Motorola Xoom’s 4G Upgrade Shows Up Late With No Apologies
By Jared Newman | Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 3:06 pm
Verizon Wireless’ 4G upgrade for the Motorola Xoom tablet was supposed to arrive during the second quarter of this year. It will finally be available Thursday, two days before the fourth quarter begins.
The upgrade process from 3G to 4G is inconvenient. Xoom owners must ship their tablets away for six business days, and are encouraged to back up any personal information on the device before shipping.
But buyers knew about the hassle going in. What they didn’t know was that Verizon Wireless and Motorola wouldn’t be good for their word. First, the upgrade date slipped to the late summer, and then September, with neither company saying it was sorry for the wait. And then Motorola and Verizon have the gall to put out a cheery press release that acts as if the delay never happened.
I agree with Computerworld’s JR Raphael, who wrote on Twitter that Xoom owners deserve some free credit, a free accessory, or at the very least, an apology. But I’m not surprised that Xoom owners are getting nothing. This is, as Harry put it, the era of beta hardware. Gadget makers have no qualms about selling unfinished products with vague promises of eventual fixes. If you get fooled into buying a half-baked Android tablet, well, shame on you.
(UPDATE: The Xoom 4G upgrade page says users who upgrade now can get a free dock–a $35 value–“while supplies last.” The offer wasn’t mentioned in the press release or on the upgrade page until it went live on Thursday, but it does take some of the sting out, provided there are enough docks to go around. Thanks to commenter Steve Landsberg for pointing it out.)
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September 29th, 2011 at 7:23 am
"Gadget makers have no qualms about selling unfinished products with vague promises of eventual fixes."
Microsoft have been doing this with their Windows product for years!
January 18th, 2012 at 3:15 am
very interesting post.this is my first time visit here.i found so mmany interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion..thanks for the post!
September 29th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Finally someone wrote a story that is what we as xoom owners have been saying for 7 months.
I am not going to be happy until they return my money.
Once correction to your story. Although I don't find it in anyway compensation for the lies they have told Motorola is including a free dock with your upgrade.
I want a public apology from both Motorola & Verizon for lying to the american consumer.
As of October 13th you will be able to buy a motorola xoom 4g for $200.00 then we paid for them back in february. Only this time for 200.00 less you get 4g.
Way to screw your customers Motorola & Verizon !!!!
September 30th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Ah, thanks for pointing that out. Moto didn’t mention the dock in its press release or on the upgrade page until yesterday.
October 1st, 2011 at 8:59 am
Excuses excuses….
October 6th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Quit complaining, it's not like your Tablet didn't work to begin with, and even if they didn't update it when they said they did, it's still being done. If all you whiners have nothing better to do than to cry over everything that doesn't go your way, you really need to "Get a Life"!!!!!
October 9th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
The last poster must work for Motorola. He probably has an ipad
October 9th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
It seems that nothing ever has all the bugs worked in a new product! That is why I wait a while before jumping on board!!!! Oh buy the way I don't work for any techno geek company………………I'm retired!!!!!
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