Holiday Pick: VTech InnoTab Review

Technology is getting crazy advanced with adults touching the screen of their tablets,  phones that are faster than ever and reading on their Kindles.  But it doesn’t stop at products for adults, because there is now a learning App Tablet for kids, the VTech Innotab available for boys in blue and girls in pink.

The VTech Innotab is an educational and fun tablet that children age 4-9 are going to appreciate.  With a large 5″ color touch screen, included pen and activities galore.  Once it arrives, you will need to install 4 AA batteries.  I highly recommend purchasing high quality rechargeable batteries for this, as the screen is large so it takes some juice.  If using regular batteries you will notice they will die quickly.  My daughter can play on this for a few days without having to change the batteries.  I do recommend purchasing the AC/DC adaptor so it can be plugged in.

The InnoTab does arrive with activities such as E-Reader books, games, photos, music, videos, art studio, color and pop and other organizer apps such as a calendar, notes, address book and clock.  Let’s go over a few of the activities.

E-Reader-This is obviously books.  There is only one installed on the InnoTab.  When your child chooses a book, it narrates, has graphics and charming animations to go along with the story.  When it narrates the story it will highlight the words.  Also when it is finished reading out loud, your child can press the words with the pen, and it will read each word pressed individually.  There are also images on the page of the story, that can also be pressed and the graphics move.

Games-There are only two games downloaded once you bring this home, so you’ll need to download more.  I will get into more details about this in a moment.  The pinball game is a letter game where children can tilt the device to get the ball to the letter.  There is also a Penguin game where you move ice, break snowballs so the Penguin can make his way out.  I would like to see better games installed from InnoTab but they are kind to give free coins(again I’ll analyze in a moment.)

Color & Pop-This is a virtual coloring book where children can color.  Zoe has really enjoyed this as she can choose which page she would like to color(8 included) and scroll through a multitude of colors. There is background music on the page being colored, but it can be turned off(nice when traveling.)  But the cool part is when your finished coloring.  You can make your picture come to life!  With a push of a button, and a  tilt of the tablet the picture looks like it is in motion.  We admire this app as children can make their picture look different every time.

Art Studio-Children select an activity to play either with a photo page or an activity page.  Pages are solid color, patterned, dot to dot, a maze, tic-tac-toe and a few others.  In the studio you can choose colored pencils to draw or color, paint brushes, markers with designs, stickers, toys, and there is also an eraser.

You can download educational apps for children easily.  Just connect the InnoTab to the computer with the included USB, download the learning lodge navigator and explore.  This is where you can download videos(MJPEG format), music and photos if you wish from files on your computer.  Children can use this just like a MP3 player, which is neat.  If you have a Kidizoom Camera, any photo/video captured with that can be saved and viewed on the InnoTab.  In the Learning Lodge Navigator you can view how many V.Coins your child has  earned-VTech also gives you 4 free coins to get you started on downloading apps, E-Reader books etc.  when you register your product. Very kind of them!  Just browse around the download center, and choose whichever you would like.  You can browse all or by age group.  If you do not have any V. Coins to be redeemed books and games can be purchased for $2.99.  You do need an SD card to get the apps you choose onto the InnoTab though so make sure if you are buying this as a gift you include an SD card for the child.  We have a 4GB in ours.  The SD card installs where the batteries are located.  Parents can also purchase software for the InnoTab.  The SD card is not needed for software and there are many character games to choose from for age groups.  They can learn colors, numbers, reading etc depending on the software purchased.  The software is a cartridge which installs in the side of the device.  Games retail for around $24.99.

Also in the Learning Lodge Navigator parents can check their child’s progress with the progress log.  This shows learning achievements such as language development, reading, math, social studies and science and creative & critical thinking as well as what they have played.

We have had this for a few weeks and as a parent I am amazed at everything that can be done with this.  We did have an issue after a week having this where the screen refused to turn on.  VTech had amazing customer service, sent us a return label and a new InnoTab.  I am still not sure what happened but I think we had a malfunctioned device as a new set of batteries did not work in the original InnoTab we had.  Our new device has been running perfectly.  So my thoughts?  A brilliant learning tablet that offers so much for children, is kid-friendly and ideal for the younger crowd.  It is recommended for children 4-9 and I think that age is spot-on.  My nine year old enjoys going on and coloring, but the games are easy for him.

I like the large touch screen and love how you can use it either way.  There is a tilt sensor so children can play this portrait or landscape.  I’ve read many reviews saying the screen doesn’t work well, but I have to disagree on this.  There is no need to push hard on the screen.  If using the pen whether dragging the page, choosing options etc, it works well.  Updating is simple, it is educational and fun.  They never get bored with everything there is to do with the InnoTab.  It seems durable however we have purchased the storage tote as a Christmas gift to keep this protected.  The pen has a pen holder and there is also a stand so it can be stood up on a table.The price is $79.99 however you do need the SD card, I recommended the power adaptor(only $9.99 at VTech) and there is also a car charger which would be essential if traveling.  I think the price is wonderful for everything offered.  Since this is a hot item for the 2011 holiday season, it is sold out or prices have gone up. The VTech InnoTab Learning App Tablet can be purchased at VtechKids.com, Amazon and other retailers nationwide.  The InnoTab Software have children’s favorite characters and retail at $24.99 on VTech however Amazon has them a bit cheaper. To learn more about the InnoTab visit VTechKids for detailed information, specs and more.

Disclosure:  Although, we received the VTech InnoTab for review purposes, all opinions are 100% my own.