Just bought an Android Tablet.

[Fly]

Off Ebay. Seller reputation looks good.

Specifications:
* 7-inch TFT LCD capacitive touch screen
• 1024 x 600 pixels display resolution
• Android 4.0 operating system
• CPU: A13 1.5GHz
• RAM: DDR III 512MB
• WiFi: 54Mbps 802.11B/G
• Built-in Micro-SD card slot up to 32GB
• Built-in G-Sensor
• Supports external 3G devices.
• Built-in 1.3 megapixels digital camera
• Built-in 4GB memory
• Plays AVI,RM/ RMVB,FLV,MPG4 - 1,MPEG – 2 video format files
• Plays MP3,WMA,AAC,AC3,WAV audio format files
• Picture browsing of JPEG,BMP,GIF,PNG,TIFF format files
• Built-in 5000mAh Li-poly battery

£55 quid 
Brand new. I'm venturing into somewhere I've not been before.
Not totally sure what I've bought ! 

[Old Cruser]

I was thinking of buying my hubby one for Christmas Fly, I take it they can be used for going on the internet --- or not??
Let me know what you think of it.

[Pete]

>> I take it they can be used for going on the internet

Oh yes, in fact, at the rate that tablets are being sold they will overtake laptops/desk top computers in the not so distant future.

If you aren't interested in computers and all the baggage that goes with them, a tablet is an elegant solution - especially for internet browsing.

[Old Cruser]

Pete you may have seen my posts on facebook re my hubby.
I bought him a new mobile last year and he's not that good at techie stuff so has struggled a bit.
I put him on facebook a short while ago and he's slowly getting into it, just thought a tablet would be easier for him to see and use.

[Pete]

>> just thought a tablet would be easier for him to see and use.

It would. From a consumer's point of view they are a much simplified version of a laptop - with none of the "geek speak" associated with computers.

[poppy]

Could one of you techie guys do a bit of "An idiots guide" please?
Pros and Cons of tablet vs Laptop?
I would also really value your opinions / ideas on the idea of using a tablet as a communication aid for children with special needs and limited/ lack of speech. Thanks Guys 

[Fly]

@Poppy
I'll reply more when I have it and have got used to using it.
Not being delivered till later in the week.

[Old Cruser]

Would that be instead of or as well as Makaton Poppy or is it something for the child to play with?

[chesterfieldchris]

POST DELETED AT USER'S REQUEST

[Fly]

I would also really value your opinions / ideas on the idea of using a tablet as a communication aid for children with special needs and limited/ lack of speech. Thanks Guys 

Here's a quick example of a simple program I have just written.



I'm using programming software on my laptop. The screen shot is an emulated Android phone.
The tablet I've ordered has a bigger screen, the layout isn't a problem.

The user simply guesses a number between 1-100.
If they are wrong, the program tells the user if they are too high or low.
Basic simple programming.

Now, add a picture of Spongebob Square Pants onto the background of the screen and you have a child's attention.
I could run off simple little apps like that for an Andriod device all day.

Here's one I programmed for my WindowsMobile Enabled Phone.

[Fly]

And before you ask, do I have a copy of DOND for Windows, yes I have, I wrote it 
My Father Ted Christmas Special version is brill, FEK, DRINK 
No you can't have a copy.
The lawyers at Endemol might still be watching me over Copyright issues.
I daren't give copies of it out. I'm legally bound.
Might bring my lappy to the xmas meet, they can't do me for playing it on my own lappy 


 

[poppy]

Thanks for the input people. Lots of food for thought here.
Hello OC - I'm really thinking of using this with students who aren't able to use Makaton. I wondered about them scrolling throgh pictures as an alternative to eye pointing and/or two switch scanning.
Hi Cc Thanks for the good advice here CC. I may well be getting back to you. I have in mind students who may also use a pre programmed machine to deliver spoken phrases. But sometimes that can be a bit formal and I was looking for something to be used in a more social setting, something that the user and their peers would find "cool", also something that they could use to indicate their choice in something like an activity to do or what meal to choose.
And Fly. Thanks for that but you make it look so easy. I think I may need to get a tablet and have a play. Going to try and get a look at the ones in Tesco. Do you think I could load a series of photos of real things for the student to identify? Say different fruits and then ask them to choose a particular one ie "find the apple" I could start with a choice of two fruits and then add more as they learned the different fruits. (Hope that makes sense)
I suppose I want it to have a dual purpose really, as a way of assessing what they know and as a tool for them to use in social situations.
Am I expecting too much or is that possible?
Sorry for the long ramble, I have a lot to learn!

[Fly]

Do you think I could load a series of photos of real things for the student to identify? Say different fruits and then ask them to choose a particular one ie "find the apple" I could start with a choice of two fruits and then add more as they learned the different fruits. (Hope that makes sense)

I could make a program that does that Poppy, either for Windows or Android.
Windows is easier, I'm already literate in Windows programming.
I've got a little learning curve to negotiate with the Android programming.
Will be a lot easier when I actually have one in my hands.

[poppy]

I could make a program that does that Poppy, either for Windows or Android.
Windows is easier, I'm already literate in Windows programming.
I've got a little learning curve to negotiate with the Android programming.
Will be a lot easier when I actually have one in my hands.

I'm becoming convinced that this could be really useful in an educational setting. Sorry to hassle you Fly when your tablet hasn't arrived yet. I'm thinking that I need to get one myself so that I can show the powers that be the potential they have, and then convince them to invest in a couple.

[Old Cruser]

Could you not buy or obtain some software Poppy, I do know you can get 'touch screens' for pc's instead of the keyboards as I was offered one for one of the children I have looked after.
I have only ever seen the picture screens which the disabled use but presume they are custom made, also have seen the picture books which are used for communication.
Sounds as if you can get some good help on here though - needs to be quite an extensive programme though.