Tight iPad 2 Supply = Opportunity for WiFi Xoom?

Motorola has announced that the WiFi-only version of its Xoom tablet (Google Android) will be available on March 27, 2011 for $599. Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Radio Shack, Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, and others will carry the tablet. Unlike the iPad 2, retailers have some flexibility with the Xoom’s pricing. Considering that the iPad 2 is tough to find (and should be for weeks), do you think the Xoom has an opportunity?

I believe that there are some consumers that will see the Xoom and think, “It’s like the iPad 2, except I can buy one now!” I also think that there are some consumers that are pissed off that they can’t buy an iPad 2 and will opt for a WiFi Xoom instead. Having said all that, I’m not sure these kinds of consumers will add up to significant sales.

On paper, a WiFi Xoom for $599 matches up nicely with a comparable iPad 2 model. In some cases, it offers hardware and software (OS) capabilities that the iPad 2 doesn’t have. However, it gets slaughtered in the apps department. It will be interesting to see if people are willing to bet on Android 3.0’s (Honeycomb) great potential with a Xoom purchase.

Most importantly, I want to know what you think! Does Motorola have a brief window of opportunity to sell a ton of Xoom tablets while the iPad 2 is scarce? Or will the iPad continue to be the only tablet computer that matters?

Author: RPadTV

https://rpad.tv

34 thoughts on “Tight iPad 2 Supply = Opportunity for WiFi Xoom?”

  1. I am waiting on the WiFi only Xoom to come to Sam's Club for the $539 in that 'leaked' ad. I want it for the house that has wifi so paid internet is dumb.

    I do think a lot of people will end up with an Android tablet instead of iOS just because of the short supply. I don't know though. I think most of the people that buy Apple products do so just because it is an Apple product and it doesn't matter how long you have to wait or what you have to pay, you want your status symbol.

    1. Most? I wouldn't say that at all. Certainly there are some Apple customers like that (especially in Los Angeles), but I don't think it's most. Apple makes a variety of good products. Most people buy good products because they're good.

      1. I should say Most of the people I know. I like to ask them why they got it or what they like about it and most don't have a response. Many of them constantly bitch about their iPhones but have so much faith their problems will be fixed with the next version they blindly go out and buy it.

  2. Since I don't use and any 'i' products I actually don't know why everyone mentions the App advantage Apple has over Android. Are there specific apps that are so worth it I should buy an Apple product?

    I mean I hear there are more apps on Apple ALL the time, but when I had an iPhone the top apps were ALWAYS fart apps.

    1. For games and entertainment, iOS blows Android away. For productivity, it's close. In the case of a tablet, which most people will use as a media consumption device, games and entertainment apps are more relevant.

      1. Games I'll give you. I can't find any good Android games, but I also don't know of any on iOS past what we discussed the other day.

        Entertainment apps? I only need a music player, a movie player and the internet. Other than that I can't think of any other entertainment apps that would be of use. And to me as long as something does what it is supposed (like play) then it is fine.

      2. Yeah but they have been a around for a while and I don't use them. I used to have Netflix (pre streaming) but got tired of paying for it and I got the same thing from the video store. I have Vudu on my PS3 and I still haven't used my free movie because I just don't see the point in streaming movies when you can just as easily get a dvd that you can watch at anytime.

        Hulu is a bit worse. Stream, buffer, stream, buffer and I quit using Hulu because the amount and length of commercials has made it just like TV and I have a much better TV than I have computer screen. I will never buy into Hulu Plus. I bought my Playstation plus subscription but I still haven't looked into Hulu, well because its free.

      3. Yeah but you don't have it after that. What do you watch when the internet goes down, I have over 2,000 DVDs?

        I assume that happens everywhere else also, internet outages. Our internet goes down for 'scheduled maintenance' twice a month. And then every time a storm comes through it goes out. Oddly the Cable will stay on but the internet always craps out. This happened when I lived in Southmayd (928 people) and when i recently moved to a different city with a that has CableOne.

      4. Yes, but you're paying $10 a month for unlimited streaming. If you want to buy then you can purchase on iTunes, which also requires less effort than buying a physical disc.

      5. That streaming has a limited selection currently and whenever it goes on a cable channel they lock it out 1 to 2 months prior and a few months after it airs. The licensing is ridiculous.

      6. I hate digital copies. I own 15-20 Bluray movies and most come with digital copy. I have yet to ever use or activate one.

      7. @Slicky

        Those digital copies are sometimes crap. I received The Dark Knight as a gift and it came with a digital copy….or rather a code to get a digital copy for $10 or something like that.

    2. @Slicky

      The apps are relative to the end user. I haven't purchased an App in a very long time. Maybe I'm too old school and will just go to a website instead of having a wikipedia app, or some other form of web based app. I think that is my issue with a lot of these apps…they are web based and don't function off line. My iPad is great for games, that work well with touch, but the last thing I bought was Rage and it was really just to support the dev there.

      Apps smapps. I think the Apple Ecosystem and brand recognition of support like iTunes and such is what keeps ppl coming back on top of the great build quality for the price.

      @Ray

      No, I don't think this will spur sales of the Xoom in any significant amount.

      1. Touche. Netflix yes for me…Hulu…no.

        I'm pretty stoked about Netflix producing original content. I wonder if it will be mainstream and censored though? I know some of the southpark episodes have chunks removed. The raping of Indiana Jones comes to mind.

        I really hope they produce quality like HBO or Showtime.

  3. A DVD rip requires more time and effort than transferring a digital copy that's already on a disc. Again, I understand that you hate them. You should try to understand that they're great for other people.

    1. Right I get that they are great for other people. I never said I didn't. I was simply voicing the only opinion I have and that is MY opinion.

      From above(and I mean the article….not heaven. lol): "Most importantly, I want to know what you think!"

  4. @ All

    Mr. Tokz texted me a nice little tidbit of info. Baseball season starts on 3/29 and we need a commissioner for the fantasy league. I for one an down for the for the league but I AM NOT going to run it, I had a hard enough time with the football league lol.

    Will someone step up to the plate? (See what I did there?)

  5. @rpad

    hey! you have TWC service, right? did you see they haven an iOS app that lets you stream tv service? you should check that out, i'm interested to see how that works.

      1. They eliminated quite a few of the options on that app yesterday I read. The channels were pissed their content was shown on another device besides a tv inside of the house that pays for the service.

      2. @Ray

        Yeah it is huh? You'd think one day they'd realize that distributing digitally and allowing consumers some viewing flexibility would eliminate most of their piracy concerns huh? Maybe one day the old guard will die out and the new guard will prevail?

        doubtful. "meet the new boss….same as the old boss"

    1. @BB

      nice. at beer fest tomorrow i'll knock back a few for you. have a good one!

      i love beer fest week.

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