The phrase "To activate Wifi functionality on this device, a minimum 1 month data subscription is required." IS footnote 7, mentioned on the left side in the WiFi icon.
I don't think the requirement is bizarre. It's bizarre if you're a consumer, but not if you're Verizon or Motorola. Verizon and Motorola would rather make more money than less money and so they want you to sign up for 3G service for a month ($30) and hope you just get accustomed to paying that $30 - that you'll pay the first month and forget to cancel it for the second month and then you'll just be used to having that $30 gone from your budget and enjoy the convenience of 3G coverage and end up continuing to pay $30/mo.
It's bad for consumers, but it makes a lot of sense if you're Motorola and Verizon trying to make more money off consumers. Plus, frankly, if you just want it for WiFi, it's really expensive. A WiFi iPad is only $500 making the XOOM 60% more expensive if you just want it for WiFi. Yes, the XOOM's specs might be better, but rumors are that an iPad 2 is right around the corner so that might not last too long.
I think that companies are looking to make more money off it and realize that if consumers are looking for a WiFi-only device, the iPad is already a much cheaper option.
Perhaps they are anticipating that demand will outstrip supply initially, and so some who want it aren't going to be able to get it. Might as well try to make the first units go to the people who will use more of their features.
It doesn't make sense that they'd require you to pay this price and buy data on top. Sounds to me like a typo, in which they meant to describe 3G functionality, but inserted Wi-Fi instead.
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[ 0.19 ms ] story [ 28.2 ms ] threadIt's bad for consumers, but it makes a lot of sense if you're Motorola and Verizon trying to make more money off consumers. Plus, frankly, if you just want it for WiFi, it's really expensive. A WiFi iPad is only $500 making the XOOM 60% more expensive if you just want it for WiFi. Yes, the XOOM's specs might be better, but rumors are that an iPad 2 is right around the corner so that might not last too long.
I think that companies are looking to make more money off it and realize that if consumers are looking for a WiFi-only device, the iPad is already a much cheaper option.
I am dying to get a Honeycomb tablet. But not under these terms.