Tablets

[pigget74]

What kinds are out there. Just did a search on the kindle fire and basically I think I am deciding against it for my 7 year old. Other than an ipad what else is out there?

 

[mrudman]

What kinds are out there. Just did a search on the kindle fire and basically I think I am deciding against it for my 7 year old. Other than an ipad what else is out there?

What is it that turned you against the Fire for him/her? There's many other 7 inch tablets out there.. but they're all going to have similar features. If it's security/internet you're leary about, Amazon is coming out with parental controls soon.

 

[RitaE]

There are a huge number of Tablets out there.

People could help better if you'd explain what you primarily want the Tablet to do and your budget.

 

[Dizisfun]

I saw the MEEP on QVC and thought about getting it for some of my grandkids for christmas.

 

[pigget74]

There are a huge number of Tablets out there.

People could help better if you'd explain what you primarily want the Tablet to do and your budget.

My son told me this morning he wanted a Kindle Fire for Christmas. When I asked why he wanted one he replied, " I can read on it, play games, and watch movies." He reads on a 4th grade level and loves all the educational sites to play games as well as regular games. This would be for him to use. He also asked for an ipod touch---to do the same thing with, so I thought the tablet would be better.

Thanks for the help

 

[Darcy03231]

My son told me this morning he wanted a Kindle Fire for Christmas. When I asked why he wanted one he replied, " I can read on it, play games, and watch movies." He reads on a 4th grade level and loves all the educational sites to play games as well as regular games. This would be for him to use. He also asked for an ipod touch---to do the same thing with, so I thought the tablet would be better.

Thanks for the help

The ipad mini is rumored to be coming out in October/November with a price tag of about $250.

 

[jrmasm]

My son told me this morning he wanted a Kindle Fire for Christmas. When I asked why he wanted one he replied, " I can read on it, play games, and watch movies." He reads on a 4th grade level and loves all the educational sites to play games as well as regular games. This would be for him to use. He also asked for an ipod touch---to do the same thing with, so I thought the tablet would be better.

Thanks for the help

A Kindle Fire does all that. Why did you rule it out?

 

[pigget74]

A Kindle Fire does all that. Why did you rule it out?

The reviews for the Kindle Fire that I have seen says there are issues with the ads, no charger for wall, parent protection not working at moment, and limited games.

If I am wrong let me know...that is why I posted here. Just trying to figure it all out.

 

[amylevan]

I have the Nook tablet - and its similar to the Kindle Fire. Not sure about the parent protections on it, but it doesn' have ads and has a wall charger. The only games I play are Angry Birds and Cut the Rope - both available on it.

There are a whole slew of "real" tablets though. The Nook tablet and Kindle Fire were built to sell their companies products while the generic brands were not.

 

[jrmasm]

The reviews for the Kindle Fire that I have seen says there are issues with the ads, no charger for wall, parent protection not working at moment, and limited games.

If I am wrong let me know...that is why I posted here. Just trying to figure it all out.

My dd has the original Fire. We have not had any problems. I would agree that there are not as many game aps for the Fire as there are in ITunes but did you check to see if what your son would like to play is available on Amazon? Also make sure if you are considering any non Apple tablet to check ap availability.

 

[RitaE]

The parental control app (KIndle Free Time) is scheduled to be released by the end of the month so if you are wanting it for Christmas it shouldn't be a big deal. That will restrict what content and apps he can get to, as well as give you control over his usage time. Unless Apple steps up to the plate with something soon, it seems far more robust than any other parental control features for tablets that have been offered so far. For a 7 year old you might consider one of the NetNanny type apps that would also restrict what websites he can browse.

The wall charger is no big deal. It comes with the USB connector cord and you just need the wall adapter. If you don't have several lying around the house then you can pick one up cheap all over the place. I think our grocery store has them now.

As for what Apps are available, you don't get access to the full Google Apps Marketplace unless you root the device and install it. But Amazon has an extensive library of Apps and movies and books. I really can't think of anything a young child would want in terms of games that they don't have.

http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b/ref=topnav_storetab_mas?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011

I really can't comment on the ads for the new Kindle HD. I've been told they are not intrusive but I haven't seen one yet to determine if I agree.

You might try comparing the new Kindle with something like the Google Nexus to see what you think of comparable products.

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_7_8gb

There are a host of low cost tablets in the $99 to $150 range. You'll find that most of them are kind of buggy and not as nice but some of them offer things like an SD card slot that the Kindle doesn't.

 

[Granny square]

I've got a fire. Of course it came with a charger. There aren't any ads and I guess I never heard that they made a fire with ads. My sons have the regular kindle with ads which paid for themselves. We also have hp tp, a iPad, a nook tablet and a little droid.

Aside from the iPad I like each for various reasons and would suggest them to anyone.

 

[jrmasm]

I just read some Fire reviews. I have ads on my regular Kindle. They are no big deal. Turn the device on and they go away. Also, the wall charger that's not included is a mini USB charger. I have a least 4 in my house. Maybe you have some as well. If not, I think they're around $10 if you don't.

I'm not going to try to sell you on a kindle but of your listed concerns, I think the only valid one is a possible lack of aps. Check out their store. Maybe they have what you're looking for.

Its hard to beat the price but good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

To be fair... when people discuss a 'lack' of apps... you're talking the difference between 600,000 apps and 400,000 apps. Amazon, B&N, Android, iTunes - whichever app market you have access to on your device - has more apps than you can possibly download to 100 devices.

 

[niffer5150]

lack of apps? just switch the setting to "allow 3rd party apps" on and download whatever you want. i have a fire and so does my kid. my only problem with the fire is that it's only 8gb storage. yes you have a cloud but it's not something you can use unless you're on wifi. it would have been nice to be able to upgrade. both of ours came with chargers and we don't have ads, but we also don't have HD. i have my kiddos wifi password protected so unless she wants to surf where i can see her, she does without and will just have to use it to read, watch a movie, or play games.

 

[kiddisney]

nook's price is what we liked - had the regular nook - then color - and now tablet - b&n does it right

 

[twotoohappy]

I love the kindle fire. If you're an Amazon prime member you get to borrow a book free every month and you get lots of free movies too.

 

[richmond282]

What is it that turned you against the Fire for him/her? There's many other 7 inch tablets out there.. but they're all going to have similar features. If it's security/internet you're leary about, Amazon is coming out with parental controls soon.

The Kindle Fire DOES have parental controls and they work really well actually. My DD8 received a fire for her Bday. She has her own amazon account (which I got a lot of greif for on this site, but whatever.) I didn't want all of my stuff downloaded to her fire and vice versa and I wanted her to be able to have her own account with money in it to work with. It has worked great. I have to enter a password for her to purchase anything even free stuff. I also have to enter a password to turn on the wi-fi and give her internet access.

The reviews for the Kindle Fire that I have seen says there are issues with the ads, no charger for wall, parent protection not working at moment, and limited games.

I have not had any issues with ads on the Fire. I guess some of the app I use have ads but that's b/c I choose to use the free apps. If you pay for an app, the ads go away.

The charger is a USB cable. If you have an USB adapter for a wall plug for any device, it'll work with the Kindle. (I use the one from my camera.)

I have not had any issues finding games I wanted to play either. There are a whole lot to chose from on the amazon market. A lot of free ones too. I have angry birds, fruit ninja, wheres my water, cut the rope, flow, to name a few. I have also downloaded several hundred books for free.

 

[angwill]

I have a kindle fire. I won't repeat what others have but wanted to add the fire uses a mini usb charger. One of my digital cameras uses the same thing as done my LG Virgin Mobile phone. I keep my phone charger plugged in all the time and charge all my devices from it. That also is nice because I can charge the fire in my car with the car charger.

 

[troane522]

I have an ipad. DS16 has the original Fire and DD9 and DS5 will be getting Fire's for Christmas. I think there is confusion on this thread with respect to ad's on the Fire. That is new to the most recent version so those with the original Fire cannot speak to their experience because there are none on the original unless they are within an app. There is also the option to pay an additional fee and turn them off. DD9 already has a regular Kindle with ad's and they are not intrusive at all.