Bleg: Technology and Kids
The wife got a Droid Incredible which she likes. It befuddles me because two weeks ago she couldn’t even answer my Droid when it rang and now she can’t live without hers. Kids are really into various games on our phones so I’ve been thinking about getting them an android tablet PC or maybe buying someone’s old phone that they don’t use anymore and using it with the wifi. This android tablet looks OK. Anyone have any experience with either of these plans?
November 4th, 2010 at 10:24 am
My wife could never use my old phone simply because it wasn’t hers so she didn’t even look at it until it was necessary for her to use it, in which case the urgency would frustrate her and she’d give up. Now that we both have droids (A Droid X and a Droid 2) I don’t have to worry about that anymore.
November 4th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Getting a used Android phone for wi-fi only use is a great idea. Just get one that has a 2.2 operating system like your Droid; if possible. I have an original iPhone and use it as a wi-fi only device, works well.
Tablets, from what I have read on the gadgets blogs, you may want to wait until version 3.0 of Android to buy a tablet, coming out early 2011. Version 3 supports higher screen resultions that are better suited for a tablet, among other interface enhancements.
My wife was the same way. She never wanted a smartphone because they are too big. I bought her an iPhone 4 in July, and now she has that phone always near her. The screen keyboard is great because her native language is Portuguese, and switching languages on the fly, makes communicating/typing easy.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
You probably could pick up an iphone cheap. Pop out the SIM and its magically an iPod Touch. That said, if you guys are on android, you should keep it simple and stay there.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Sheesh, I’m so out of it I still carry quarters for the pay phones … when I can find any.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I just read the other day that Google doesn’t recommend the current Android OS for tablets, but of course people are doing it anyway. It works, but it’s the reason for the limited screen sizes.
Like Keith said, the tablet-friendly Android OS is coming out soon. That’s when the tablets should really take off.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
The Archos 7 has an older version of Android on it. I bought my twin 8 year olds a pair of Archos 32s which has Android 2.1, but still does not support the Android MarketPlace. It is very light because it has no metal in the case. I worried about the kids destroying them but they seem to be OK after two months of use. The screen resolution is less sharp than I would prefer and the touch screen is not precise enough for my fingers, but the kids do not seem to have any problems using it.
November 4th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Heard on the Kim Komando show this weekend that the Archos Tablet has it’s own store….and that a large portion of the apps in that store are porn-related. Her advice was that you get what you pay for, and you should wait for Android 3.0.
My day job is as an IT consultant, and I trust what she says FWIW. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is supposed to be the best offering out there today.
Of course, buying an old phone would work (just remember you can still dial 911 with those), but you’d be hard pressed to find a used phone with 2.2 or 2.1 for anything resembling a reasonable price.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
“but you’d be hard pressed to find a used phone with 2.2 or 2.1 for anything resembling a reasonable price”
Most of the used phones should be easily rooted. Then you can install your own 2.2 ROM. I recommend Cyanogen.
November 4th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I’ve always found the 7″ form factor just too small to be usable. Not enough real estate. I’ve found about 10″ about right. Maybe its my old eyes but its hard to read full page stuff in such a small size. Or maybe its because i’m a geek and have too much going on to fit on such a small display.
November 5th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
+1 on waiting for an android tablet – Google has specifically come out and said that the current versions aren’t designed for tablets. Most don’t have access to the android marketplace either.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/archos-7-home-tablet-review/
November 5th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Also, I would wait until Black Friday to buy any electronics.