If Apple needed any further clues as to just who Motorola is pitching Xoom at, the device's price point should just about do it.

The firm's first tablet, coming with a 10.1-inch screen and set to be the first to run Android 3.0, will launch in the US on February 17 according to internal documents picked up by Engadget.

More interestingly, however, the 32GB 3G-enabled Xoom will be priced at $699.99 – that's $30 cheaper than the equivalent iPad model.

Powering past iPad

Though little is currently known about iPad 2, Motorola has set out to out-spec Apple's tablet on almost every level.

Xoom will come with a 5MP rear facing camera and a 2MP alternative on the front, HDMI out and a gyroscope, amagnetometer, accelerometer and a barometer - all for what we now know will be a cheaper price than its main rival.

If price is a genuine concern, however, Apple can fall back on its wi-fi only models, the cheapest of which comes in well below Xoom at $499.

Motorola is yet to announce its UK launch details, but form suggests Xoom will cost more than the conversion of its US price point at £440.

[source: Engadget]