CHICAGO — VTech unveiled three additions to its line of InnoTab kids tablets earlier this month, including its first with access to Android apps.
The company said the InnoTab Max is its fastest Wi-Fi tablet yet. It has a multi-core processor, but the company declined to provide more specific details at this time.
The Max also has access to 200 VTech-selected Android apps, in addition to content via the company’s cartridges and Learning Lodge download site. Pricing for the Android apps wasn’t set at press time, according to a company spokeswoman.
Other features include a 7-inch touchscreen with 1,024 by 600 resolution, 8GB onboard memory that’s expandable up to 32GB via MicroSD card, 180-degree rotating 2-megapixel video camera, MP3 and video player, rechargeable battery, 18 included apps and VTech Kid Connect, a program that allows kids to send text messages, videos and drawings to preselected people.
While Kid Connect used to require a subscription to upgrade to certain features, such as the ability to send videos, VTech will now package it free with the Max and 3S Plus. Existing Kid Connect users received an email notice that they were eligible for a free upgrade.
The InnoTab 3S Plus has much of the same features as the Max, but it only has 4GB of onboard memory and doesn’t provide access to Android apps. It also only comes with 16 included apps. The InnoTab 3 Plus, meanwhile, drops down the included apps to 12 and eliminates Wi-Fi. Both models drop down the screen resolution to 480 by 272.
While the Max features a built-in rechargeable battery, the 3S Plus and the 3 Plus come with rechargeable Power Packs. For the latter model, this is an upgrade over the InnoTab 3 model, which used AA batteries.
According to the spokeswoman, the battery lives for the 3 Plus and 3S Plus will be around nine hours, but battery life for the Max hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The Max will be available in October, while the other two will be available in August. VTech will be phasing out previous versions of its tablets through this year, the company told TWICE. “Until fully sold out, InnoTab 3S will remain in-market, priced at $79.99 (last year it was priced at $99); InnoTab 3 will remain in-market as our most affordable learning tablet option, priced at $49.99 (last year it was priced at $69.99).”
Pricing for the new models wasn’t available.
InnoTabs are geared toward children aged 3 to 9.