VTech's update to its children's
tablet adds a rotating camera, a microphone and a raft of kids' apps, games and
content
In the run up to Christmas 2011 the InnoTab
and LeapFrog LeapPad sold out in toy shops across the country as parents
snatched up these most popular new kids’ gadget gifts. Now VTech has updated
its children’s tablet with the InnoTab 2, just weeks after Leapfrog’s new
LeapPad2 hit the shelves. It costs $134, and is available in blue or pink
models.
What's new
The InnoTab 2 improves on the original
InnoTab in several significant ways. The most noticeable change is to the
camera, now a l.3Mp rotating model that lets kids quickly and easily switch
from shooting a self-portrait to a snap of someone or something else - a
popular feature ofVTech’s Kidizoom camera.
Kids can take their own picture, use the
editing suite to add special effects, and then use that photo in various games
and apps.
VTech
InnoTab 2
We love the rotating camera, which feels
robust enough to take a mauling. There’ll likely be a few mistaken pictures of
the user’s face until the child (or parent) gets the hang of it, but it’s a
neat idea that gets around the problem of taking photos of things and yourself.
Kids didn’t really care about the lack of
clarity in images, so this snapper is ample for their needs. Finally, the
InnoTab is a real contender against the LeapPad.
The VTech InnoTab 2 also features a
built-in microphone for enhanced gameplay and video recording. Children love
the multimedia features of these tablets, and it’s what should differentiate a
tablet from other forms of kids’ play.
Nothing’s better for a child’s creative
play learning than a pad of paper and some pens and pencils, and parents are
rightly wary about replacing these with an app for drawing and coloring in. But
apps and games that truly make use of tablet features such as still/video
cameras and microphones offer skills a child is unlikely to get without some
help from kid-friendly technology.
It’s not just educational, of course.
Everything’s wrapped up in fun.The Camera app, for instance, lets you add wacky
effects to pictures by clicking on the Wand icon in the top left corner.
The InnoTab 2 looks much like the first
InnoTab, with a Sin screen, and it’s equipped with a video player, art studio,
tilt sensor for motion gameplay, MP3 music player, e-reader, calendar, friends
list and notes app.
Each
InnoTab 2 can be personalized for up to four users with photo a username and
avatar, a voice greeting and typed greeting
We like the InnoTab 2’s pull-out stand,
which means the tablet doesn’t have to be held by the child all the time.
The InnoTab 2’s internal 2GB memory is up
from the original version’s paltry 128MB, and can be expanded via its built-in
SD card memory reader. While the LeapPad 2 has twice this it lacks this
opportunity to add external memory.
Each InnoTab 2 can be personalized for up
to four users with photo a username and avatar, a voice greeting and typed
greeting.
Games and apps
The new children’s tablet comes with a
software cartridge ‘Read, Play & Create’ featuring three apps: an e-book
‘What’s That Noise’, coloring art app Color & Pop, and augmented
reality-game Alien Rescue.
Also preinstalled: Face Race, a
motion-sensitive tightrope-walking game; and Art Studio, which you receive upon
registering the device.
The
new children’s tablet comes with a software cartridge ‘Read, Play & Create’
featuring three apps: an e-book ‘What’s That Noise’, coloring art app Color
& Pop, and augmented reality-game Alien Rescue
The InnoTab 2 also comes with two free
games tokens. When you install the VTech Learning Lodge Navigator on your
computer you can download two of a large range of games, normally priced around
$5. This is also where you buy, download and transfer apps and games (from 99p)
to your InnoTab.
VTech has launched a range of new InnoTab
software cartridges (sold separately), including Pixar’s latest Brave, Hello
Kitty, Thomas & Friends and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. These cartridges
are priced at $32, and each includes an animated e-book, three learning games
and two creative activities.
Specifications
General
·
Type Handheld
·
Form factor Tablet
Media
·
Media playbackYes
·
AudioMP3
·
Images JPEG
Camera
·
Camera (integrated)Yes
Display
·
Screen size5 inches
·
Screen type LCD (Active, Color, Backlit)
·
Touchscreen Capacitive [finger]
Storage
·
Storage type Internal storage (2 GB, Flash),
Memory card
·
Memory card support SD
Audio
·
SpeakersMono
Connections
·
USB2.0 (USB charging)
Pricing & availability
·
Availability Pre-release
·
Announced (US)June 15, 2012
·
Original price $79.99
Colors
·
White
|
