What cuts short this decision making process is actually using the PlayBase. The OS, a modified version of Android 2.3, is a disaster. It in no way functions how one would hope for it to function. On the customized menu screens, while one can certainly move the four or five apps per page up and down, left and right, they can't be moved from one screen to the next except by deleting the apps and then going to the main app screen and creating a shortcut. Doing this though may lead one to having a few blank pages to scroll through on the device's desktop, pages which seemingly cannot be deleted (an email to tech support, the only way to get help via the website, went unanswered). Downloading the Flixster app and trying to stream an UltraViolet movie leads to an error message saying that as the device is rooted (we did not root the device) and so movies won't stream. A full reset of the device did not alleviate this error message. It may be though that streaming an UltraViolet movie would be a disappointment – Netflix streaming certainly sports substandard video quality even if it does work.
Put another, perhaps more simple, way, one of the points of Android, it seems to me, is to provide the end user with more power and choices than one gets with other OSes for tablets and phones. This device, however, completely locks the user out of that ability to customize things. It makes complete sense why a parent would want to lock their young child out of admin-type choices on a device (we've done that with my daughter's iPhone), but to lock out the parents who are setting it up is completely unreasonable.
Beyond that, the display isn't one that works for reading ebooks, it feels very much as though you're reading on a below average computer screen. And, perhaps worst of all, the touchscreen and buttons simply aren't responsive enough. Pulling back the slingshot in Angry Birds is more of a trial than a joy. The speakers are adequate, and the 0.3 megapixel touchscreen is equivalent to the front-facing camera on the iPhone 4, but that doesn't seem to be enough.
Article comments
1 - Dan Barnes
When it comes to tablet PC's, you get what you pay for. In my case, the iPad could be the only choice, but for a younger audience, features such as high resolution and 3G capability won't necessarily be on the checklist - the PlayBase does look like an excellent idea, but one that still requires much improvement.
2 - unknown
awkward
3 - Carolyn
Thank you for your very thorough review. I felt it was very informative.
4 - Liam
Is the tablet aimed at kids or is it great for older people to?
5 - Josh Lasser
It's aimed at kids, but great for no one.