Your wait is up. Verizon has come through with the DROID Xyboards. The DROID Xyboard Tablets are already available online and are set to be released in stores, according to the plan publicized by Verizon. Verizon has developed a pattern for releasing in store three days after what has been released exclusively online ahead of time. Their press release announced the availability in stores December 12th, as expected.
Verizon calls it as if it were merely a single tablet. However, there are a few varying configurations to select from. Take for example the 8.2-inch tablet that comes with either 16G or 32G, as opposed to the 10.1-inch with 16G, 32G, or 64G. There really are five different tablets. The 10-inch tablets will cost $530, $630, and $730, respectively. The 8.2-inch tablets will run you $430 and $530, respectively. All of the tablets, though, will require you sign a two-year contract, to secure them at these prices. You must also buy a data plan that starts at $30 for 2G per month.
Every tablet comes loaded with 4G LTE from Verizon, 1.2 GHz dual-core CPU’s, 1G RAM, and Android 3.2. You will be able to upgrade to 4.0 later. The 10.1-inch tablets also came equipped with a stylus for easier use of the touchscreen. All tablets are protected from scratches with Gorilla scratch resistant glass from Corning. They all have two cameras, as well, a 5MP rear-facing and a 1.3MP front-facing, for video conferencing.
The tablets will be available in Verizon stores starting Monday, but until then you can find them online at their website. They even have a limited promotion of $100 rebate on the tablets when you buy a DROID RAZR by Motorola for $300 (requiring you to buy a 2-year contract at $40 monthly, plus a data plan at a minimum of $30 monthly).
These tablets are super thin and lighter than a paperback novel. Imagine AAA batteries and these are thinner. I know it sounds unbelievable, but it is true. They carry an enterprise level of security and MotoCast to access any legal versions of your multimedia remotely on your regular personal computer, either at work or home. Download speeds fall between 5 and 12 Mbs, while uploads are 2 to 5. The 4G LTE technology is to thank for this. The Wi-Fi only versions are not currently offered in the U.S.
The 8.2-inch tablets are Verizon’s version of Motorola’s Xoom 2 and the 10.1-inch the Xoom 2 Media Edition. Motorola released the Xoom 2’s last month in the UK. Each of the Droid Xyboards have a 1280×800 IPS display. All of the tablets have Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n and LTE support. Verizon will also carry a supply of accessories for the tablets, with $50 discount available when purchasing the same DROID RAZR as with the $100 discount.
With the lightning fast connection speeds over LTE, the beefy dual processor, the ultra thin and ultra light build, I cannot imaging much more you would want in a tablet. The DROID Xyboard is it.
