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Okay, it’s areas like this where Android will always win over iOS, flexibility. Take this VINCI Tab. It’s an Android tablet made for toddlers and I’m sure it’s going to make a lot of people say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Just from the looks of it you can see this tablet was built tough thanks to it’s patented design complete with foam handles and tempered glass, unlike your dainty iPad or Galaxy Tab. This guy is definitely meant to take a beating (the tablet, not the kid).
Where you normally would have to stand over and keep a close eye on your child with your primary tablet, the VINCI has no connection to WiFi or wireless networks of any kind. You won’t have to worry about your little rugrat “accidentally” buying $15 dollar games from the Market, visiting inappropriate websites (hey, kids love the letter “X”) or deleting any media you want to keep safe.
I’m sure you’re already thinking, “That thing must have the worst specs since Augen’s K-Mart tablet.” Well, that’s not entirely the case. The VINCI Tab comes with 7-inch 800×480 touchscreen display, 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, 512MB of RAM and Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Not too shabby for a kids toy. VINCI is also encouraging app developers to help join their efforts and develop age-specific and inspirational games and books.
The VINCI Tab is expected to launch August 10th and here’s where things get a little iffy. The tablet will carry a $480 price tag for the 8GB version and $389 for the 4GB version. I wonder if it comes with an unlocked bootloader…
[Via GizMag]
I would consider one.. if the price was much lower, the complete lack of WiFi is also a huge downside.
You wanted it for yourself…. didn’t you, Radcliffe? ;D
I really kind of did. I’m pretty clumbsy.
toddlers need 1ghz? I’d totally love to get my son something durable he could start using in the near future, but not with this kind of price tag.
I asked my 4 year old if she wanted it and she said she needed to see some benchmarks first. o_O
Kids these days… *smh*
nevermind. i’m dumb, lol.
my grandson loves, apsolutely loves my nookcolor, and our smartphones; and he can totally work them. He would love this- bring down the price and it’s sold!
how do you load apps on it tho? no wifi no 3g.
Most likely some kind of software for your grownup comp and then you side load them.
and yeah, the price is too high for something that is meant to be beaten up.
okay serious question sideloading microsd card? doesn’t that sound a little hazardous i see some eaten microsd cards with that
“DAMNIT, JOHNNY! YOU ATE THE 32GB SD CARD AGAIN?!?!
SHARON! You’re fishing through his poop this time…”
lol
Very good point; I think this thing would need a 3+ rating on it. They may be able to get away with a lower rating if they don’t supply the SD card, but it’s still a danger whether the SD card is provided by them or by you.
Perhaps it is only intended as a means to load new software, movies, music, etc onto the thing, but it would seem as though a simple USB cable would make more sense for that purpose. And on the topic of USB, I see none indicated.
I honestly believe that it is behind a snap in cover that would be extremely difficult for a child to open.
Next month the headlines will be ” Toddler roots & roms Vinci tab”
I had water wings, a bad haircut and sippy cups when I was a toddler. Now fresh out of preschool our kids have stock portfolios to manage?
Right, because that’s what a tablet with no internet connection is to be used for. *eye roll*
Yeah at that price/specs point I’ll just give my kid my transformer when kal el hits shelves. He already plays with it often without any damage and all its in a a neoprene sleeve (really wish otterbox would make something though as I would love it for jobsites even more than for when my kid has it)
Neat idea but poorly executed as far as specs and price are concerned… Not to mention no WiFi, 3g, or even Bluetooth… My kid would be like WTF are you hooking it to your computer every time I want to play a new game.
Agree – The specs are mediocre at best with current standards, but what really kills it is the connectivity (or lack thereof). Why would you create a ~$400 device and not put some type of connectivity into? If you want to allow the connection to be restricted, that’s fine – allow it to be disabled by the parent (either in software or with a hardware switch) – but a device with that price tag and no connectivity is a non-starter.
Funny thing is this comes with Gingerbread pre loaded, and keeps your child happy and smiling. Meanwhile, adults around the world with a branded handset are unhappy, grumpy and crying coz they dont have the latest version of gingerbread on their phone courtesy of their carrier…….the irony! XD
Make this thing cost about a tenth of what it is, and it might sell.
I saw Nook Color’s for $180 the other day, with a decent case I’d say those are a much better idea.
That said, my 9 month old loves my Sensation. Not for any logical reason, but in a lineup of toys, my Sensation is his go to choice. Unfortunately, shortly after picking it up, he tries to eat it, but… baby steps.
Yeah, I agree.
This does look pretty much ideal, but the price is too high. I have a decent case on my Nook Color and I just use an app locker to lock market, settings, etc and I pretty much trust my 2 year old with it.
Shit, I did think of this – like a couple years ago, when all my daughter ever wanted to do was play with our smartphones… They do need to lower the price; even with somewhat good specs, it’s still a limited device. Somebody will do something similar for less than $200 – or even $100.
“This guy is definitely meant to take a beating (the tablet, not the kid).”
I lol’d, is that bad?
Wanted to shout – Want Two, but then checked the price… This won’t sell until it’s in $200 range. Stupid. At the age when all toys are getting cheaper, who’s gonna buy this at such high price?
Dammit. My Galaxy Tab 7 doesn’t even have Gingerbread.
my daughter loves to play kid’s app with my galaxy tab, so i bought an otterbox case for it.
i think otterbox can withstand the drops and bites of a toddler
i hope they used a gorilla glass for its LCD
WTF would a TODDLER need a tablet for?!?!?!?!?!?!
jesus, mary, and joseph, what is this world coming to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My 3 years old niece is a pro on my Atrix, (old) Nexus One and her mom’s iPad.
I lovee the look of amazement when my niece pattern swiped to unlock my Nexus One or type in the Pin Code on my (current) Atrix, lol.
She actually taught her mom how to use her iPad >_>;;;
She whizzes through it like no tomorrow. Open the iPod app, play some songs, go and draw and play her games, then open youtube to watch some shows.
She would definitely not go for the Tab as it doesn’t have wifi.
Thank you Everybody for your comments. Let me clarify: VINCI Tab does not come with microSD card, and indeed it provides connectivity to a PC thru USB cable. Does any of your cheap tabs come with a curriculum for early learning? How do you map your child’s learning curve with games storybooks etc that he/she plays with? VINCI Tab was not created as a tablet. It utilizes Android because it is an open environment and it is very powerful for our products in a pipeline, for example a group of digital blocks so you don’t need to run to every toy store to buy your little one puzzles, blocks and your child can even play social games such as tea party. It is a completely new category of learning system where researches, technology and education meet to offer the BEST tool to our babies, assuming we love our babies more than anything else in the world.
As Android developers, pls help us with your new educational apps and your suggestions and comments to help us to improve and establish a standard for early childhood education. You know when to feed your child solid food and when to potty train. Do you know when to teach your child about emotions and how to check your child developing status? Pls visit http://www.vincigenius.com for more details.