partnered with Verizon, we will not see a wifi version for at least several months here in the US (that whole latin america thing was never intended to be the model here anyway. wifi only first HA!) , and when we do it will be priced very close to Apple's ipad price. Till then the 3G and 4G versions will sell subsidized to allow Verizon to rack up subscribers who aren't willing to wait for or don't want a cheaper wifi only model. As we have seen speculated, these subscription versions will come in at or a little lower than their comparable ipad tablets. This will all even out over time and we will have two top tier tablets (in the consumers eyes) priced within dollars of each other and both doing very well. Whew...sorry so long winded.

 

[tsanuri]

You don't honestly think 16GB of storage and a 3G radio cost $170, right?

I think we all know it does not cost that much. Isuppli had the costs of the ipad as $27 for the radio and $30 for the storage plus another $1 in labor. But they charged $230 more the $58. So that big of a cost difference is not out of the question.

Mid-Range iPad to Generate Maximum Profits for Apple, iSuppli Estimates

 

[ckeegan]

Till then the 3G and 4G versions will sell subsidized to allow Verizon to rack up subscribers who aren't willing to wait for or don't want a cheaper wifi only model.

I don't think Verizon is planning to rack up subscribers on a product that won't require a data plan. I believe they have built some level of profit into the pricing of the Xoom. There is no data-only device that requires a data plan, and they don't even offer a contract term option for the Galaxy Tab or iPad.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out, but I'm getting the Xoom on launch day, regardless. Once the hype starts to build with early hands-on videos, probably a Super Bowl commercial (or some form of tie-in), and Mobile World Congress coverage; I'm guessing the demand for the device will exceed the expectations of those saying it's too expensive.

Even if 1% of current Android users in the US buy the Xoom within 30 days of launch, what is that, like 150,000 units? Maybe that's even aggressive, but only time will tell.

 

[jcash3]

The latest leaks have it for $699 with no contract at Best Buy ...

If this is true and BB sells it for that price, I am back in the game! That is the threshold for what I am willing to pay for the tablet.

Now, what electronics can a sell to get my wife off my back....

 

[murraj2]

Rabbit

 

[jcash3]

I can't sell her Rabbit! She would kill me. Who is going to keep her company while I am gone on business trips?!?

 

[rushmore]

The latest leaks have it for $699 with no contract at Best Buy ...

Makes more sense. Then perhaps $400 with two year data contract.

 

[IHateMyTreo]

Feb 17, $699. best buy. boy genius. Sign me up. Wonder if Best Buy preferred customers will get an invite to pre-order.

 

[jcash3]

Feb 17, $699. best buy. boy genius. Sign me up. Wonder if Best Buy preferred customers will get an invite to pre-order.

That would be awesome if BB did that. Since, I have spent thousands of dollars at their store every year, it would be a good thank you.

 

[tsanuri]

Feb 17, $699. best buy. boy genius. Sign me up. Wonder if Best Buy preferred customers will get an invite to pre-order.

Those same reports game from droid-life yesterday and were then dashed when they had someone from Best Buy do a price check and it came back at $799. I hope the $699 is right but right not it is all speculation.

 

[ckeegan]

Those same reports game from droid-life yesterday and were then dashed when they had someone from Best Buy do a price check and it came back at $799. I hope the $699 is right but right not it is all speculation.

I guess it's not completely impossible for Verizon to sell it at $799 with a $100 MIR, and Best Buy to sell it for $699 after "instant savings".

Obviously we'll know the definite price prior to launch though, so that's all that matters. The only thing I want absolute confirmation on is release date at this point. Screen shot from Verizon's system would do me just fine right about now.

 

[doubledown]

Hmmm, this guy seems to have been reading my posts

Motorola Xoom Tablet's Price Will Shoot It in the Foot by PC World
Motorola Xoom Tablet's Price Will Shoot It in the Foot - PCWorld Business Center

Reasons the Motorola Xoom may fall flat by CNET
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20029411-1.html

 

[fltblkvic]

Hmmm, this guy seems to have been reading my posts

Motorola Xoom Tablet's Price Will Shoot It in the Foot by PC World
Motorola Xoom Tablet's Price Will Shoot It in the Foot - PCWorld Business Center

Reasons the Motorola Xoom may fall flat by CNET
Reasons the Motorola Xoom may fall flat | Crave - CNET

I too read these articles as well as a couple more. The one thing I noticed in all of them is a reoccurring theme, from people who have been in the business of reviewing technology for years I might add, that it is viewed as: Firstly, a highly sophisticated and refined device that brings the best segments of the cutting edge together to form a very sharp product and: Second, and more emphasized (or at least longer winded), was the price. Since the "leaked" prices, both from Verizon and Best Buy sources, showing the Xoom to sell for $799 and $699 respectively, that it's going to be the most highly polished turd ever brought to the table. Given all the elements involved, from this being the first release of the latest form of Android, to the soon to be released iPad2, to the subsequent price slashing for almost every other tablet on the market (my brother-in-law just got a Galaxy tab for $239 at Best Buy two nights ago and a cousin of mine got an iPad for a little more than $300 within the past two weeks), to the myriad of other Honeycomb tablets slated for release within weeks of the Xoom, and at more competitive prices, it just doesn't spell "WIN" for Moto/Verizon. Just take a step back and look at the situation as a whole. From the "Average Consumer" point of view, this probably won't make their top ten electronics products purchased in 2011. If it were even just $100 cheaper... perhaps. I read somewhere around the holidays that when it comes to new computers (laptops, netbooks, pc's, etc..) people find that anything over $600 is just too much, viewed as full of unwanted features that get very little use unless you are looking for them specifically. For a good all around machine, a $600 ceiling is about what people "expect" to be charged for a well rounded experience. I can't imagine that, just because this is a new adaptation of the personal computing device, it will change that "expectation". I should note that I just finished doing my taxes and I will have my federal refund days before the Feb 17th release date which when combined with how terrible I am with things like temptation and anything shiny, and that I just can't seem to hold onto money for very long, that I will probably be writing posts here from my new Xoom the evening of Feb 17th myself. I, however, admit freely, to being a hypocrite and in the minority for potentially purchasing one the instant it becomes available, which is something that I feel will come back to bite me in the ass (initial bugs and the like such as the "patch" for the Notion Ink Adam, longevity of support for the device, lack of applications geared for tablets, etc...). Now for the record I should say that it isn't Feb 17th yet and no one KNOWS for sure what the damage to your wallet will be walking away from retailers with a new Xoom in hand, but I can't see this pricing information changing that radically between now and then. So for now I'll just be content to bitch about the price until after I've paid my March bills, by then I should have bounced back financially enough to concern myself with my new toy and not whether I'll be smelling t-shirts till payday.

 

[Old Member]

The more I think about pricing for these devices the more frustrated I get. I know about free markets, economics, supply and demand, etc. so please don't respond to this post with that argument.

Take a look at THIS LINK: BEST BUY'S LAPTOPS BETWEEN $600-$899. With a simple glance you can find laptops in this category that could (arguably) blow away the XOOM and iPad2 when they appear. Think logically about this. Laptops have a keyboard, licensed OS (in contrast with open source free OS), a HUGE hard drive compared to 32GB hard drives, better speakers, on and on.

I get that what's "new" and "hot" costs a bit more. There has to be some logic applied to it, doesn't there? I understand that some of the expense of the tablets will be in research and development for the Xoom2 and iPad3. Prices of electronics are going down. They are using less material to create them. For a tablet that REQUIRES cloud computing, an external keyboard and speakers, etc. to cost as much OR MORE than many laptops is mind boggling to me.

End rant.

 

[ckeegan]

Take a look at THIS LINK: BEST BUY'S LAPTOPS BETWEEN $600-$899. With a simple glance you can find laptops in this category that could (arguably) blow away the XOOM and iPad2 when they appear. Think logically about this. Laptops have a keyboard, licensed OS (in contrast with open source free OS), a HUGE hard drive compared to 32GB hard drives, better speakers, on and on.

Big deal, I already own a laptop, and I am looking to buy a tablet. That's like trying to convince someone to buy a motorcycle instead of the car they want, when they already own a motorcycle.

After that, the question becomes: Do you want the car (Xoom) that is relatively ground-breaking, designed with all the latest features, and built by a company with a pretty decent track record? Or do you want the car (Adam) that has a lot of the same features, was slapped together, has wires going every which way known to man, and was built by a company who appeared out of nowhere a year ago?

 

[StreakTheQuad]

The more I think about pricing for these devices the more frustrated I get. I know about free markets, economics, supply and demand, etc. so please don't respond to this post with that argument.

Take a look at THIS LINK: BEST BUY'S LAPTOPS BETWEEN $600-$899. With a simple glance you can find laptops in this category that could (arguably) blow away the XOOM and iPad2 when they appear. Think logically about this. Laptops have a keyboard, licensed OS (in contrast with open source free OS), a HUGE hard drive compared to 32GB hard drives, better speakers, on and on.

I get that what's "new" and "hot" costs a bit more. There has to be some logic applied to it, doesn't there? I understand that some of the expense of the tablets will be in research and development for the Xoom2 and iPad3. Prices of electronics are going down. They are using less material to create them. For a tablet that REQUIRES cloud computing, an external keyboard and speakers, etc. to cost as much OR MORE than many laptops is mind boggling to me.

End rant.

Do any of those laptops have a 10 inch capacitive touch screen? And why do the tablets REQUIRE those peripherals? They are optional.