Toys R Us Unveils Android Tablet For Kids

Android is a toy by Mr.+Kinky · 2012-09-10 06:37 · Score: 4, Funny

Boooya!

Re:Android is a toy by ColdWetDog · 2012-09-10 06:41 · Score: 4, Funny

They're just doing this now because manufacturers have found that the only people with the eyesight and dexterity to handle microSD cards are 7 year olds.
QOTD: Only adults have difficulty with childproof caps.

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Re:Android is a toy by amirishere · 2012-09-10 06:56 · Score: 0

The only thing I can use my Galaxy S for is word learning and some minimal email checking and messaging, other than that it's just games. Guess it is a toy or maybe I am getting old. Has anyone managed to use their smartphone/tablet/iphone for anything serious?
Re:Android is a toy by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-10 07:11 · Score: 5, Interesting

Also see the "Bicycles are toys" crowd, versus the people who have no car and don't pay insurance/gas/car payment and are happily bicycling to work, to school, grocery shopping, etc.

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Re:Android is a toy by Khyber · 2012-09-10 07:24 · Score: 1

Yes, my smartphone controls food production facilities and gives me updates on nutrient concentration, pH levels, O2/CO2 balance, etc.

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Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Re:Android is a toy by Nadaka · 2012-09-10 07:37 · Score: 2

My smartphone is a camera/flashlight/gps/map
And I also have the option of writing html5 web apps on it and running a web server.
Re:Android is a toy by afidel · 2012-09-10 08:02 · Score: 1

My Android phone runs Debian.
chroot and loopback file systems are fun =)

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Re:Android is a toy by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 08:06 · Score: 3, Funny

The only thing I can use my Galaxy S for is word learning and some minimal email checking and messaging, other than that it's just games. Guess it is a toy or maybe I am getting old. Has anyone managed to use their smartphone/tablet/iphone for anything serious?
I use my Droid X to troubleshoot issues with wireless networks, do a bit of mitm experimentation, keep track of website analytics, study various religious text, tune my guitar, chat via IRC, control my home theater system, send WoL packets, monitor police and emergency radios, test various media codecs/protocols, play and record electronic music, manage my business calendar/contacts/transactions...

Oh, and of course, listen to Pandora whilst playing Nethack (most important use EVAR)!

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An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:Android is a toy by XiaoMing · 2012-09-10 08:44 · Score: 1

Also see the "Bicycles are toys" crowd, versus the people who have no car and don't pay insurance/gas/car payment and are happily bicycling to work, to school, grocery shopping, etc.
That almost makes sense, were it not for the fact that the comparison fails here as you can get a fully functional (arguably more functional, better performing) laptop at the same price, if not less than many of the tablets out there (Sub-$400 Sandy bridge core i5's).
It's like saying "Look at all the stuff I can get done on my $20k Ducati!" as an excuse borne out of misrepresented frugality and necessity.
Re:Android is a toy by Culture20 · 2012-09-10 08:44 · Score: 1

Yeah, I SSHed into a server that was experiencing uber-load and restarted the offending service. Then I went back to reading /.. I'd say reading /. is serious.
Re:Android is a toy by FatdogHaiku · 2012-09-10 08:56 · Score: 3, Funny

You forgot checking for IR output from various remote controls. TV remote not working? Point it at the phone camera and you should see the remotes IR LED ligjt up (on the phone camera screen) when you press a button on the remote.

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You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:10 · Score: 0

Obscure, but yes I did try this a few weeks ago when I was trying to work out if a TV remote was out of batteries or actually not talking to the TV.
Re:Android is a toy by kelemvor4 · 2012-09-10 09:19 · Score: 2

Corporate email, cell phone of course, I've attended WebEx meetings on my phone, and used some web interfaces at the office (that I wrote) to control servers from the phone (via vpn). At the end of the day, my favorite feature is wireless tethering.

It gives me some freedom from sitting at the pc which I otherwise wouldn't have (at the expense of making me way too accessible after hours).
Re:Android is a toy by johnsnails · 2012-09-10 09:38 · Score: 1

Well I don't know about of course... That's a pretty strong statement considering most smart phones don't even have dedicated dialer buttons
Re:Android is a toy by just+another+AC · 2012-09-10 09:51 · Score: 1

That almost makes sense, were it not for the fact that the comparison fails here as you can get a fully functional (arguably more functional, better performing) laptop at the same price, if not less than many of the tablets out there (Sub-$400 Sandy bridge core i5's).
Your comparison fails. In this case it is specialist functionality (ie child compatible) not price to regular functionality. The more accurate comparison is saying I can get an "arguably more functional better performing" second hand car for $5000 compared to a specialist functionality road racing bicycle (eg tour de france spec) for $15,000
Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:57 · Score: 0

people who have no car and don't pay insurance/gas/car payment and are happily bicycling to work, to school, grocery shopping
You make it sounds like its a good thing when its not. You can't go very far, you could die in an INSTANT from even a very minor accident, and you are a hazard to everyone else on the road. Fucking bicyclists need to just pay for their OWN road system and get off OURS.
Re:Android is a toy by amRadioHed · 2012-09-10 10:01 · Score: 1

It seems you either seriously lack imagination, or you have no use for computers in general. Or maybe you just have a bizarre definition of serious, since most people would consider communication to be a serious use of a device.

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Re:Android is a toy by kelemvor4 · 2012-09-10 12:29 · Score: 3, Informative

The lack of a tactile keyboard is definitely one drawback to smartphones. I think the Tactus touchscreen stuff is going to solve that problem. Hopefully apple won't buy them out and refuse to license it to other companies. Link: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Touchscreen-Tactile-Feedback-Smartphones-buttons,16492.html
Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 16:08 · Score: 0

I connect to network shares, edit MS Word and Excel documents, use MapQuest as a free turn by turn navigation system, listen to my audible books, Read Kindle, Nook, and other DRM eBooks. I email, sync, see and make appointments that upload to my Google account and sync to my Outlook. I have direct RSS Feeds of my favorite Blogs, along with all the New York times best seller lists. I read updated New York times headlines everyday and Dilbert! Retrieve and sync my One Note notebooks on my Windows SkyDrive, watch my YouTube Videos, check my Facebook, and monitor and place bids on eBay items. I plan and organize books, find the nearest restaurants, hotels, shopping, and airports when traveling. I read all my digital magazines, edit photos, and of course,listen to music. There's more...
Re:Android is a toy by petman · 2012-09-10 20:42 · Score: 1

You don't use it to make calls? You do know it's a phone, don't you?

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Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 22:09 · Score: 0

laptops are not tablets just like apples are not oranges.
Re:Android is a toy by olau · 2012-09-10 22:22 · Score: 2

Have you used it for a phone call yet?
Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 23:02 · Score: 1

What's the point of that?
Re:Android is a toy by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-10 23:58 · Score: 0

Actually I lived 7 miles from work, 1 mile from a grocery store, and 0.7 miles from light rail that went to major shopping centers and had a $400 GT bicycle with $50 panniers on it. I've seen people do bulk runs to Costco on touring bikes (different geometry and gearing, made to haul 200lb of shit around) with specially designed trailers that hook up to your bike (they're about $200-$500; the ExtraWheel is the most maneuverable, but really big bulk storage comes with some of the less slick ones. You can't put a crate on an ExtraWheel).
Roads were invented because of bicycles. Bicycles would scare pedestrians--too fast, dangerous, heavy. Paved roads allowed for easier, faster transit and isolation. In some cities, a bicycle gets you around better than a car--Baltimore City is like that, try driving down by the Inner Harbor and it's a mess, a bicycle can keep up with traffic (pass it by driving illegally, but that's bad--don't run lights and don't weave through traffic... though the right lane is dedicated bicycle/bus in a lot of the harbor area so usually you DO blast past traffic!). Parking is expensive and you're usually a mile away from anything interesting, but the bike you lock up out front of the Barnes & Noble and you're right at Barnes & Noble instead of 6 blocks away (it's a 3/4 mile walk from the $8 parking garage to the B&N, or $20 to park in one of the ones 4 blocks away for more than 2 hours).
Bikes won't get you 20 miles to work unless you're really hardcore or traffic is really that bad. I mean if you got it and you're going to sit in traffic for an hour and a half, but you can pull it off on the bike in the same time (or less--bike lane at 20mph...), go for it. New York is like that, but they have public transit that's much more reasonable. Mass transit here takes 3 hours for a former coworker to get to work, while he makes the bike ride in 2 and it's work, so he bicycles there and doesn't buy a bus pass--on a $20 ducati, which by the way does fall apart every few weeks (hence why I have a real road setup hybrid bike, that plus it's actually easier to ride). For the average person I would say 5 miles is reasonable, and if you can't do it then you can get up to it in a few weeks. After that, the time difference or the amount of endurance needed starts increasing sharply and it's no longer feasible; can't fault someone for commuting 60 miles in a car instead of a bicycle (maybe you should move closer to work...).
For me it took me 39 minutes to drive to work and 45 to bicycle it, stopping at all traffic lights and stop signs with local law stopping (Idaho law says bicycles and motorcycles can stop at a red light, verify no cross traffic, and then proceed through; Maryland law specifies that bicycles and motorcycles must wait for green, and pedestrians cross with the light--i.e. red light means pedestrians get a do-not-walk). It put less wear on my car, cost me about $100/mo less in car insurance (full coverage, I drive a lot less and so I pay less insurance--blame me for having a car loan instead of buying in cash), helped me feel much more awake at work, sleep better, I even became slimmer but stronger.. more muscle tone, less flab, for an investment of 12 minutes a day. Grocery trip was 10 minutes driving in the city, or the same time on a bicycle because I always caught the same lights anyway. Light rail ride was longer than driving, but cheaper than gas, and I could read books on the light rail--I can't read books while driving, I swerve all over the road.
I wouldn't bicycle the 15 miles uphill to Hunt Valley and back. I have gone the 9 out to H-Mart, a few times, just to do it. Usually I drive that because usually I get fish!
Anyway I could do this all day, but eh. Bicycles, motorcycles, public transit... my parents tried to convince me riding the bus or light rail was infeasible as a form of transit, but that's what I do these days. I own a car, I drive, but I also bike around and ride rail. Don't take a 50cc dirt bike on a cross country highway trip; don't take a $20 ducati as a bicycle for serious commuting (or mountain biking, never do that unless you want to die when your bike shatters).

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Re:Android is a toy by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-11 00:00 · Score: 1

The OP claimed Android was a toy, across the board. Like saying cars are toys, or bicycles are toys.

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Re:Android is a toy by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-11 00:10 · Score: 1

Anything under 40mph direct collision is unlikely to be fatal. Amusingly, in a car, injury sharply climbs around 40mph, and fatality in a 40mph total head on collision (20mph to 20mph) is very high even with airbags. A motorcycle also has a sharp increase in injury at around 40mph collision speed. Also, a car hitting a pedestrian at 40mph has a high probability of killing the pedestrian, while at 35mph the pedestrian will probably survive with minor injuries (broken bones heal).
Bicyclists are SUPPOSED to bike in the far light lane with traffic, but a lot bicycle against traffic which is EXTREMELY hazardous. Bicyclists are required by law to stop at stop signs and red lights, but they also often don't--cops should be ticketing these people. Cyclists aren't legally supposed to ride on the sidewalk because it's extremely dangerous--bicycle-pedestrian collisions aren't uncommon and are often fatal.
On the other hand, cars aren't supposed to pass cyclists within 3 feet (it's a ticketable offense and gets you a fine and points), but they like to buzz close, which can disorient the cyclist trying to hold a perfectly straight line, or force them to ride over road hazards which may result in measurable loss of control. Cyclists have right-of-way on the road, and so at a stop sign they get a turn in sequence same as a car or a motorcycle (though they don't get priority as an emergency vehicle), but of course a lot of drivers like to pull out when they see a cyclist waiting and occasionally this leads to confusion or collision. Pedestrians see a bicycle coming down the street and cross the road in front of it; they wait for cars to pass but ignore bicycles, which can't stop from 30mph nearly as fast (20mph is more normal but I've been at 30 and downhill can get you going 35-45, though bicycles should not exceed the speed limit).
By following proper lane control and traffic flow rules, bicycles pose no more of a hazard than a slow moving vehicle. Usually in city streets this is a 25-30mph street and a 15-20mph bicycle. Maybe more driver's education is needed to teach cyclists to follow traffic law? Maybe cops should start ticketing cyclists for running stop signs and red lights, and for driving down the wrong side of the road or the wrong way down a one way street? That's probably a good idea.

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Re:Android is a toy by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-11 03:31 · Score: 1

Have you used it for a phone call yet?
Wait - this thing makes phone calls???

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An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:Android is a toy by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-11 05:05 · Score: 0

I use my Droid X to troubleshoot issues with wireless networks, do a bit of mitm experimentation, keep track of website analytics, study various religious text, tune my guitar, chat via IRC, control my home theater system, send WoL packets, monitor police and emergency radios, test various media codecs/protocols, play and record electronic music, manage my business calendar/contacts/transactions...
Oh, and of course, listen to Pandora whilst playing Nethack (most important use EVAR)!
I'm calling BS. Through several different units, I have never had a Droid X with a wireless chipset that worked 100% (or really at all, save for one). Plus the software is crap, so I have actually gotten better performance with MIUI v4.
But all that aside, i want to use it for something serious, if only the hardware and software would stop getting in the way

Cost too much by na1led · 2012-09-10 06:39 · Score: 2, Insightful

Seriously, why would anyone pay $150 for this cheap thing when you can get much better. I'd rather pay $150 for the kindle fire, or even the nook. Unless this tablet is childproof from breaking, its not going to sell.

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-- By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.

Re:Cost too much by SomePgmr · 2012-09-10 06:46 · Score: 5, Informative

The article says it comes in a "drop-proof bumper" and is preloaded with kids stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if it uses its own, curated, kid-safe market with some protection against inappropriate material or apps that include unguarded in-app purchasing.
Re:Cost too much by idontgno · 2012-09-10 06:50 · Score: 5, Informative

Unless this tablet is childproof from breaking, its not going to sell.
You didn't read TFA. That's OK, this is Slashdot; it would have been weird if you had.
Yeah. It is, to some extent, childproofed. Its edge is a shock-absorbent soft-plastic bumper, so odds are somewhat better that if a kid drops it on the sidewalk, it won't shatter into a dozen pieces.
I couldn't see any other obvious signs of child-proofing (which would require engineering beyond even military ruggedization), but at least that obvious contingency is covered.

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Re:Cost too much by Nadaka · 2012-09-10 06:56 · Score: 1

The most important question is: does it have a fart app?
I know that is the first thing that most kids want to play with on a tablet/smartphone is the fart app.
Re:Cost too much by gstoddart · 2012-09-10 07:02 · Score: 2

I know that is the first thing that most kids want to play with on a tablet/smartphone is the fart app.
And the sheer number of fart apps out there tells me that kids have correctly identified that farts are hilarious!! A friend's sister teaches elementary school, and she assures me that farts are the funniest thing ever.
Though, I must confess, I deleted my fart apps within the first week; but I'm betting a fair few people still use theirs. :-P

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Re:Cost too much by Sulphur · 2012-09-10 07:03 · Score: 1

The most important question is: does it have a fart app?
I know that is the first thing that most kids want to play with on a tablet/smartphone is the fart app.
That's my theme you insensitive clod.
Re:Cost too much by Zemran · 2012-09-10 07:12 · Score: 1

I would much rather have a Samsung Tab if I wanted a tablet but I am not a child, so I am not in the target audience group. It is designed for children and it looks like it suits that group.

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Re:Cost too much by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 07:19 · Score: 0

I couldn't see any other obvious signs of child-proofing (which would require engineering beyond even military ruggedization)
The military internet use is under parental control?
Re:Cost too much by lister+king+of+smeg · 2012-09-10 07:28 · Score: 1

The fart app I great but I perfer the police siren app when your a passangger and you pass a cop you can have lots of fun.

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Re:Cost too much by Em+Adespoton · 2012-09-10 07:31 · Score: 2

I couldn't see any other obvious signs of child-proofing (which would require engineering beyond even military ruggedization)
The military internet use is under parental control?
Yes; Uncle Sam knows best.
That's why military personnell tend to set up alternative networks outside of milnet; that way they don't have the strict controls over what goes in/out.
Re:Cost too much by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 08:16 · Score: 0

It'll sell 'cause grandma thinks little one needs/wants it.
Re:Cost too much by na1led · 2012-09-10 08:18 · Score: 1

Slapping a cheap rubber bumper is not what I call Child Proof, heck I can do that to any tablet.

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-- By all means let's be open-minded, but not so open-minded that our brains drop out.
Re:Cost too much by idontgno · 2012-09-10 08:53 · Score: 1

Well, sure. Knowing my 6-year-olds, they'd remove the bumper* and then drop the tablet on the sidewalk. They're just that talented.
But that's the marketing spin.
Like I said, if they were serious about kid-proofing, they'd ruggedize it like a $4,000 DoD job. And charge $4,000 for it. But I guess that market is already taken.
*Knowing my kids, they'd remove the bumper even if it were an integral part of the tablet's case. They're just that stubborn.

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Re:Cost too much by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:15 · Score: 0

Who put's military chips in toys? That's be GIZMO over here!
Re:Cost too much by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:28 · Score: 0

Additionally, there are some parental controls for the in-built browser, and the ability for the parent/whomever to get an email if the kid uses the non-default browser (i.e. Little Johnny is circumventing the controls)
Re:Cost too much by MacGyver2210 · 2012-09-10 09:49 · Score: 1

I spent $10 and have the same 'shock-absorbent soft-plastic bumper' on my Kindle Fire.

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If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits
Re:Cost too much by R3d+M3rcury · 2012-09-10 10:11 · Score: 1

Maybe they Hid it in the toy.
Re:Cost too much by desdinova+216 · 2012-09-10 10:16 · Score: 1

that's strange, I've never even installed one
Re:Cost too much by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 10:55 · Score: 0

The fire is $200. Also the Kindle is produced to be a interface to Amazon. For an adult that consumes content and orders stuff that is find, but not really the best for children. My question is how it deals with web services like netflix, hulu and even the disney games. Of course for many parent it is going to boil down to the parental controls. While the kindle has some, this may be better. What i want to see, and does not seem to be a feature on any parental control panel, is the ability to prevent a child from filling in any form. It seems like an obvious restriction, yet is does not seem to be an available option.
Re:Cost too much by Dan9999 · 2012-09-10 11:25 · Score: 4, Funny

not everyone needs an app for it.
Re:Cost too much by bobjr94 · 2012-09-10 13:46 · Score: 1

But, being an android, a quick download and flash will root (if wanted) or load on the Play store. It probably does home some kid friendly toys-r-us storefront built in but nothing 60 seconds of your time wont fix. Too bad it dosent have Dpads on it, makes it much easier for gaming, I have a tablet with L & R Dpads and a joystick, for games that support hardware controls, it is much better. This of course wont be an Ipad or Kindle killer, but I would expect it to sell quite well.
Re:Cost too much by eyegone · 2012-09-10 14:42 · Score: 3, Insightful

It is designed for children and it looks like it suits that group.
No it isn't. It's designed for children's parents.

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Re:Cost too much by RocketRabbit · 2012-09-10 15:07 · Score: 1

Jerry, you're fired.

This helps Intel... by CajunArson · 2012-09-10 06:40 · Score: 1

You see, now that my desktop is slower than an Android toy tablet, I finally have justification for an upgrade to Haswell next year.

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AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.

Re:This helps Intel... by msauve · 2012-09-10 06:46 · Score: 2

"now that my desktop is slower than an Android toy tablet, I finally have justification for an upgrade to Haswell next year."

... or maybe Hasbro?

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"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law

Sure Toys R Us can provide the iPad killer. by Kenja · 2012-09-10 06:43 · Score: 4, Funny

All they need is for hipster to buy it ironically.

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"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"

Re:Sure Toys R Us can provide the iPad killer. by the_humeister · 2012-09-10 06:55 · Score: 2

Well, why not? Put Cyanogenmod on it once it's been rooted and it'll work as well as any other 7" tablet.
Re:Sure Toys R Us can provide the iPad killer. by M0j0_j0j0 · 2012-09-10 07:35 · Score: 2

What's the point? i think it is a good idea even as is, crash proof and preloaded for kids?! it's great, "here kid have this now fuck off and dont mess with my stuff"
Re:Sure Toys R Us can provide the iPad killer. by idontgno · 2012-09-10 09:08 · Score: 1

GP's comment was about "hipsters" rooting and modding the OS. Unless you have a serious "you hipster kids get off my lawn" problem, that's not what this is about.
But yeah. Reverse-cool-chic might make this low-price low-spec dog appeal to the "too mainstream" crowd, especially if it's technically amenable to romming.

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not an iPad killer by mbaGeek · 2012-09-10 06:47 · Score: 3, Insightful

my first thought is of someone yelling "developers, developers, developers!" (the success of the platform will be directly related to the amount of useful work that can be accomplished using it)

this has the potential to carve out a niche - but has zero chance of "killing" the iPad - i.e. fundamentally different markets...

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Re:not an iPad killer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 06:51 · Score: 0

Agreed. Although, the Kindle Fire OTOH will take a huge bite out of Apple's ass. And we'll see what B&N comes up with next.
Then there's Google with their Nexus. Who knows if they're will be a nexus 10" or larger ....
Apple's days of being THE tablet maker are over.
Re:not an iPad killer by Mr.+Kinky · 2012-09-10 06:53 · Score: 1

(the success of the platform will be directly related to the amount of useful work that can be accomplished using it
You do understand that this is an kids device, right?
Re:not an iPad killer by Darth+Snowshoe · 2012-09-10 06:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

This. Why is "iPad-killer" even a thing? People buy iPads because they want iPads. If you offer them something better, cheaper... they will continue to buy iPads.
Re:not an iPad killer by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-10 07:13 · Score: 2

My first thought was "The Taboo? A kid's toy?!"

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Re:not an iPad killer by mbaGeek · 2012-09-10 07:21 · Score: 1

yup, the "iPad Killer" thing is in response to the writeup
education is big business - and positioning a device for "kids" implies an "education niche", not as a general purpose device that is even pretending to compete with the iPad
FTA: "In a nod to kids, the tablet is protected by a drop-safe bumper. And for their parents, specific controls are available to block objectionable Web sites."
and also: "Do children today really need a kids' tablet?"
I'll admit that I responded to the "iPad killer" bait and that this whole posting probably qualifies as advirtisement for a device without a viable marketing plan ... (but if someone comes up with a killer app for a cheap and durable tablet then they might stumble onto something)

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It ain't what they call you. It's what you answer to. http://mylyceum.us/
Re:not an iPad killer by mbaGeek · 2012-09-10 07:45 · Score: 1, Insightful

you raise an interesting point.
the Apple culture seems to irritate Steve Ballmer, and mystify industry experts. Yes, there is a sizable "Apple fanboy" market (those eagerly waiting to pre-order Apple's next product sight unseen) but that has been built on the fact that Apple has been releasing great products for a long time (but it hasn't ALWAYS been that way - the company went through some lean times once)
Apple is in a position in the tablet market that they once held in the personal computer market (and we all know how that ended).
Is someone really making something better AND cheaper than the iPad? Is the iPad just a $500 status symbol/fashion statement? I'd argue the answer to both question is "no." The iPad is positioned as a productive piece of hardware that happens to be elegant ...
My personal bias: I would like an iPad - but I don't want to pay $500 for one (I love my iPod though) - so I have a Nook color. The Nook color is "nice", only cost me $100, but is just a glorified reading device (although I could watch Netflix with it - which was important in my decision process).

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It ain't what they call you. It's what you answer to. http://mylyceum.us/
Re:not an iPad killer by Riddler+Sensei · 2012-09-10 07:48 · Score: 1

Heh, definitely reminds me of the iPhone4 vs HTC Evo video.
Re:not an iPad killer by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 08:33 · Score: 1

This. Why is "iPad-killer" even a thing?
Because the media has to sell advertising slots on no less than 4 24-hour "news" networks, not to mention innumerable websites and blogs.

Much as it pains me to admit it, money drives our culture, friend, to the bitter end.

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An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:not an iPad killer by MacGyver2210 · 2012-09-10 09:52 · Score: 1

Everytime I think of that 'developers, developers, developers' video I crack up.
But...developers? It's Android. It's open source. Anyone who wants to develop, can develop for it. Without cert and months of acceptance testing by Google.
Success of the platform? It just surpassed iOS as the most used mobile OS. It has already started 'killing' the iPad, and will likely continue to do so unless Apple comes out with something significantly new or innovative to re-spike their sales. I don't think another iteration of the same old shit is going to work this time.

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If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits
Re:not an iPad killer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:52 · Score: 0

How about the new Kindle HD 8.9"?
Re:not an iPad killer by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-11 01:12 · Score: 0

Funny, that's exactly why I think Android will ultimately win the market. Anyone can develop apps out of box on Android. You can't even begin developing for iPad without a Mac.

Stop Trying to be a Killer. by jellomizer · 2012-09-10 06:49 · Score: 5, Insightful

Why do you thinks these products fail. Is because they are trying to kill the competition vs. Find their own niche where the competition fails to thrive.

The iPad is here and it will stay as long as Apple Deems fit. Now that doesn't mean it need to be the only tablet on the block, but apple has left gaps for areas to success.
1. Low End Market (The Kindle Fire area) Low end Tablet, for those who don't need the fancy iPad.
2. Business Market. Businesses really don't care for the iPad closed nature. They need to do their own trusted tweaks to them.
3. High End Market. (Microsoft?) We want a full featured PC but just an optional keyboard.

Android had seemed to stay in the Me Too area. Its success in the phones wasn't as much as the success in the OS but because Apple stuck only on AT&T for too long and people didn't want to switch to AT&T for whatever reason (often good one), the tablets which had less success was because they are less tied to a carrier thus people make a choice. So you have an iPad or something else that is priced the same as an iPad and equal specs... You might as well go with the iPad.
I am NOT saying Android is a bad OS or your tablet or phone is second par to the iPhone. But Apple got the image first, the rest are trying to takes its place in an area where Apple already has that place.

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If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.

Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Dog-Cow · 2012-09-10 06:56 · Score: 4, Informative

2. Business Market. Businesses really don't care for the iPad closed nature. They need to do their own trusted tweaks to them.
I don't think you understand the business market or the iPad. The iPad can be managed centrally. You can control which apps may be installed. You can do remote wipes, and you can install apps outside of the App Store. From a business perspective, there's not all that much to dislike about the iPad. It can't join AD, but then, neither can any other mobile device that isn't a laptop.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Nadaka · 2012-09-10 06:59 · Score: 1, Flamebait

Android is a me too phone?
Tell that the the android phones with physical keyboards, hdmi output, or sd card slots. These are things that the iPhone never did.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by WankersRevenge · 2012-09-10 07:08 · Score: 1

I didn't see any mention in the article of the tablet being an iPad killer. There were iPad links, but informational ones. The iPad killer text was either applied by the submitter or the editor as a poor man's way to drum up controversy.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by ColdWetDog · 2012-09-10 07:09 · Score: 5, Interesting

We're rolling out an EHR (electronic health record). Although the vendor supports iPads and 'hopes' to support Android tablets in the near future, we're not going the iPad route. Not because of administration but precisely because they're too popular. We think it's just going to be too easy to walk off with them.
Yes, you can lock it down so no patient info could be compromised, but the issue is a perception that it's an iPad and therefore desirable / fenceable. We're not in the financial position to be able to supply the town with iPads. I'm hoping that we can get a 7" generic Android tablet that runs the the data entry part of the application.
So, there are other valid reasons for wanting something other than a nice, shiny iPad....

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Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 07:13 · Score: 0

2. Business Market. Businesses really don't care for the iPad closed nature. They need to do their own trusted tweaks to them.

Tell that to my Fortune 50 company that is moving from Blackberry and Android solutions to the iPad and iPhone.

My take on a lot of posts that make claims such as these is that they don't understand the App Store culture and exactly what is and is not allowed and at what price point. There's a lot of uninformed voices in this arena. I don't know if it's just lack of knowledge or outright FUD but either way it makes it easy to point out who's worth listening to and who isn't.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by bluefoxlucid · 2012-09-10 07:15 · Score: 1

I strongly suggest the Google Nexus 7, and perhaps put Cyanogenmod 10 on it depending on your needs. Cyanogenmod 10 is definitely a plus; the question is does it meet HIPPA, or more precisely if it's compromised can you be blamed for using CM10 versus nobody (even Google, they didn't supply this for HIPPA) being blamed for using what came standard?

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Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by sootman · 2012-09-10 07:22 · Score: 1

> Why do you thinks these products fail. Is because
> they are trying to kill the competition vs. Find their
> own niche where the competition fails to thrive.
The company is, in fact, trying to do exactly what you describe: finding a niche that the competition isn't fully addressing. It's the writers who are throwing around the *-killer meme.

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Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by fm6 · 2012-09-10 07:31 · Score: 1

It seems to me that finding a niche market is exactly what this product is about. I'm not sure I've even seen a tablet maker call their product an "iPad killer", though I suppose it might have happened. I've only seen it used in breathless headlines on Slashdot and other tech websites.
Whenever I see a headline of the form "Is X the Y killer?" I wince, because the answer has to be "no." Y is part of the conversation because it dominates some particular market segment. That dominance is not going to disappear suddenly just because somebody introduced a product that may or may not be better than Y, which has the advantage of brand loyalty and awareness, word-of-mouth marketing, and user's reluctance to give up technology that they're used to and/or locked into. If X is a really good product and the people who make know what they're doing, it can maybe hope to steal enough market share to be called a successful product, no more.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-09-10 07:35 · Score: 0

Android is a me too phone?
Tell that the the android phones with physical keyboards, hdmi output, or sd card slots. These are things that the iPhone never did.
In other words: "Our product is like theirs only we added a couple of features."
That's the very definition of a me-too product.

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"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by DerekLyons · 2012-09-10 07:38 · Score: 1, Insightful

You think nobody is going to walk off with an unsecured tablet that's not an iPad? I have a bridge and some land in Florida to sell you.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Nadaka · 2012-09-10 07:47 · Score: 1

Smart phones are general purpose computers in your pocket. Not implementing basic features because someone else also implements them doesn't make you innovative, it makes you idiotic.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-09-10 08:15 · Score: 1

Smart phones are general purpose computers in your pocket.
No, they're not. They're way more like game consoles than PCs. Yes, even on Android.

Not implementing basic features because someone else also implements them doesn't make you innovative, it makes you idiotic.
I don't know when anybody has been called innovative because they didn't replicate a feature. Just adding a data port to a phone doesn't make you innovative. You're still following in the parade and hoping you can somehow edge a little past your competition. That's the trap Google is in right now and it'll continue to plague them until they develop their own vision of what a phone or a tablet should be like.
Android is a me-too product for exactly the reason you said it is not. Sorry.

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"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 08:36 · Score: 3, Insightful

Android is a me too phone?
Tell that the the android phones with physical keyboards, hdmi output, or sd card slots. These are things that the iPhone never did.
In other words: "Our product is like theirs only we added a couple of features."
That's the very definition of a me-too product.
Like when Apple started adding hard drives to their desktops, after everyone else started doing it?

Seriously, though, these fanboi pissing contests, while close to the dumbest shit I've ever encountered, do make for fairly entertaining reading.

--
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by flibbidyfloo · 2012-09-10 08:41 · Score: 1

I don't think you understand the business market or the iPad. The iPad can be managed centrally. You can control which apps may be installed. You can do remote wipes, and you can install apps outside of the App Store. From a business perspective, there's not all that much to dislike about the iPad. It can't join AD, but then, neither can any other mobile device that isn't a laptop.
From a corporate IT perspective the biggest problem with the iPad is the need for yet another third party app and server to provide secure email in an exchange environment.
First we had to install a BES server because everyone had a blackberry. But setup is easy and maintenance is minimal. The fix for literally 90% of the problems we see with blackberries is "pull the battery out for 10 seconds then put it back in".
With iDevices you have to install something like a "Good" server, then install the Good application, and the Good reader application, and then set up new accounts for each device, and constantly take calls from people who forgot their password for the app.
the fix for probably 75% of the problems with the app is "uninstall and reinstall it" which wouldn't be a big deal if the process didn't also require IT to regenerate a provisioning PIN for the user too.
IMO the whole thing is a hack designed to shoe-horn a non-business friendly device into a business environment because the people in charge want their shiny at work as well as at home.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2012-09-10 08:42 · Score: 1

Seriously, though, these fanboi pissing contests, while close to the dumbest shit I've ever encountered, do make for fairly entertaining reading.
I agree.

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"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by jellomizer · 2012-09-10 08:44 · Score: 1

1. Custom App development/Using GNU open source applications.
2. Insuring a lock down of features such as a Camera.
3. Connecting to alternate VPN connections.
the iPad is good for most modern IT infrastructures. However there are a lot of older infrastructures out there that can be done with a PC but now with an iPad.

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If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:10 · Score: 0

Look up what 'me too' means. The morons that modded you up should do the same.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by cdrguru · 2012-09-10 11:53 · Score: 1

Not true at all. I have an Exchange server with a number of iPads and iPhones connected to it with nothing else. This replaced running BES on a virtual server under Windows Server 2008 - because they didn't support the 64 bit server environment.
The Good stuff is an option, but it absolutely isn't required. I believe it allows synchronization of tasks and notes which Exchange Active Sync does not. If you need tasks and notes to be synchronized wirelessly this may be why someone is feeding you this line about needing the Good server stuff.
Contact me through www.infinadyne.com if you need more information.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by flibbidyfloo · 2012-09-10 12:03 · Score: 1

Sorry, Good is already heavily integrated into our environment (unfortunately, not my call). Does the native exchange support include app-level or device level encryption and remote wipe capability? Maybe that's why they wanted it. Who knows what the muckity mucks base their decisions off of. But it's good to know there's better native support than I thought, at least.
Re:Stop Trying to be a Killer. by Eythian · 2012-09-11 20:27 · Score: 1

Could you get a branded cover manufactured that you could glue to the tablet to make it even less attractive to thieves?

Can Toys R Us provide the iPad killer? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 06:50 · Score: 0

"No"

Why not just get a Kindle? by CRCulver · 2012-09-10 06:50 · Score: 4, Interesting

If you want to get something educational for your children, why not just buy the simplest Kindle and load it with books? Sure, you won't have a color screen and flashy games, but for younger children the various electronic features will probably be enough to satisfy their desire to explore. People often overestimate what it takes to keep a child staring at a screen for hours on end. Tthey could actually read something edifying and there wouldn't be quite the same distractions as an Android tablet.

Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by ColdWetDog · 2012-09-10 07:12 · Score: 1

A curated app^Hadvertising store. That's what is going to be the big added feature.
Lots of parents won't have the time nor inclination to lock and iPad or a generic Android pad down. At least that's what they're hoping. And in doing so, they open up the definition of 'customer'. You have both the parent that bought the device AND the advertiser that is buying space in the 'app' store.
Now, if only Apple had thought of that.....

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Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by afidel · 2012-09-10 08:09 · Score: 1

That's why the Kindle HD is offering parental controls =)
In fact it's why I'm seriously considering one for the kids over the Nexus 7, if they make it as easy to implement as the XBOX-360 does then it's a killer feature. I'll of course root it and install the Google Play store for my user, but the kids can have a nice PG-13 experience with game timers.

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Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by rsborg · 2012-09-10 09:44 · Score: 1

If you want to get something educational for your children, why not just buy the simplest Kindle and load it with books? Sure, you won't have a color screen and flashy games, but for younger children the various electronic features will probably be enough to satisfy their desire to explore. People often overestimate what it takes to keep a child staring at a screen for hours on end. Tthey could actually read something edifying and there wouldn't be quite the same distractions as an Android tablet.
Not all kids can read [1]. Furthermore, I just went to my daughter's K-grade parent teacher conference and the teacher plainly said that the iPad can elicit learning that the computer or analog equivalents can not... and the teacher in fact was *not* an iPad fan, she just uses her class iPad (loaded with only educational apps) as a reward for kids who behave properly.
And a generic "tablet" doesn't necessarily win here, either - it needs to be sufficiently non-laggy for Kids to feel it's immersive. False touches and ghost movement are a huge interest-killer for the tykes. Perhaps Android tablets will be there soon. Just not today.
[1] http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/14/tech/gaming-gadgets/ipad-autism/index.html

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Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by HycoWhit · 2012-09-10 20:12 · Score: 1

I'm using a Nabi2 to teach my kid to read and write--working pretty good so far. The Monarch OS used on the Nabi2 works well for the little ones. A quick code--and poof--it is a grown-up's android tablet. As a plus--have a bunch of PBS/NickJr/DisneyJR shows loaded on--makes for some easy entertainment on longer car rides and if we get to enjoying a meal in a restaurant longer than 2year old can take. Oh and you get to teach self control by taking it away....

Kindles are nice--just probably better for a kid in 3rd grade or older.
Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by HycoWhit · 2012-09-10 20:20 · Score: 1

Have a few different tablets. I've got an Asus Android, the wife and iPad--and the kid a Nabi2--all work great. At just shy of 27 months--the kid does a great job navigating any of the tablets (and our phones for that matter..) Basically knows how to get to her apps--open and close, plus of course trace the letters or follow along. I'm thinking laggy interfaces and the like have to do with the generation--the Asus and Nabi2 are both Tegra 3 chipsets and feel much snappier than the wife's iPad 2.
Re:Why not just get a Kindle? by Pigeon451 · 2012-09-11 03:45 · Score: 1

Our 2.5 year old loves our Blackberry tablet. She plays educational games (matching, animals sounds, etc.), and it can be used to watch videos. She also loves books, and we read books to her all the time. She pretends to read the books herself. There's room for both.

I wonder why by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 06:51 · Score: 0

They don't even mention the Nabi tablet http://www.nabitablet.com in the article as an alternative, it seem a very good competitor in thus space to me.

Toys R Us? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 06:53 · Score: 0

What the fuck kind of name is that? Do they mean "We are toys"?

Fucken fagets don't got no grammer. Fagets.

Need to change the name... by daviee · 2012-09-10 06:54 · Score: 1

From TRU's website: "Over 6,000 free downloadable apps available in the Tabeo Store"

Google search for "Tabeo Store" and most results are not kids friendly at all!

As for the tablet itself, it would be quite useful if their app store is already optimized for kids app and their bundled apps are full versions of fun and education apps.

Looks interesting by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 06:55 · Score: 0

Looks interesting. Cheaper than the Classmate PC tablets with Kiddix on them being sold a few years ago.

You're not thinking like Mom by LordNicholas · 2012-09-10 06:57 · Score: 5, Insightful

As a nerd, but also as someone in the mobile games business, I'd say there's definitely potential here. All they need is a big sticker saying "No accidental app purchases!"

Mobile games on an iPad run the risk of Junior buying $500 worth of virtual currency. The same moms who aren't tech-savvy enough to disable that feature are the same ones who'd more than happily spend $150 on a kid-proof Tabeo. There's also a dollar value on the fact that Mom doesn't need to spend any time or energy ensuring Junior doesn't download anything objectionable.

Those are just two examples- there are plenty of others.

Re:You're not thinking like Mom by Em+Adespoton · 2012-09-10 07:39 · Score: 1

There's also a dollar value on the fact that Mom doesn't need to spend any time or energy ensuring Junior doesn't download anything objectionable.
It's got Wifi access and a web browser, and is Flash-capable. So much for not downloading anything objectionable....
Re:You're not thinking like Mom by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 08:40 · Score: 1

There's also a dollar value on the fact that Mom doesn't need to spend any time or energy ensuring Junior doesn't download anything objectionable.
It's got Wifi access and a web browser, and is Flash-capable. So much for not downloading anything objectionable....
Ha, I see it now...

*perusing Little Johnny's browser history*
Hmm, let's see... disney.com, OK, pbskids.org, Fine, hidemyass.com... JOHNNY! GET YOUR LITTLE ASS DOWN HERE!

--
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:You're not thinking like Mom by Em+Adespoton · 2012-09-10 09:18 · Score: 1

Wait... he's not allowed to play "pin the tail on the donkey?"
Re:You're not thinking like Mom by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 09:39 · Score: 1

Wait... he's not allowed to play "pin the tail on the donkey?"
That's no tail... but it most definitely is a donkey!

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An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese

History repeating? by blind+biker · 2012-09-10 06:57 · Score: 1

This whole Android vs. Apple situation reminds me of the beginning of the (Intel) PC vs. Apple Macs. MS DOS was ubiquitous, any manufacturer could use it, and so was Windows 3.1. Sure, they were uglish, but anyone who was ready to pay Microsoft, was free to load them on their PCs, be it workstations or laptops. And while Macs had an early advantage, they pretty soon became a niche player.

It seems like Android is becoming as ubiquitous as DOS+Windows were back in the early to mid 90's.

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"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.

Re:History repeating? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 07:18 · Score: 0

Yeah, I heard the same thing about Microsoft and Linux. Linux was suppose to marginalize MS because of Freedom!!!(tm) and all that. What happened?

Sure, Linux runs on tons of stuff but where there is a real choice people stayed with MS. No one cares about Raspberry Pi or your home router running Linux. Linux was suppose to own the desktop market on ease of use and availability alone. But it never happened, did it?
Re:History repeating? by 0123456 · 2012-09-10 08:20 · Score: 1

Sure, Linux runs on tons of stuff but where there is a real choice people stayed with MS.
Where is there 'a real choice'? Most people don't run Linux because they can't run the Windows-only Happy Kitteh Screen Saver or whatever other Windows program they believe they can't live without.

It's Russian by Kupfernigk · 2012-09-10 07:00 · Score: 2

If you look at their actual logo, the letter in the middle is a backwards R - the Cyrillic symbol for "Ya". It's obviously a Commie plot to destroy American competitiveness by addicting children to made-in-People's Republic of China plastic.

Removes tinfoil hat

On second thoughts, forget that.

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From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."

All well and good... by ilsaloving · 2012-09-10 07:00 · Score: 3, Funny

All well and good, until Tabio dies in a freak accident. Next thing you know, they're building a super-powerful robot made in Tabio's image with Tabio's memories.

Good idea, excessive price point. by Animats · 2012-09-10 07:05 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's a good idea, but $150 is too much. Generic 7 inch tablets are now down to $40-75 on Alibaba. This thing will probably drop below $100 on December 26th.

The future of computing is $79.95 tablets in blister packs at the convenience store. Intel, Microsoft, and Apple are desperately trying to stop this.

Re:Good idea, excessive price point. by Abreu · 2012-09-10 07:43 · Score: 1

I bought a $99 7-inch Archos tablet in Target last time I was in the USA. It was sooo bad, I had to return it the next day. I couldn't even install cyanogenmod in it.

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No sig for the moment.
Re:Good idea, excessive price point. by Cute+Fuzzy+Bunny · 2012-09-10 08:26 · Score: 1

Yep, once I clicked on the article to find out the most crucial aspect of this - the price - I said it was about $50 too much. Considering you can get a $200 used ipad 1 or a $300 refurbished ipad 2, $150 is too much for a second tier chi-tab with a few apps on it. Shoot, over a year ago I bought a $150 android tablet with about the same guts as an ipad 1. I could probably pick that up for $80-90 now.
Kindle Fire's aren't much more than this either, and they have one heck of an ecosystem for free movies/tv shows, apps, music and so forth...especially if you're a Prime member.
Re:Good idea, excessive price point. by sootman · 2012-09-10 13:22 · Score: 1

> The future of computing is $79.95 tablets in
> blister packs at the convenience store.
Yeah, the same way that cheap MP3 players from drugstores totally own the portable music player market. Oh, wait...
There is room in the world for good products. Not coincidentally, Apple is the most valuable company in the world right now because of that.
Furthermore: the dream of ubiquitous computers, so cheap they're practically disposable, goes back quite a ways. 20 years ago, the dream was for something you could carry that was powerful enough to run WordPerfect on. Oh my God, wouldn't that be amazing?!?!?
But the state-of-the-art has advanced. Look at what we expect out of devices today: they should know where we are to within 10 meters with the help of dozens of satellites, what direction we're facing, where we're going, how fast we're moving, show us 360-degree 3D maps derived from satellite imagery, do real-time voice, text, and video communication (at 30fps, naturally) anywhere that we have a wireless network signal, and record and play back high-definition video. (Also, it needs to render Facebook quickly and accurately. Bill Moggridge, God rest his soul, wouldn't've seen that one coming early on.)
By the time today's high-end devices are hanging by a cash register, the new ones--the ones that everyone wants--will have 3D scanners and printers, heart and lung monitors, and God knows what else included. We've already got communicators; next are tricorders and replicators. Possibly transporters. :-)
Hundreds of years ago, people dreamed of indoor plumbing everywhere. And HVAC. And horseless carriages. And motors and power supplies so cheap and plentiful they could be squandered in toys for infants. And food that can be stored for months. And so on. Now we literally walk around with supercomputers in our pockets. 20 years from now there will be a story here about a new computer that's small enough to install in one of your front teeth, not just a molar.
Long story short, Moore's Law will continue to apply, and Apple, Intel, and Microsoft will continue to do just fine.

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Already exists by Lucky75 · 2012-09-10 07:05 · Score: 0

It's called the iPad. Oh wait...

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DNA -- National Dyslexic Association

Re:Already exists by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 12:39 · Score: 0

I bought my girlfriends daughter an Ipod Touch when she was 4 an an Ipad when she was 5 .She uses both proficiently ( to play games, pretty much , and some learning apps when mum forces her to ) A tablet for kids ? How cute - what age are they aiming for ?

Toys(U+042F)us by Penurious+Penguin · 2012-09-10 07:12 · Score: 1

Isn't it

Toys
(U+042F)
us

?

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Forward! -- Emperor Norton, 2012

Re:Toys(U+042F)us by fm6 · 2012-09-10 07:41 · Score: 2

You mean Toys U+1D19 Us. This isn't Soviet Russia yet!
The way Slashdot filters out most non-ASCII characters in posts is lame. It dates back to before they started used UTF8 encoding and long since stopped making sense.
Re:Toys(U+042F)us by Penurious+Penguin · 2012-09-10 08:18 · Score: 1

Thanks for the correction. It was supposed to be funny, but I ended up learning stuff instead. Well, there goes my theory on ToyRus/FSB conspiracies.

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Forward! -- Emperor Norton, 2012
Re:Toys(U+042F)us by fm6 · 2012-09-10 09:24 · Score: 1

Hey, I was trying to be funny too, so there!
Re:Toys(U+042F)us by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 21:16 · Score: 0

OMFG thank you for that submission,and you also won /. today! I am still trying to get my head 'round there exists a Standard for That. OMFG.

This will not kill the ipad... by pswPhD · 2012-09-10 07:13 · Score: 1

...but it was never designed to. It was designed for kids- hence the separate (presumably child friendly) app store, drop safe bumper, parental controils and smaller size than the ipad. Only time will tell whether it will actually sell.

This is a rebranded Archos Child Pad by xybe · 2012-09-10 07:19 · Score: 4, Informative

According to Engadget this is a rebranded Archos Child Pad.

Re:This is a rebranded Archos Child Pad by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 07:35 · Score: 0

It that case, it's really nice to see Archos get a nice contract from ToysBackwardsRUs.

Why Toys R Us? by Dracos · 2012-09-10 07:34 · Score: 1

Why is Toys R Us producing a kid's tablet, instead of LeapFrog or even Amazon?

Drop-Safe Bumper? by fm6 · 2012-09-10 07:36 · Score: 1

I'm multiple decades beyond the target market of this gadget, but being clumsy as hell, I might want to give it a look. Just have to avoid touching the Barney icon!

Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by ilikenwf · 2012-09-10 07:54 · Score: 1

This will need the AOKP/Cyanogenmod treatment, but otherwise it seems like a decent tab for hacking and general use...I mean, there are cheaper/easier alternatives, but these things will get really CHEAP after Christmas.
Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by fm6 · 2012-09-10 08:09 · Score: 1

there are cheaper/easier alternatives,
Like what? This thing is at least $50 less than the leading 7-inch tablets.
Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 08:35 · Score: 0

I'd rather pay $50 more for a nexus tablet, since they're much easier and more open in terms of slapping whatever the current android kernel and version is on it, but if this gets to be $50-75 used on ebay after Christmas, I could see it become popular for hacking...otherwise, unless you need something tough, there's not a huge reason not to spend $50 more.
Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by CanHasDIY · 2012-09-10 08:42 · Score: 1

This will need the AOKP/Cyanogenmod treatment, but otherwise it seems like a decent tab for hacking and general use...I mean, there are cheaper/easier alternatives, but these things will get really CHEAP after Christmas.

hmm...

Render farm?

--
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by drinkypoo · 2012-09-10 23:23 · Score: 1

Dealextreme is littered with 7" tablets for under $100. Check their new stuff category to see whatever they've got most recently, you usually don't have to scroll far unless they just got a new container of crap in. Tablets with 10" IPS displays are now under $200, as well.

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Drop-Safe Bumper? by fm6 · 2012-09-11 02:18 · Score: 1

Already tried the the cheap, no-name tablet market, thank you very much. Not again.

Why can businesses do what users can't? by Comboman · 2012-09-10 07:48 · Score: 1

I don't think you understand the business market or the iPad. The iPad can be managed centrally.

I agree.

You can control which apps may be installed.

Yes.

You can do remote wipes,

Yes.

and you can install apps outside of the App Store.

You can do what now?!? I'm no expert on centrally managed iPads but I'm pretty sure there is no way to install apps that are not in the app store regardless of whether it's centrally managed or not. If what you say is true, why should businesses be allowed to do what ordinary users cannot (without jailbreaking their device and voiding the warranty)?

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Support Right To Repair Legislation.

Re:Why can businesses do what users can't? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 10:27 · Score: 1

https://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/enterprise/
Re:Why can businesses do what users can't? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 11:14 · Score: 0

You can not. My company builds quite a few popular iDevice apps, and without jailbreaking we simply cannot get access to our own apps (from the app store).
Disclaimer: All 200+ of our company iPads are jailbroken, as it's a non-trivial impediment to app development.
Re:Why can businesses do what users can't? by cdrguru · 2012-09-10 11:48 · Score: 2

If a company writes an internal application, you can get a distribution license that allows it to be installed on devices for that company. It is part of the enterprise distribution. You basically need to identify and authorize each device individually, but it isn't that hard a job to do.
Just as a developer you get to install your stuff on 100 devices without doing anything extra. I believe there are few restrictions on the enterprise distribution and that lets you distribute to a lot more than 100 devices. I believe the only restriction is that you cannot put your app on devices without some kind of business relationship. It is intended to prevent bypassing the Apple App Store for generic consumer applications.
Re:Why can businesses do what users can't? by cdrguru · 2012-09-10 11:48 · Score: 1

You are doing it wrong then. It would be much simpler to set up for enterprise distribution and not have the devices jailbroken.
Re:Why can businesses do what users can't? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 17:39 · Score: 1

you can get a distribution license that allows it to be installed on devices for that company.
In the enterprise environment, having to rely on the good grace of a third party for software distribution is unaccepable.
For example, Apple retain the right to revoke the EDL with no prior notice - no one can rely on that.
Furthermore, companies without a DUNS allocation cannot apply. That's every company outside the USA excluded.
Plus the principle of paying each year for the privilege of distributing software to your own devices...

Already other products by microTodd · 2012-09-10 07:54 · Score: 3, Interesting

There's already other products on the market in this space. But I guess this one is interesting because it runs android?

So I'm not a shill, but my kids both have a Leappad. http://www.leapfrog.com/leappad2/ They are very nice...run off 4 AAs for a week or two, and seem pretty indestructible. And its only $100. PRoprietary walled garden, I know, but the apps come either downloadable or via a dedicated SIM-like card. Works well enough for me.

I guess my point is...I don't know what my point is. Maybe the Toysrus one is interesting because its Android? So it can run any android app? But although my kids prefer my iPad I much rather they use a kid-proofed tablet.

--
"You cannot find out which view is the right one by science in the ordinary sense." - C.S. Lewis on Intelligent Design

Re:Already other products by blind+biker · 2012-09-10 11:20 · Score: 1

They are very nice...run off 4 AAs for a week

O RLY
Looking around the site you linked to, one easily finds:

Battery Life Up to 9 hours
Welp, that was easy enough to debunk.
So, let's see: your LeapPad2 costs $100, does not have access to a vast array of applications (it is walled in a very tiny garden), has a 5" screen and to top it all off, it doesn't come with rechargeable batteries.
And you wonder "why this one (the Tabeo) is interesting"? Compared to that LeapPad, even a turd with a touchscreen would be interesting.

--
"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
Re:Already other products by microTodd · 2012-09-10 12:18 · Score: 1

I guess for my kids, 9 hours is a week. HOw many hours do you let your kids play with a tablet every day? maybe 2 hours each on fri, sat, sun, then 1 hour some schooldays, and some schooldays not at all.

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"You cannot find out which view is the right one by science in the ordinary sense." - C.S. Lewis on Intelligent Design

Get them a Raspberry Pi by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 07:56 · Score: 0

That should set their emotional and intellectual development back several years.

Nabi by Ciege · 2012-09-10 08:02 · Score: 1

I got my daughter the Nabi tablet... Has really good specs (for the target audience) and she loves having it. At $199 + squaretrade I'm less touchy about her using it that I am letting her use our tabs or phones...

Re:Nabi by vwbus · 2012-09-10 08:32 · Score: 1

I bought one for my son and I have to say that it is awesome. The bumper has saved if from quite a few spills and if only I could figure out how to get Google Play on it

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Ted Kitch www.tedkitch.com

They'll just poke an eye out. by formfeed · 2012-09-10 08:50 · Score: 1

now that they're not allowed to have rounded corners, I mean.

I know this one by Faffe · 2012-09-10 08:51 · Score: 1

It certainly looks exactly like the Arnova Childpad, which i bought for about $130 a couple of months ago. It is now waiting for burial i the electronics graveyard, since it couldn't take a mild beating by a two year old. The screen has no marks, but is broken. I learned a few things about Android on the way though, since I've only had an iPhone and iPad previously (the Childpad was essentially bought so I could have the iPad to myself). "Tabeo store" means it's not Google certified, and thus will not run the Google Play store, and you won't have access to a lot of thing you'd normally take for granted, like Google maps, youtube, Gmail and the likes. The battery time also sucked, and the viewing angles were less than optimal. I won't be buying any Android devices not marked 'Nexus' in the future.

Re:I know this one by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:07 · Score: 0

You are obviously not a geek. Just flash the rom with ArcTools and you can access Google Play and get all the Google Apps Goodness.
Re:I know this one by dbIII · 2012-09-10 13:47 · Score: 1

Looks like we need Nintendo to come in and design one - I'm convinced that the main mode of failure for the DS is theft.
Re:I know this one by Faffe · 2012-09-11 05:07 · Score: 1

You are obviously not a geek. Just flash the rom with ArcTools and you can access Google Play and get all the Google Apps Goodness.
I did that. I just didn't think it worth the hassle.

Replaces one Wired called the best Android tablet by Freedom+Bug · 2012-09-10 08:54 · Score: 1

Toys'R'us used to carry the Nabi tablet, which has been replaced by the Nabi 2. In its review, Wired said that the Nabi 2 may be the best Android tablet available for anybody. Of course, that distinction has since been lost to the Nexus 7 and others, but it's a very nice tablet. I was wondering why Toys R Us was not carrying the Nabi 2. Now we know.

Archos Child Pad by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:03 · Score: 0

It is an Archos Child Pad which is already heavily discounted below $150.

Competition: Nabi 2 tablet by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 09:13 · Score: 0

There's quite a bit of competition in this market - there's also the Nabi 2 tablet from Fuhu. Quad-core Android Honeycomb device, IIRC 8GB built-in storage, micro SD card slot, 1G RAM, ... My almost-5 year-old daughter loves hers.

Motorola Xoom by Trax3001BBS · 2012-09-10 10:20 · Score: 1

Sigh, not one post could I find that even mentioned the Motorola (Google) Xoom, which I have (WiFi, Jelly Bean).
Which I feel (of course) beats em all.

Yet, I don't tell people I watch NetFlix on my Xoom as it gets blank stares, I just say I use an ipad.

So representation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Xoom

Ben Bova's "Cyberbooks"? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-10 11:27 · Score: 0

Hmm. Sounds like the ending twist of Ben Bova's "Cyberbooks"... Having failed to market cyberbooks to adults, the protagonist sells them to children who eventually become adults...

killer? by pbjones · 2012-09-10 19:44 · Score: 1

it doesn't have a 10" screen, so it fails in that area. It is up against 100's of similar Android devices, so they had better do a lot of support stuff, and it is about 2 years to late. It is a tablet from a toy retailer, I can't see that as an iPad killer. A hammer is an iPad killer!

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There was an unknown error in the submission.

Never mind childproof by cyclomedia · 2012-09-10 21:50 · Score: 1

If you saw the battle scars on my phone and laptop then you'd know that I need one of these. And I'm 36.

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If you don't risk failure you don't risk success.

Bumper is Just One Part of Kid-proofing by pugwashthinker · 2012-09-10 23:50 · Score: 1

I think the draw of these "kids tablets" is that they are designed for use by kids out of the box. The bumper is just the start - the real features for parents are the usage controls. Toys'R'us is also carrying the Kurio Kids Tablet which has controls on the types of apps that can be used and purchased as well as website browsing controls and time-limits on a per-user basis. You can have up to 8 profiles and customize the controls for each one. As a parent of 4 kids ages 3, 5, 7, and 9 that is the type of tablet I want. And as a bonus once the kids are asleep I can just wipe the peanut-butter off the screen and use my own profile.

Andriod for Kids? by gpronger · 2012-09-11 04:58 · Score: 1

So, I'm out to dinner, and my college age daughter notices the table over, with a younger family and a toddler. What's going on, is the parents keep shoving an ipad at the kid so they don't have to be a parent. Maybe a baby sitter didn't show, but a toddler needs interaction with a human not a piece of plastic, glass, and transistors.

Hoorah by dnagirl · 2012-09-17 05:44 · Score: 1

Childproof tablets rock and it'll prep them to embrace future technology - hopefully. You could say it's a semi-sublimnal message.

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Toys R Us Unveils Android Tablet For Kids

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