Another tablet enters the fray: AARP's RealPad

[tubemonkey]

AARP RealPad is an unnecessary Android tablet for seniors

The American Association of Retired Persons is now selling a tablet aimed at people over the age of 50 who might not be comfortable just buying any old tablet. The AARP RealPad is a $189 tablet which is about the size of an iPad mini, but which runs Google Android 4.4 with a custom app launcher featuring large icons.

It also comes preloaded with an AARP app, games, tools, and a few other features.

But overall it’s just a normal Android tablet with a custom skin. And you can find plenty of tablets for well under $189.

The AARP RealPad is available for pre-order from Walmart, but I’m not sure you should buy it.

The RealPad’s specs are pretty mediocre. The tablet has a 7.85 inch, 1024 x 768 pixel display, a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z2520 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, and GPS.

[rhadin]

They have a good video pushing it: http://www.aarprealpad.org/video.

I think the idea is solid. Sure it isn't for the techies or even for the younger generation that grew up with computers and video games, but lots of people in my generation and in my parents' generation will welcome this tablet. That it is from AARP will be reassuring. My 85-year-old uncle who has never had a computer and probably has never even touched one outside of what is required to complete a credit card transaction in a store would consider this device, especially because it is from AARP.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by rhadin

That it is from AARP will be reassuring.

And that's the point. If it has AARP slapped on it, it must be good. The problem is, it's overpriced for its specs. In today's market, there's no excuse for a nearly $200 tablet being shipped with a dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 163 ppi display. These are the specs you'd expect to find on a $99 tablet.

Personally, I think AARP is scamming its membership; and I find that unconscionable. A much better tablet for this group would be the Kindle Fire HDX 7". It's $10 cheaper and its specs blow the RealPad out of the water. The Fire HDX will run faster and smoother than the RealPad. Additionally, its display will produce much sharper text for reading; something highly valuable for this age group. On top of all that, it has live 24/7 Mayday support; something the RealPad can't touch with its 24/7 phone support.

There are better options out there. At $189, the RealPad deserves a big thumbs down.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by SCION

Yeah, the Fire comes with the Mayday button for assistance.

That's for in case you fall and break your hip....

[Froide]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

And that's the point. If it has AARP slapped on it, it must be good. The problem is, it's overpriced for its specs. In today's market, there's no excuse for a nearly $200 tablet being shipped with a dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 163 ppi display. These are the specs you'd expect to find on a $99 tablet.

Personally, I think AARP is scamming its membership; and I find that unconscionable. A much better tablet for this group would be the Kindle Fire HDX 7". It's $10 cheaper and its specs blow the RealPad out of the water. The Fire HDX will run faster and smoother than the RealPad. Additionally, its display will produce much sharper text for reading; something highly valuable for this age group. On top of all that, it has live 24/7 Mayday support; something the RealPad can't touch with its 24/7 phone support.

There are better options out there. At $189, the RealPad deserves a big thumbs down.

I appreciate reading others' takes on this. I, too, predict that the halo effect conferred by the two trusted providers (AARP and Intel), combined with their targeted marketing of the product, will attract some people to buy this. But:

• At that price point, if I were to buy one for one of my loved ones, I'd buy a Samsung, an iDevice, or - if they specifically requested it - a Kindle
• There's no way to increase the size of fonts or icons within apps, so maybe a larger device is in order for seniors who are visually challenged
• The seniors I know who are technophiles or technocurious either already have or might prefer an already-established brand of tablet or ereader
• Some of my older loved ones would prefer a device purchased from a store, such as Best Buy, where they could get face-to-face, in-person assistance from competent, patient tech support staff.

[Gotadimple]

Originally Posted by Froide

I appreciate reading others' takes on this. I, too, predict that the halo effect conferred by the two trusted providers (AARP and Intel), combined with their targeted marketing of the product, will attract some people to buy this.

Froide,
You forgot Walmart. AARP, Intel, Walmart - mega marketing.

In reality, Walmart probably has contracted with Intel to produce devices and they are both paying AARP royalties to use it's name and Marketing clout (and the AARP demographic databases).

True, for those comfortable with technology - this tablet isn't anything to get excited about, but, one thing AARP does really well is educate. They are a trusted source of general info on many topics. Many people rely on that, and are grateful for it, in their first step in understanding. The education provided is consistently mediocre. But when you know nothing, mediocre is a good place to start.

Gotadimple

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Ravensknight

that might make this fall into the Politics/Religion thread...

Politics, religion, and medicine.

[Xanthe]

Originally Posted by kennyc

That's for in case you fall and break your hip....

Actually, you know, that Mayday button might actually be useful for that kind of emergency situation, especially if you tend to carry your Kindle around your home with you, like I seem to be doing. It's always within easy reach.

[Fiat_Lux]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Personally, I think AARP is scamming its membership; and I find that unconscionable.

Anybody can slap an AARP label on their product, if they are willing to pay the royalties that the AARP requires.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Because it comes from AARP, and lets just say that I don't like their politics.

You have a problem with "older" people?

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by frahse

You have a problem with "older" people?

Nothing about a dislike for cheesy scam artists indicates a problem with older people.

Even people who are not older themselves should pay enough attention to business news to be aware of frequent problems with Colonial Penn Life, the parent of AARP. Certainly they have done things egregious enough and frequent enough that I knew they were not above board as a teenager in the seventies.

This has always been a sleezy rip off.

[carpetmojo]

Being well into the target audience, I find this rather patronising !

"Over 50 ? Well, you're obviously a bit thick/slow/illiterate/number-challenged et al than the rest of the population. so here's a nice oldie-friendly piece of kit to keep you quiet, 'cos we all know you lose yer marbles once you get over the important, productive years ...."

I'm the original Mr TechDunce, but I manage to stumble my way around, despite not really understand a great deal of what goes on ! And I did sling Win 8 out my metaphorical window 'cos I found it stupid - mind you, p'raps that shows I know a bit more than I think !

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by frahse

You have a problem with "older" people?

Personally I have nothing against "older people" (I am an "older person"), what I have a problem with is AARP.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by frahse

You have a problem with "older" people?

No, I have a problem with AARP. It is a bad organization.

[frahse]

A nice thing about the AARP is that joining it is voluntary and they don't force you to give them money like the Government does no matter what errors and misdeeds they commit.