The quality of children’s tablets varies enormously, though, so it pays to know what to look for. Although specifications play a part. it’s important to get a device that can withstand rough handling: kids and fragile technology don’t mix well.
Hardware
One disadvantage of most children’s tablets is that they have screens with poor viewing angles, unlike an iPad or ocher tablet with an IPS screen. Some are better than others, though. Again, check reviews before you buy. Also look for a tablet chat comes with a rubber bumper, as it’s bound to be dropped on a regular basis. The nabi 2 and Kuno 7 include these in the box.
Battery life is important. since you don’t want to end up with a tablet that lasts only a couple of hours before needing to be connected to the mains or a new set of batteries. In the latter case, rechargeable batteries are advisable. Cameras are included on most tablets but not all. If you want a tablet to double as a digital camera and camcorder, look for one with a rear-facing camera. Front-facing cameras are good only for self-portraits and video chat.
Finally, check the ports and controls. Tablets that lack hardware volume buttons are frustrating, and look for an HDMI output it you want to be able to hook the device up to a big-screen TV.
Software
SPECIFICATIONS
7in (1024x768, 169ppi) capacitive multitouch screen; Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich; 1.3GHz nVidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor;1GB RAM, 8GB storage; 802.1 lbFg/n; Bluetooth 3.0; GPS; 2Mp, 720p front camera; 2x stereo speakers; 3.5mm headphone jack; microUSB 2.0; microSD (SDHC compatible); mini-HDMI; non-removable battery; 221x154x29mm; 610g
PROS: Very good web browsing and general performance; safe to leave with children unsupervised; tough, non-toxic build CONS: U S-centric software; poor viewing angles; no access to Google Play VERDICT: Easily the best kids’ tablet we’ve seen, but it needs Anglicising
SPECIFICATIONS
51n screen; 2GB storage; 1.3Mp rotating camera; SD slot; 4x AA batteries; 30x60x280mm; 720g
SPECIFICATIONS
7in (800x480) capacitive multitouch screen; Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich; 1.2GHz Allwinner AlO
single-core processor; Mali 400 graphIcs; 1GB RAM; 4GB storage; microSD; 802.11b/!n; 0.3Mp, 2Mp cameras, 720p video; Mini-USB; Mini HDMI; 3.5mm headphone jack; 195x122x11mm; 352g
SPECIFICATIONS
7in (800x480) capacitive touchscreen; AndroId 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich; 16Hz ARM Cortex AS processor; 4GB storage; microSDHC; 223x142x12.2mm; 380g
Hardware
One disadvantage of most children’s tablets is that they have screens with poor viewing angles, unlike an iPad or ocher tablet with an IPS screen. Some are better than others, though. Again, check reviews before you buy. Also look for a tablet chat comes with a rubber bumper, as it’s bound to be dropped on a regular basis. The nabi 2 and Kuno 7 include these in the box.
Battery life is important. since you don’t want to end up with a tablet that lasts only a couple of hours before needing to be connected to the mains or a new set of batteries. In the latter case, rechargeable batteries are advisable. Cameras are included on most tablets but not all. If you want a tablet to double as a digital camera and camcorder, look for one with a rear-facing camera. Front-facing cameras are good only for self-portraits and video chat.
Finally, check the ports and controls. Tablets that lack hardware volume buttons are frustrating, and look for an HDMI output it you want to be able to hook the device up to a big-screen TV.
Software
Most children’s tablets are based on Android, but don’t provide access to Google’s Play store Typically. you’ll be restricted to the manufacturer’s own store. which may have a limited selection of apps and games, and they’re usually more expensive than similar apps in Googles store.
The software that comes preloaded is also important. since it determines how much play time your child will get from the tablet before you have to start spending more money to keep them entertained. Another thing to look for is a web browser that restricts which sites they can visit and includes other parental controls for limiting their usage.
Parental controls
If you opt for a standard tablet for your child, you should be aware that your kids will be able to access pretty much all the content you might have blocked on a desktop PC or laptopAn easy way to restrict internet access and any other communication is to enable flight mode before you give the device to your child. Savvy kids will easily work out how to disable this, however.
iOS tablets
Apple has added to iOS some parental controls, but they will apply to anyone who uses the iPad. To set up an iPad for your kids to use, tap Settings, General, Restrictions. You’ll have to enter a PIN to enable restrictions.
You can disable certain built-In apps such as Safari, but you can restrict other apps only by their age rating (or disallow access entirely). Similarly, you can restrict films by age.TV shows by those rated Caution and music or podcasts with explicit content. You will also probably want to disable location services for social-networking apps. There are lots of other privacy settings that prevent apps from accessing your data, and you can disable multiplayer games and the adding of
new friends in Game Center. It’s sensible to disable in-app purchases, as well as the ability to install apps.
Android tablets
Google’s Android OS doesn’t have much in the way of parental controls, although its Google Play app store does offer content filtering. Launch Google Play, then press the Menu button and choose Settings. Content filtering. You can allow apps rated for low, medium or high maturity.
Consider the free Kid Mode app. This lets kids play their favourite Android games, read stories and paint pictures, but there’s no way to accidentally buy anything. delete your emails or access another app. We also recommend the parental-control apps from Kaspersky, Norton and the popular Funamo.
LeapPad2 Explorer™
The software that comes preloaded is also important. since it determines how much play time your child will get from the tablet before you have to start spending more money to keep them entertained. Another thing to look for is a web browser that restricts which sites they can visit and includes other parental controls for limiting their usage.
Parental controls
If you opt for a standard tablet for your child, you should be aware that your kids will be able to access pretty much all the content you might have blocked on a desktop PC or laptopAn easy way to restrict internet access and any other communication is to enable flight mode before you give the device to your child. Savvy kids will easily work out how to disable this, however.
iOS tablets
Apple has added to iOS some parental controls, but they will apply to anyone who uses the iPad. To set up an iPad for your kids to use, tap Settings, General, Restrictions. You’ll have to enter a PIN to enable restrictions.
You can disable certain built-In apps such as Safari, but you can restrict other apps only by their age rating (or disallow access entirely). Similarly, you can restrict films by age.TV shows by those rated Caution and music or podcasts with explicit content. You will also probably want to disable location services for social-networking apps. There are lots of other privacy settings that prevent apps from accessing your data, and you can disable multiplayer games and the adding of
new friends in Game Center. It’s sensible to disable in-app purchases, as well as the ability to install apps.
Android tablets
Google’s Android OS doesn’t have much in the way of parental controls, although its Google Play app store does offer content filtering. Launch Google Play, then press the Menu button and choose Settings. Content filtering. You can allow apps rated for low, medium or high maturity.
Consider the free Kid Mode app. This lets kids play their favourite Android games, read stories and paint pictures, but there’s no way to accidentally buy anything. delete your emails or access another app. We also recommend the parental-control apps from Kaspersky, Norton and the popular Funamo.
Price: $99.99 Website: http://www.leapfrog.com
SPECIFICATIONS
Suitable for 3-9 years; 500MHz IF 2000 processor; 4GB storage; 5in (480x272) touchscreen; stylus; 2Mp front- and rear4acing cameras; 4x AA batteries required; up to nine hours claimed battery life; 267x64x292mm;950g
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| LeapPad2 Explorer™ Learning Tablet |
Suitable for 3-9 years; 500MHz IF 2000 processor; 4GB storage; 5in (480x272) touchscreen; stylus; 2Mp front- and rear4acing cameras; 4x AA batteries required; up to nine hours claimed battery life; 267x64x292mm;950g
PROS: Educational benefits; relatively stylish, tough design; 300-plus games and apps; front- and rear-facing cameras CONS: Requires four A batteries; expensive games and apps VERDICT: A proper little tablet with apps and games that can capture a child’s imagination
Nabi 2
Price: $199.99 Website: http://www.nabitablet.com/specs/nabi2
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| Fuhu Nabi 2 |
7in (1024x768, 169ppi) capacitive multitouch screen; Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich; 1.3GHz nVidia Tegra 3 quad-core processor;1GB RAM, 8GB storage; 802.1 lbFg/n; Bluetooth 3.0; GPS; 2Mp, 720p front camera; 2x stereo speakers; 3.5mm headphone jack; microUSB 2.0; microSD (SDHC compatible); mini-HDMI; non-removable battery; 221x154x29mm; 610g
PROS: Very good web browsing and general performance; safe to leave with children unsupervised; tough, non-toxic build CONS: U S-centric software; poor viewing angles; no access to Google Play VERDICT: Easily the best kids’ tablet we’ve seen, but it needs Anglicising
InnoTab 2
Price: $69.99 Website: http://www.vtechkids.com
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| Vtech InnoTab 2 |
51n screen; 2GB storage; 1.3Mp rotating camera; SD slot; 4x AA batteries; 30x60x280mm; 720g
PROS: Rotating camera; microphone; pull-out stand; great range of software available; expandable storage; educational CONS: Not as stylish as Leap Pad; toy-like VERDICT: Destined to be a hit with all kidsunder the age of eight1 and a true rival to the LeapFrog Leap Pad
Kurio 7
Price: $198.94 Website: http://www.kurioworld.com/
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| Kurio 7 |
7in (800x480) capacitive multitouch screen; Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich; 1.2GHz Allwinner AlO
single-core processor; Mali 400 graphIcs; 1GB RAM; 4GB storage; microSD; 802.11b/!n; 0.3Mp, 2Mp cameras, 720p video; Mini-USB; Mini HDMI; 3.5mm headphone jack; 195x122x11mm; 352g
PROS: Decent parental controls; one of the better tablets to leave unsupervised with a child; tough design; user profiles CONS: Slow processor; poor battery life VERDICT: Only the hardware holds back what would otherwise have been a great tablet for all the family
Arnova ChildPad
Price: $169.95 Website: http://www.kurioworld.com/
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| Arnova ChildPad |
7in (800x480) capacitive touchscreen; AndroId 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich; 16Hz ARM Cortex AS processor; 4GB storage; microSDHC; 223x142x12.2mm; 380g
PROS: Parental controls; full Android interface; cheap; capacitive screen CONS: Poor camera and sound quality; naff apps; interface not very child-friendly VERDICT: It looks the part, but a fiddly interface and substandard games means we can’t recommend the Arnova Child Pad