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[Q] Advice on cheap tablet for child

My 9-year-old daughter really wants a tablet, and I'm considering getting her one of the ultra cheap ones that's floating around, especially in this cyber-sale week. She doesn't have the best history of caring for her things, so I don't want to spend more than $100 on something she'll likely break sooner than I'd like to know. I recognize this means I'll end up with junk, but I'm trying to filter the junk.
My main concerns are having at least Android 2.1, and the ability to hopefully hack the genuine Market onto it, although I'll settle for the Amazon Appstore. Being able to do all the basic things without being horrific at it would also be very nice.
Does anyone have a specific model they could point to? I'm seeing some Velocity Microsos and Pandigitals on sale, along with some cheap no-names from sites like ahappydeal.com, but I'm trying to make an informed decision.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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DealExtreme.com have a lot of Android items. Just be sure to read the reviews. They may be extremely cheap but there are limitations. I use the website to buy cheap gadgets as gifts for my friends lol. But yea, if you need a simple Android tablet with a certain spec give them a try.

thiencao said:
DealExtreme.com have a lot of Android items. Just be sure to read the reviews. They may be extremely cheap but there are limitations. I use the website to buy cheap gadgets as gifts for my friends lol. But yea, if you need a simple Android tablet with a certain spec give them a try.
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Yeah, I already buy a lot of things from there, but was hoping I might find someone who has more direct experience with a specific model.

I'd run up to Walmart, Staples, Office Max, or Radio Shack and see what they have in regards to e-readers. Velocity Cruz Micro is one I believe is sub $100 one at my local Radio Shack. Find one that you like for the price and then see if your able to load the market, or better yet a custom rom.
When your looking in the less than $100 catagory, that's probably your best bet. They're at least made with some care for the consumer in mind, where as an elcheepo china model isn't.
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RadiantSkies said:
I'd run up to Walmart, Staples, OfficeM
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I've not seen anything there in a price point below the Nook Color you're writing from. Certainly no sub-$100 Android tablets. Or has their inventory changed recently?

Well Fry's, BestBuy or Office Max will probably be your best bet to get the feel. Read some reviews on NewEgg or something xD
Oh my bad sub $100. No go with retail stores. Definitely Ebay or DealExtreme. Hard to imagine local stores selling anything cheaper than that.

thiencao said:
Well Fry's, BestBuy or Office Max will probably be your best bet to get the feel. Read some reviews on NewEgg or something xD
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Fry's is a vague possibility, yes. The other two don't carry tablets that low-end, though. Not by a long shot.

TurboFool said:
I've not seen anything there in a price point below the Nook Color you're writing from. Certainly no sub-$100 Android tablets. Or has their inventory changed recently?
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Sorry, I sent that prematurely. I edited it to what it should have said. Stupid submit button -_-
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RadiantSkies said:
Sorry, I sent that prematurely. I edited it to what it should have said. Stupid submit button -_-
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App
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Ah, thanks for the clarification!
Yes, I was looking at the Velocity Cruz units that were on sale on 1SaleADay today, but as I dug into reviews I wasn't liking what I saw. Some really odd limitations and compatibility issues that concerned me. Left me thinking they'd be no less of a frustration than the Chinese ones from the descriptions. Might not be accurate, but that's why I was hoping for people with some real-world experience who did some of the hacking themselves.

Well, I can't help you there, but I can tell you with these cheep units that your experience will almost be gauranteed to be a crapshoot. It might work for me, it might work for you, it might not. I'll dig around the net and see what I can find for you though. I'll report back in the morning, I gotta get some rest for the night.
Sent from my NookColor using XDA Premium App

Really appreciate the assistance. I've done some research of my own, too. I'd love to get her something really good, but I just know for a fact that if I do I'll get a call a week after Christmas that she left it out in the snow, or her dog chewed it up, or something. But I also don't want to get something that will frustrate her enough to CAUSE that.

Wasn't there a £30 7" tablet floating around eBay with a capacitive touch screen running 2.1 Eclair? I'm sure somebody mentioned it on these forums a while back and a few members bought one for family members, might be worth a look there.
Good luck finding one.

Well, most of what I'm finding is Chinese ones that break the hundred dollar mark after shipping and what not. The ones that stay below that either turn to vaporware or are ungodly aweful.
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Ah I see, sorry I can't help you any more, I'm not really into tablets and stuff so whatever knowledge I have of the tablet market is very limited. Goodluck finding one, might be worth a look in a few second-hand shops and get a decent used one? My local CEX and Cash Generators etc sell HTC Flyers, Blackbery Playbook and iPads fairly cheap.

Might want to take a look at the amiga tablet ...
amiga.com/shop/?prod_id=4

Lol with 9 years me and my brother had only transistors that my dads friend brouht from war.an im 14 now,and i worked my way to the xperia x8.dont just buy it for her,let her earn it so she could appreciate stuff.
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RadiantSkies said:
Well, most of what I'm finding is Chinese ones that break the hundred dollar mark after shipping and what not. The ones that stay below that either turn to vaporware or are ungodly aweful.
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While I agree, which was my concern, if I go above that point it's both prohibitively expensive and a really stupid move on my part. I know her well enough to be shocked if this thing survives more than six months. If it does, then I can consider putting real money toward a good one for her. But this is basically a test run both of her responsibility and of how into it she really is.
CurtisAndroid5 said:
Ah I see, sorry I can't help you any more, I'm not really into tablets and stuff so whatever knowledge I have of the tablet market is very limited. Goodluck finding one, might be worth a look in a few second-hand shops and get a decent used one? My local CEX and Cash Generators etc sell HTC Flyers, Blackbery Playbook and iPads fairly cheap.
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Yeah, not terrible ideas, but still unlikely to be in the price range I want even then.
curreyr said:
Might want to take a look at the amiga tablet ...
amiga.com/shop/?prod_id=4
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Okay, now THAT's intriguing. I feel like there's got to be a serious catch, but it's intriguing. Might still be a shade too much to spend on her, but it's a starting point. Thank you.
DeHuMaNiZeD said:
Lol with 9 years me and my brother had only transistors that my dads friend brouht from war.an im 14 now,and i worked my way to the xperia x8.dont just buy it for her,let her earn it so she could appreciate stuff.
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You do understand the concept of a Christmas gift, yes?

Be very careful with cheap tablets. They are all extremely weak. Ugly performance, ugly screen. Your kid will hate android having this as first toy.
It is for kid. Buy used older device but good mark

TurboFool said:
You do understand the concept of a Christmas gift, yes?
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Yes.but a tablet for chrismas?ok i guess.if you are american.
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Count Me In! Now Just Let Me Pre-Order

I am pretty excited about the Surface. So much so that I just sold my fun (but still not business useful) ASUS Transformer Prime with the keyboard dock for $475. Not a bad resale price. Now, to wait and wait and wait for the Surface prices and preorder.
My plan is to get an RT version for my "tablet" needs and then an Ultrabook with touchscreen or good touchpad with PRO on it when it is released. Also going to try Windows Phone 8 and leave Android (still like Droid) behind.
Does anyone expect it to be any day now on the prices/pre-order news?

I'm trying to sell mine for that price. Where'd you fetch that?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium

Sold it on Amazon...went in less than 24 hours. Now that money is waiting to be traded for a Surface. I wish more info would come out about if we can pre-order and where we can buy online. All I know is it goes on sale in Microsoft Stores (and pop up holiday stores) Midnight on the 26th. I am nowhere near one so I want pre-order info!

Thanks for the info! I just listed mine on amazon as well! Looking forward to some windows surface to compliment my zune collection!
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redthunda69 said:
Thanks for the info! I just listed mine on amazon as well! Looking forward to some windows surface to compliment my zune collection!
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You are right...it was about $450.00 which is still good after shipping (which is far more expensive then the credit they give you.) I always ship with insurance too.

garak0410 said:
You are right...it was about $450.00 which is still good after shipping (which is far more expensive then the credit they give you.) I always ship with insurance too.
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Oh and the minute you hear any pre-order announcement or prices, post it here.

garak0410 said:
Oh and the minute you hear any pre-order announcement or prices, post it here.
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I'll try to do that and send you a PM if I see anything!

I saw this today...they are expecting a $399.99 OPP. I assume that will be for 32 gig and I want 64, so I am expecting that to be $499.99.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410766,00.asp

i need a laptop but i also want a tablet and Surface is just so beautiful...can't wait!

garak0410 said:
I saw this today...they are expecting a $399.99 OPP. I assume that will be for 32 gig and I want 64, so I am expecting that to be $499.99.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410766,00.asp
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You never know. MS is known for lowering the price of their products to gain customer base earlier on. They might do that with the surface since they can handle a small loss. They did it with the xbox and now look how many people bought and play the 360.

Yeah it's weird you can't pre-order online or anything anywhere, not sure what MS is thinking about

They wouldn't want you to go to their store to preorder?

[BOUNTY]Help bring UltimaROM to the Galaxy S4!

Hey guys! Renowned developer Kryten2k35 who has developed the extremely awesome UltimaROM for the i9300 would now like to develop it for the S4 as well (as per a lot of requests), starting with the i9505, but he currently cannot afford one. Many of you are from the S3 forum and possibly even used UltimaROM on your devices. If you donate, post your names here and I'll add them to the list below.
Would you like to see it on the S4? Then, please donate a few coins of your currency and help Kryten reach his goal of £425! Every amount counts and is well received!
Pledgie URL: http://pledgie.com/campaigns/20358
List of donators!
Theshawty - £30
Anonymous person - £15
Anonymous person - £15
kingzain900 - £10
ROMHut - £10
Anonymous person - £10
terzo33 - £5
Anonymous person - £5
Anonymous person - £5
Anonymous person - £5
Thank you for your time, and possible donation! You are awesome!

Bump.

If people just knew how awesome this rom is!

Yeah.
Any donation counts and he'd (and the ones wanting this godly rom on their i9505's) be extremely happy. College fees are killing him currently.

Any chance of him getting it to the 9500? I can donate a few bucks if he can do it...

tclocki said:
Any chance of him getting it to the 9500? I can donate a few bucks if he can do it...
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Yeah but only after he gets an i9505. He is heavily reliant on LTE.

Bump! Come on people.

Why doesn't he buy it from Revo-Digital? That's where I got mine from. Arrived in 2 days. Good customer service. £423 at the moment for the i9505 with one year warranty.
http://www.revo-digital.com/samsung...-mobile-phone-white-frost-black-mist-772.html
(I know link says i9500 but its actually the i9505)

There's still the issue of lacking funds, hence why he started a pledgie. ^^
Looks like his UltimaROM users doesn't like it that much.

Theshawty said:
There's still the issue of lacking funds, hence why he started a pledgie. ^^
Looks like his UltimaROM users doesn't like it that much.
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Never used UltimaROM, but I checked it out so it looks cool. But if the pledge is lowered to 425, makes more sense no? That's more than a 100 quid cheaper!

kingzain900 said:
Never used UltimaROM, but I checked it out so it looks cool. But if the pledge is lowered to 425, makes more sense no? That's more than a 100 quid cheaper!
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He's lowered it to £450 now.

Theshawty said:
He's lowered it to £450 now.
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Donated. Also, change the OP to reflect the new amount before people get scared off :silly:
Hope this comes to fruition.

kingzain900 said:
Donated. Also, change the OP to reflect the new amount before people get scared off :silly:
Hope this comes to fruition.
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Ok, changed it. You donated £20, yes? Pledgie doesn't seem to show who donated what, or I'm too stupid to find it.

Theshawty said:
Ok, changed it. You donated £20, yes? Pledgie doesn't seem to show who donated what, or I'm too stupid to find it.
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Na, im not rich yet :silly:
Gave 10. More next week once I get my salary :fingers-crossed:

kingzain900 said:
Na, im not rich yet :silly:
Gave 10. More next week once I get my salary :fingers-crossed:
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Hey, anything counts.

Oh thanks for this guys
It would be my pleasure to start developing for the SGS4.
Also, the amount was the cost at the Three retail store... Shawty showed me a reputable place doing it much cheaper If I can find cheaper (new) I'll lower it as much as possible for that, since I want to pay as little as possible anyway
I may be able to get it slightly cheaper as well once my friend returns from holiday, as he works a electronics retail site and could cut a few corners to get me a low price.
EDIT:
Free delivery on that website I can lower it more!

What version will you get?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

thekoRngear said:
What version will you get?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
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He will get the i9505 first because of the LTE and he will get the i9500 as well but only if he gets that many donations.
Currently, though, there is not much that speaks for the i9500. No aosp support and is very unlikely to ever get it, poorly-implemented big.LITTLE technology, exynos. "But it has eight cores!" So f****** what?

Kryten2k35 said:
Oh thanks for this guys
It would be my pleasure to start developing for the SGS4.
Also, the amount was the cost at the Three retail store... Shawty showed me a reputable place doing it much cheaper If I can find cheaper (new) I'll lower it as much as possible for that, since I want to pay as little as possible anyway
I may be able to get it slightly cheaper as well once my friend returns from holiday, as he works a electronics retail site and could cut a few corners to get me a low price.
EDIT:
Free delivery on that website I can lower it more!
Click to expand...
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From where?

The same site you linked to I had £450 up because I know Pledgie take 3% and I was accounting for delivery, but then I realised 3% of that is about £15 and the delivery is free, so I changed it to £425

KREYOS Smartwatch on Indiegogo

Hey guys,
I saw this smartwatch on Indiegogo the other day and I think it's pretty sweet.
http://igg.me/at/kreyos/x/2722203
Looking at the specs sheet alone its definitely something.
What do you guys think? Get it or wait till more is out?

I actually kinda like it, my only real bug with it is the proprietary watch band
I have a black pebble that I use with my s4 constantly and I'm loving it
I'd like my pebble to be more interactive and seem a little more durable
the pebble is built tough but this seems indestructible
if it's really as tough as the indiegogo post makes it out to be I feel like it'll be the only smartwatch to really compete with pebble
although sonys smartwatch 2 is gonna be totally spec'd out soon . .and apple's *supposedly . . and google's *supposedly

I went in on the Agent Kickstarter. I really like the way those guys are approaching their product.

I think the sony one would be nice. But, what about price point? I have a feeling it's gonna be a lot more than $129.
Apple's? nah. I doubt Google's going for a watch. They're probably only interested in Google Glass.
Oh I definitely saw the Agent watch. That is twice the price of any smartwatch. And I'm afraid by the time they finally made that watch, there'll be many others with the same capabilities and cheaper.

I finally went ahead and pledged for the Kreyos. In my opinion it's worth the $130 price tag it has right now. Plus it can do more and looks future proof. I have been eyeing the pebble and almost pledged for the agent but then i didnt like the fact that it only charges wireslessly.
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jax5ter said:
I finally went ahead and pledged for the Kreyos. In my opinion it's worth the $130 price tag it has right now. Plus it can do more and looks future proof. I have been eyeing the pebble and almost pledged for the agent but then i didnt like the fact that it only charges wireslessly.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
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Nice! I'm still torn but I guess I've got about two weeks to think about it before I pull the trigger.

juinny said:
Nice! I'm still torn but I guess I've got about two weeks to think about it before I pull the trigger.
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If you do pull the trigger please let me know I can share with you my personal invite link since they have a referral program for existing backers
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Hey guys... I'm curious...

I'm currently on a Galaxy S4 Active i537... locked down... does anyone know where I might be able to buy a Nexus 5 off of someone for cheap? I'm in high school so money is an issue for me, so I apologize. I'm looking for a good phone I can load Kali on, as well as full freedom with the bootloader! Thanks in advance!

OctopusRift said:
I'm currently on a Galaxy S4 Active i537... locked down... does anyone know where I might be able to buy a Nexus 5 off of someone for cheap? I'm in high school so money is an issue for me, so I apologize. I'm looking for a good phone I can load Kali on, as well as full freedom with the bootloader! Thanks in advance!
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Pretty sure XDA doesn't really allow these sort of threads/posts regarding where/who to buy things from, with the exception of linking to Swappa, the recommended site.
Other than Swappa, you will probably find many results for buying new or used if you put it into a search engine and look around.

Get a part time job after school and/or during the weekends

dicecuber said:
Get a part time job after school and/or during the weekends
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Lol.... Get him used to the 60 hour work weeks early eh!:good:

AndrasLOHF said:
Lol.... Get him used to the 60 hour work weeks early eh!:good:
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Haha yes! But honestly working from high school looks great on a resume. Something I should've started when I was a teen. The skills you learn and being independent are awesome.

The S4 may sell for just enough. You probably could sell it and buy a used N5 cheap enough.
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