Motorola has recently announced that its XOOM Family Edition 16GB Android tablet will be available exclusively at Best Buy, retailing at $379.
What's really new about the Family Edition of the XOOM is the software, with the device including over $40 of free apps aimed at families and kids. Among the software is Kid Zone by Zoodles, which allows parents to lockout the home button and make only content they deem acceptable available to their children. Other bundled software/games include QuickOffice, MOTOPRINT and Asphalt 6.
Motorola isn't being too up-front over what other software is bundled and so we may have to wait to hear first-hand from eager shoppers.
The most interesting factor to note is the drop from 32GB to 16GB has enabled a much more competitive price, with $379 likely to translate to £299 in the UK. This seems like a very reasonable move on Motorola's part given poor sales in light of the iPad and even competing Android devices such as the Asus Transformer.
It certainly sounds like a fair deal, but with Asus rumored to be releasing the second iteration of its Transformer tablet this year and Motorola prepping XOOM 2, it may be worth holding fire and seeing just what the future holds.
Motorola has released a YouTube series of videos including the use of 'Kid Mode' for those who are considering making a purchase for their kids and want to get a feel for what is actually being advertised:
