There are numerous apps and games for mobile devices that are targeted towards children, but never before has there been a tablet that is specifically tailored to younger kids…until now. Take a look at the OLPC XO 3.0. This green bumpy looking tablet is a little thicker and larger than other competitive tablets, but it is fairly light and easy to handle (the bumps provide added grips).
This tablet isn’t as high powered as some other tablets, but it is for children and it is specifically built for low power locations, outdoor use, and has a much lower price tag. Let’s take a look at the overall specs and features of this new child-friendly tablet!
Hardware
Unfortunately the exact measurements aren’t in on the OLPC, however it is just a tad thicker than most tablets but fairly lightweight. It has a rubber back that has raised dots on it – giving it a unique feel and added grip-ability.
On to bottom of the OLPC is a USB and Micro USB port as well as headphone jack and a power jack. With the power jack you can use the regular adapter for it to plug it into the wall/computer, or you can use the various other power sources included (such as the hand crank). The hand crank is somewhat difficult as you have to keep it spinning fairly fast, however it would be useful as I tend to have my electronics die at the most inopportune moments.
The other power source is the solar panel lid that is the alternate lid. The solar panel can be left outside in the sun to charge then plugged into the tablet to power it. No idea yet how long it will take to charge but this is definitely a great solution for kids who are constantly outside and playing!
Display
The OLPC has an 8 inch display with a 1020 x 768 resolution. It has an outdoor readable version as well and the touchscreen is fairly bright despite the lowered cost (a tad sluggish when responding compared to better tablet models).
Software/Performance
There are going to be two separate operating systems for this OLPC tablet. First is an Android version and also a Linux version. It will have 512 MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, and even Marvell Armada PXA618. It is a little slow but that is to be expected since this tablet is a fraction of the price.
Overall
The OLPC tablet is perfect for parents who want to give their children a tablet but don’t want to trust them with something that costs over half a grand. Additionally it has a multitude of power options which make it great for kids on the go. Overall it is a great device but it needs a little more fine tuning. It will be under $200 but hopefully OLPC can make the $100 price on this tablet – if so then this will definitely be an incredibly popular device for 2012.
