Motorola to sell Wi-Fi-only Xoom tablet for $599

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Motorola Mobility says it will start selling a Wi-Fi-only version of its Xoom tablet computer for $599 on March 27.

The Xoom is a prominent competitor to Apple Inc.'s iPad. A version with cellular broadband access went on sale through Verizon Wireless last month for $800, or $600 with a two-year contract.

The Wi-Fi-only iPad 2 model with 32 gigabytes of flash memory, the same amount as the Xoom, also costs $599. Manufacturers trying to take on the iPad have otherwise had a hard time matching the iPad's price.

The iPad 2 and Motorola Mobility Inc.'s tablet runs Google Inc.'s Android software, while the iPad runs a version of the iPhone's software.