Posted on 02/07/2011 3:24:11 PM PST by Swordmaker
Call us crazy, but we're having a hard time interpreting this line of fine print in any other way:
"To activate WiFi functionality on this device, a minimum of one month data subscription is required."
That's listed under Best Buy's most recent ad highlighting the world's first Android 3.0 tablet, and it most certainly sounds both ominous and ridiculous. Hardcore Verizon followers may remember the days of Big Red crippling Bluetooth radios in phones in order to "coerce" users to purchase ringtones and such from them rather than snagging one on the subway from Tom, Dick and / Jane, so we definitely wouldn't put something like this by the company. It's hard to say how this will be implemented once the $800 Xoom hits retail shelves, but it's certainly hard to believe that this is a Best Buy policy (and not a Verizon mandate). We'll be digging for more details (after all, this could all be some strange, terrible dream), but we'll be straight with you -- we don't like the potential implications here.
Update: We're hearing from some Best Buy Mobile employees that these simply won't be able to be sold without being first activated on Verizon's network, so even though you could theoretically cancel the same day, you'll still likely get hit with a one-time activation fee (and possibly one month of data). Then again, there appears to be typos on the flyer, so you may want to wait for Verizon's official word before getting up in arms.
I hope this price/policy isn't true because I was really thinking about picking one up.
DO NOT TRUST VERIZON with WiFi access fees, data plans, etc etc......
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Sounds like any other device from a wireless carrier, you have to buy service to get it at X price (or you can pay more and not buy a service contract.)
thats why I don’t get all the hype about the verizon iphone. I sell phones and no matter what network your on if you aren’t careful you’ll get slapped one way or another.
I think it is because AT&Ts service sucks so bad outside major metro areas (and in a lot of metro areas as well) that people want to be able to actually make a call. I have Verizon for both my personal and work lines and I can’t remember when I’ve ever dropped a call or had a hiccup in service while all my friends on Antique Telephone & Telegraph are cursing all the time about how bad their service is.
I don’t understand why a $800 computer needs a phone plan to be sold.
I usually argue with you Swordmaker.
I think I’d like a SIM card, prepaid, where it’s $5 a day for unlimited data, only on those days you use the wireless data network. Similar to how Verizon does prepay with minutes.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/prepay/prepayOverlay.jsp?page=dailyPrepayOverlay
that’s $1.99 a day for unlimited calling, only on days you use it.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=plans
that’s what they have for mobile broadband plans. $15 a day, 100mb cap? Pass. $80 a month? That’s $3 a day, if you use it every day. 20 days, $100, unlimited per day, prepay. I’d go for that. I don’t have mobile broadband right now, wouldn’t want to pay $960 a year ($80x12) for year round service. I would pay $100 for the times I need mobile broadband. If I do end up using the mobile broadband only 16 days in a month, Verizon comes out even, if I use it 17 days in a month, Verizon comes out ahead.
Because small and light with an excellent screen costs MONEY, truth... as I've been trying to tell you for a couple of months now. Add to that that Motorola is bleeding money and needs profits.
And, truth, This is the 32GB version. The Apple 32GB version is $70 less expensive and does not require a plan for the WIFI to be activated and has been since they were available on June of 2010. For just $30 more you can have the iPad 64GB version, also with WIFI activated.
Ridiculous, anyone can build an Android phone for $1.25 worth of discarded office supplies and old cigarette butts. Total ripoff. ;’)
No such contract/activation to buy an iPad. To access 3G network, you have to buy service, but the 3G iPad is not subsidized. I doubt there is a subsidy on this Android Tablet with a price of $799...
And WiFi is locked until you activate the data plan?
LOL! A real iPad killer, yep. /sarc
I dunno, a generic one of these with honeycomb 3.0 will be under $500 soon and then $300 a little less soon.
a 10 inch tablet is not a phone. Best Buy is not the Verizon store.
I’ve been touting the Xoom here. I’m not happy with this.
But I do believe that cheap generic android tablets will win.
Well, they warned you about those cell phones destroying your brain. The memory is the first thing to go.
:-)
Huh, I don’t get it? Why did you ping me to this? What is a Verizon and what is a ping?
Give me a call and I’ll explain - BR 547.
BR-549 to those who know.
The difference is that X price is usually steeply discounted. If what's being reported here is true, you can pay full retail and still have to pay Verizon to activate the Wi-Fi so you can use your own local network (which you've already paid for).
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