Hi Folks
I'm looking to buy a tablet for my 3yo daughter for Christmas. My main aim is to give her something that will teach her about the metaphors that we use (pinch,zoom swipe, icons, home screen etc) as preparation for the tablets she'll encounter when she gets to school. I like the Kurio 7 and the Nabi 2 with it's Monarch OS, but it hasn't escaped my notice that for only a little bit more I could get a Nexus 7. Does anyone know of a replacement android OS build/flavor/rom that would give a similar experience the nabi 2 on a nexus 7, or even a cheaper android tablet?
There is a lot to be said for just buying a kid friendly tablet out of the box, rather than hacking around trying to make one out of a regular tablet, but it's worth checking if anyone's been down this route before.
Jim
I too have been looking for something as you have suggested. It would be great to have a ROM like the one on the Kurio put onto my "old" Asus Transformer. If you do come up with anything be sure to share. :good:
jasonmav said:
I too have been looking for something as you have suggested. It would be great to have a ROM like the one on the Kurio put onto my "old" Asus Transformer. If you do come up with anything be sure to share. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest you are better off installing Kid Mode app by Zoodles which functionally is better than the Kurio and Nabi offerings
I'm sure that they're apps that have a "Kid Mode" on the Android PlayStore.
I'd recommend getting the Nexus 7 just because she'd be able to use it for quite some time.
If anything, you can install a custom launcher and tweak everything so it'd be more kid friendly. Load it up with apps that is educational for her, and use parental controls to control what she does.
Related
Hey everyone. I'm a long time android phone user and brand new to the tablet world. I just picked up my first one, a 16GB TouchPad for a decent price. I didn't want to dive into a 5 or 6 hundred dollar tablet right away because, honestly, I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I just wanted one! It appears that there is a pretty stout dev community here and I wanted something I could tinker with. I plan on immediately flashing an android ROM. I know there are bigger and better tablets, but for the price, I couldn't pass it up. Did I make a good/bad decision?
Welcome! Don't worry, you made a great choice. I'm personally running the CherryKang build right now (based on CM9/ICS) and it's great. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the CM9 builds though. I did really like WebOS, but unfortunately the apps are really limiting.
MrWilliams2 said:
Hey everyone. I'm a long time android phone user and brand new to the tablet world. I just picked up my first one, a 16GB TouchPad for a decent price. I didn't want to dive into a 5 or 6 hundred dollar tablet right away because, honestly, I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I just wanted one! It appears that there is a pretty stout dev community here and I wanted something I could tinker with. I plan on immediately flashing an android ROM. I know there are bigger and better tablets, but for the price, I couldn't pass it up. Did I make a good/bad decision?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is it not a great choice?
After installing android you will have TWO operating systems to log into. So you pretty much have anything available for you to use.
Android 4.0 (ICS) runs amazing on this tablet and yet is still in its early stages of development. Much support on this site from various roms. My favorite is Classic Nerd ICS(classicnerd.net). Their forum offers the best and most support in dealing with questions and answers. Their ICS rom is so smooth but the youngest of the ICS builds available since they are building a non CyanogenMod rom.
I am currently using cm9 alpha 2 due to all video features working like Netflix. But I will likely go back to CN when they get everything working.
You cannot go wrong with either. Please visit reverndkjr's YouTube channel for all installation info...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGY4gpsDPD8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Good choice. I love my TP. Just running the stock CM 9 alpha 2 which does most everything I need.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
If you want to tinker with something, HP TOuchpad is the right choice - there are not many devices that can run multiple OSes (WebOS, ICS, Ubuntu), and with such a capable dev community.
Welcome to the community, this device is getting a TON of developer support and for the price they run vs some of the alternatives, it's a great starting tablet. What I thought would merely be a larger phone has become a true tablet in that it's not exactly a phone and not as bulky as my notebook. For most, it probably sits idle on coffee tables or nightstands but for me, it goes in my backpack with everything else and ALWAYS on person. Depending on the phone you have and whether you have a hotspot (broken or legit), having wifi access to this thing makes it so much more useful. Happy Rooting and flashing.
I looked in the general forum and decided that this is a legitimate question. I hope this is alright. I'm not a big poster but I am a big lurker.
I own a G Tablet and it has Beasty on it so I can use all of the factory specs such as camera, etc.
My father-in-law always wants my toys because he can't afford any. Which is fine. He has devoted his life to ministry and I understand he isn't as well off as my wife and I.
That being said, he would really like a tablet. Well, I have the G Tablet and a Kindle Fire. So, this is really about which tablet, if any, do I give him?
Pros and Cons
Kindle
-Easy to use UI
-Can be customized with new ROM
-No camera or additional storage via SD card
-Free Amazon apps, etc.
-Easy to transport
-Can handle with one hand
-Screen can be cleaned easy like phone
-Resell value is still $150 on CL in Charlotte
G Tablet
-Fun toy with everything you need in a tablet (crappy camera)
-Many ROMS and can load anyone rather quickly
-Not that easy to transport
-Kind of heavy (relatively)
-Can probably buy/replace one here or on net for ~$100
-Already have it customized and all apps I need
-Possibly better gaming tablet? (I have a Vita)
-Bigger screen is easier for me (big hands)
-200 invested with folding case, screen protector, and 16Gb SD card
I'm sure I left off some stuff. I appreciate you serious feedback. Try not to bash me too much. I will be visiting my Dad-in-law next Wednesday (8/1).
Thanks in advanced,
Jimmy
Honestly I view the Gtab as a tweaker/modder's tablet and especially with the huge popularity of the Kindle Fire I'd lean towards that. So really it comes down to how tech savvy your in-laws are.
Potimto said:
Honestly I view the Gtab as a tweaker/modder's tablet and especially with the huge popularity of the Kindle Fire I'd lean towards that. So really it comes down to how tech savvy your in-laws are.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this. I think my m-i-l would like a tablet/e-reader, and I just bought a Nexus 7, so I've thought of giving her my GTab, but in the end it would be much better for her to have her own Nexus or Kindle, or basically any tablet that just plain works right out of the box.
I would ask what is he going to do with it? What does he expect out of it? Specifically does he need a full size usb port?
Once you know how he is going to use it, then you can probably make a good decision.
I think you should:
Keep the gtab. Give the kindle.
Kindle is easier to use.
Gtablet has better hw with a learning curve.
I'm with everyone else here, if he's not tech savvy, give him the Kindle.
If he's looking for a toy to tinker with, the G Tablet.
If you don't want to be called in to fix anything anytime something goes wrong, definitely go with the Kindle.
Whatever you do...
Don't jokingly say "We're even, I've got your daughter and you've got my tablet."
It may appear to be funny at the time, but daddies don't like a price being put on their daughters nor do the daughters enjoy thinking themselves worth less than all the stars in the heavens.
I didn't do it myself, but all hell broke lose when my brother joked with the inlaws when he gave his mother in law a car and made that statement.
As the title above states, I'm looking for anyone's recommendations on a 5 inch tablet. I'd prefer it to be running Android 4.0 or later of course, but that isn't necessary. I'm not looking for brand names, not even real support for it either. The only concerns I have is that it comes in around 5 inches (I suppose something even 4.3 would be fine). Also, I'd like to have root access.
I'm trying to get my mother to replace her iPaq which is on it's way out. She refuses to get a Smartphone, because she refuses to get a data plan. For this reason I'm also looking to get something in the cheap range. A front facing camera wouldn't hurt, but isn't needed. I'm just trying to get her to use Skype more often.
So the basics
4.3 to 6" Tablet
Android 4.0 or later preferred
Micro SD slot for documents/pictures/videos
I know what you're going to say, why not the nexus 7 right? Well, it's more than I'd like to spend on something I don't know if I can get her to ever use. Also, she wants something small like her current iPaq that will fit in her pocketbook and not take up a lot of space.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, flames are almost expected. But any help will be appreciated.
Thanks all,
-Finire
Finire said:
As the title above states, I'm looking for anyone's recommendations on a 5 inch tablet. I'd prefer it to be running Android 4.0 or later of course, but that isn't necessary. I'm not looking for brand names, not even real support for it either. The only concerns I have is that it comes in around 5 inches (I suppose something even 4.3 would be fine). Also, I'd like to have root access.
I'm trying to get my mother to replace her iPaq which is on it's way out. She refuses to get a Smartphone, because she refuses to get a data plan. For this reason I'm also looking to get something in the cheap range. A front facing camera wouldn't hurt, but isn't needed. I'm just trying to get her to use Skype more often.
So the basics
4.3 to 6" Tablet
Android 4.0 or later preferred
Micro SD slot for documents/pictures/videos
I know what you're going to say, why not the nexus 7 right? Well, it's more than I'd like to spend on something I don't know if I can get her to ever use. Also, she wants something small like her current iPaq that will fit in her pocketbook and not take up a lot of space.
Comments and suggestions are welcome, flames are almost expected. But any help will be appreciated.
Thanks all,
-Finire
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowadays 5" screens are just considered as Phone or even Phablet (Phone+Tablet). So I don't know whether Tablets of that size is available recently. Sony did a release some time back about a fold-able tablet with 2 screens, but that was a failure in the market and was pretty expensive too. So as you've said Nexus 7 would be a choice as its pretty cheap too the 16GB version, though no MicroSD cards are supported. Galaxy Tab and other Tablets does comes with much higher amount than Nexus 7. Also, I would be totally wrong if 5-6" tablets are available nowadays.
coolsandie said:
Nowadays 5" screens are just considered as Phone or even Phablet (Phone+Tablet). So I don't know whether Tablets of that size is available recently. Sony did a release some time back about a fold-able tablet with 2 screens, but that was a failure in the market and was pretty expensive too. So as you've said Nexus 7 would be a choice as its pretty cheap too the 16GB version, though no MicroSD cards are supported. Galaxy Tab and other Tablets does comes with much higher amount than Nexus 7. Also, I would be totally wrong if 5-6" tablets are available nowadays.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Being that I have been completely unable to sleep tonight... err... last night... due to pain from my car accident.... I did spend several hours searching Google for a possible solution. It turns up that I came around with this...
http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wh...0_Tablet_Upgrade_-_Mini_4.3_Inch_Pocket_Rock/
I'm not completely sure how I feel about it, but for the price, well... I'm not sure I could turn it down. Maybe this can be my mums transition to the smart phone world, without the smart phone itself. The hardware is iffy, but it'll be perfect for her grocery lists and maybe some crossword puzzles.
I'm going to leave this thread open for a while though, in case anyone comes up with some better suggestions before I can order this for my mum. All of my cash at the moment is tied up, and I'll have to wait for the car insurance payout on my now totaled baby... RIP 2009 Ford Focus, I thank you for saving my life.
So I've owned Android phones for years. Droid X, S3, and now the One M8. I even had a brief stint with an Android Tablet, the HP Touchpad after the firesale, but it's been years and I barely used it anyway.
So I'm very new to the Android Tablet world, and I'm looking for input on how to get started.
What are the best tablet-optimized apps? (this is the biggest one I'm looking for)
What are the best tablet-optimized games?
What is the best productivity suite for tablets? (I've asked this in several threads and gotten some good feedback, but I'm always looking for more)
Where is a good place to get ideas for creative homescreen setups for tablets? (I'm one of the crazy people who's really into that)
Any other awesome tablet-specific tips anyone has?
Thanks so much. Can't wait to get this baby!
TenderloinShadow said:
Where is a good place to get ideas for creative homescreen setups for tablets? (I'm one of the crazy people who's really into that)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know the answers to most of your questions since my app use and games tend to be limited to just the few types of games I enjoy these days, but as for homescreens I am sure we will see some awesome homescreen setups in a thread here soon enough. That would be the best place to get ideas I think because it will be from other users of this tablet. I love to customize the homescreen with new designs often too, but I generally stay with a similar feel. Which is minimal icons and widgets on screen, just a handful of shortcuts to launch the most common things, and double tap to get to the app drawer which I organize and filter to only show the specific apps I would ever use and not all the random ones. Here are a couple I did on my Nexus 10 from a couple years back:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36978577#post36978577
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36270187#post36270187
IMO, it should be the other way around. You should buy a tablet for a reason/purpose, not find a reason/purpose to buy a tablet. Otherwise, it'll end up sitting in a drawer just like the previous one.
You say you've used Android phones before. The tablet experience isn't much different besides the bigger screen. The same advantages and disadvantages are present. It's pretty much universally agreed upon that Android is still pretty weak for tablet-optimized apps and games. It all comes down to your preference for screen sizes.
The reason I use a tablet is because sometimes I wish my smartphone had a bigger screen. It's nice to surf the web, watch Youtube, and read e-books. I run the pretty much the same apps on both my Tab S and my Nexus 5.
TenderloinShadow said:
So I've owned Android phones for years. Droid X, S3, and now the One M8. I even had a brief stint with an Android Tablet, the HP Touchpad after the firesale, but it's been years and I barely used it anyway.
So I'm very new to the Android Tablet world, and I'm looking for input on how to get started.
What are the best tablet-optimized apps? (this is the biggest one I'm looking for)
What are the best tablet-optimized games?
What is the best productivity suite for tablets? (I've asked this in several threads and gotten some good feedback, but I'm always looking for more)
Where is a good place to get ideas for creative homescreen setups for tablets? (I'm one of the crazy people who's really into that)
Any other awesome tablet-specific tips anyone has?
Thanks so much. Can't wait to get this baby!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Clash of Clans should work well on Android tablets. It's a game that really needs a bigger screen. If you like city building games, try the new SimCIty buildit game which EA touts as being tablet optimized. Also, i read somewhere that Hearthstone will be release by the end of the year for Android tablets specifically (phone releases won't be available until later).
My two favorite customization apps are Zooper Widget and Nova Launcher. You should give them a try on the tablet. Checkout the XDA forum section for Themer and Zooper to get ideas: http://forum.xda-developers.com/themer
Baconreader on a tablet is great for looking at pr0n. :good:
I set mine up to be a pr0n only account and set the subreddits accordingly.
Open app, pr0n pops out.
TenderloinShadow said:
So I've owned Android phones for years. Droid X, S3, and now the One M8. I even had a brief stint with an Android Tablet, the HP Touchpad after the firesale, but it's been years and I barely used it anyway.
So I'm very new to the Android Tablet world, and I'm looking for input on how to get started.
What are the best tablet-optimized apps? (this is the biggest one I'm looking for)
What are the best tablet-optimized games?
What is the best productivity suite for tablets? (I've asked this in several threads and gotten some good feedback, but I'm always looking for more)
Where is a good place to get ideas for creative homescreen setups for tablets? (I'm one of the crazy people who's really into that)
Any other awesome tablet-specific tips anyone has?
Thanks so much. Can't wait to get this baby!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd definitely recommend using Google Apps (Keep, Drive, Slides, etc.) these sync across your Google account which makes them extremely useful when you use a PC. You could use Microsoft's version of apps of this if that is more your style. I'd get a controller if you're planning on some heavy gaming as well; there are tons of bluetooth ones that work great. I definitely recommend rooted this tablet as there will tons and tons of development for it! Good luck!
Hello everyone, I started looking into a replacement tablet for my original Asus TF101. I really don't use the tablet much so it will be primarily used by my 5 year old son for educational games, reading, etc. The TF101 is 5 years old and even though it stood up to years of abuse my two sons (3y/o and 5y/o) put it through, it still works fine today. It is simply an old Tablet with old hardware and every app just lags even after flash ROM installs.
I want something with good hardware, around $200, screen size around 10", and good dev support. I want to be able to run newest OS, as well as TWRP. Mainly because my sons will definitely break something on the OS level and I want to be able to easily reflash a nandriod copy. Is Nexus 9 my best option? Should I be looking into anything else? I see Galaxy Tabs are prices really well but don't see much support for them.
Thanks for any advice.
You should note that the Nexus 9 is approaching it's 2 year google support mark and Android Nougat will probably be the last version of android for it.
(Although there might be custom roms made for it, after google stops updating.)