Why You Can Trust CNET Tablet Thursday: Get a Motorola Xoom 2 + 4G LTE for $219 shipped
Known stateside as the Motorola Droid Xyboard, this feature-packed tablet is available in your choice of size: 8.2 or 10.1.
So here's something I didn't know: When Motorola released the inevitable successor to its popular Xoom tablet, it was called the Xoom 2 -- in Europe. Here in the U.S., Motorola decided to call it the Droid Xyboard.
Droid Xyboard. I'll let that sink in for a moment. That may not rank among the dumbest tech-product names of all time, but it's up there.
How about we just agree to call it the Xoom 2 and get on with our lives, 'kay? Good. Today only, and while supplies last, Daily Steals has the refurbished Motorola Xoom 2 + 4G LTE tablet for $219 shipped. And here's where it really gets interesting: you get to choose between 8.2- and 10.1-inch screens.
Zuh? Yep, the Xoom 2 comes in two sizes. Why Daily Steals has them priced the same, I have no idea. But as much as a 4G-capable 10.1-inch tablet for $219 rocks, I can see the appeal of choosing the smaller model. It's a little lighter, a little more compact, a little easier to wield one-handed.
In any case, both Xoom 2s net you a 1.2GHz processor, 16GB of expandable storage, dual cameras, Bluetooth, and the option of sweet, sweet 4G LTE from Verizon. (Note I said "option": You don't have to activate service, nor do you need to sign up for a contract if you do.) I think that gives the Xoom 2 a big leg up on competing tablets, few of which even offer 4G, and definitely not at this price point.
I've not used a Xoom 2 myself, but CNET said it "feels like an amalgamation of all our favorite Android tablets of 2011." (It debuted in late 2011, so it's just over a year old.) Although it ships with Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), you can easily upgrade it to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
Because it's a refurb, you get only a 90-day warranty. And because it's sold by Daily Steals, it could take a couple weeks to arrive on your doorstep. (This is par for the course; don't order this if you're in a hurry.)
Those nits aside, this is one of the better deals I've seen on a big (or bigger) 4G-capable tablet. Might be worth a look!
Bonus deal: The Cortex Camera app for iOS helps you snap better low-light photos. It normally sells for $2.99, but for a limited time, you can get Cortex Camera for free. Said CNET's Matt Elliott: "In my experience, I found that Cortex Camera greatly reduced noise in low-light conditions." Sold!
Bonus deal No. 2: I haven't forgotten you, Android users: Today only, the Amazon Appstore has Mobiata's FlightBoard for Android absolutely free. Regular price: $3.99. It's a top-rated real-time flight tracker -- and a very cool one, IMHO.
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