Another tablet enters the fray: AARP's RealPad

[ApK]

Originally Posted by 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.

You are free to leave...this forum section and take it to P&R where it belongs.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by 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 ...."

Perhaps you can suggest they change their name to the "American Association of Persons Who Did Not Spend Their Formative Years Immersed in Current Technology and Who Now Face Diminishing Eyesight, Fine Motor Skills, Memory and Cognition." God forbid they appear age-ist....

ApK

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by 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.

While it is technically true to note that corrupt politicians like Huey Long are worse than the Bernie Madoffs, it's a rather trite point. Neither can be asserted to have any significant redeeming qualities.

A distinction without a difference.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Xanthe

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.

I'm only half joking.....

[frahse]

Originally Posted by ApK

You are free to leave...this forum section and take it to P&R where it belongs.

My whole point is that you are free to not subscribe to AARP and to not buy items from them. That is what is called "Consumer Free Choice."

Some people, myself included, have no problems with them.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by frahse

My whole point is that you are free to not subscribe to AARP and to not buy items from them. That is what is called "Consumer Free Choice."

Some people, myself included, have no problems with them.

I don't recall anyone saying that you are forced to do business with AARP. Not sure why you would even bring it up.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by frahse

My whole point is that you are free to not subscribe to AARP and to not buy items from them. That is what is called "Consumer Free Choice."

Some people, myself included, have no problems with them.

Was alluding to government malfeasance necessary to make that point?

AARP is a political advocacy/lobby group. I can see why people might want to have a public discussion about the politics of that organization before contributing to them, or before other people add their names to their rolls, thereby increasing their advocacy and lobbying power.

It's not quite the same as merely buying a tablet from store B if you don't want to patronize store A for some reason.

I recognize that. I just don't think the ebook news forum is the place to have that discussion.

ApK

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by frahse

My whole point is that you are free to not subscribe to AARP and to not buy items from them. That is what is called "Consumer Free Choice."

We're also free to criticize AARP. I don't like the fact that they take a standard, cheapo Android tablet, slap AARP's label on it, and somehow that makes it worth $100 more than it's worth and -- as if by magic -- more suitable for older people.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

I don't recall anyone saying that you are forced to do business with AARP. Not sure why you would even bring it up.

The point is a Store owner might subscribe to a theological or political view that you don't like, but he might also have some good products on the shelves and provide good services that are worthwhile.

Originally Posted by ApK

Was alluding to government malfeasance necessary to make that point?

AARP is a political advocacy/lobby group. I can see why people might want to have a public discussion about the politics of that organization before contributing to them, or before other people add their names to their rolls, thereby increasing their advocacy and lobbying power.

It's not quite the same as merely buying a tablet from store B if you don't want to patronize store A for some reason.

I recognize that. I just don't think the ebook news forum is the place to have that discussion.

ApK

So lets discuss the tablet and not worry about some bank or politic.

Originally Posted by rcentros

We're also free to criticize AARP. I don't like the fact that they take a standard, cheapo Android tablet, slap AARP's label on it, and somehow that makes it worth $100 more than it's worth and -- as if by magic -- more suitable for older people.

Many organizations, some worthwhile and some not, take commonly available items and brand them and adapt them and sell them to their customers.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by frahse

The point is a Store owner might subscribe to a theological or political view that you don't like, but he might also have some good products on the shelves and provide good services that are worthwhile.

True. But sometimes those theological or political views are so egregious that they outweigh the good services or products.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by frahse

Many organizations, some worthwhile and some not, take commonly available items and brand them and adapt them and sell them to their customers.

Yeah, I know. Not all of them take advantage of older folks by offering a bogus "custom" tablet for older people -- which turns out to be a cheapo Android tablet with the AARP logo plastered on it.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Yeah, I know. Not all of them take advantage of older folks by offering a bogus "custom" tablet for older people -- which turns out to be a cheapo Android tablet with the AARP logo plastered on it.

'Custom' can apply to any change to the device. Even the badge.

For years you could buy 'Store Brand' TV's and electronics. Opening a Sam's(tm), you discovered: Many only had a 'Trim' change (the circuit was 100% identical). Some, did have small circuit or component changes (Sears, Radio Shack... versions), but for most purposes--the same item.

This is neither bad, nor good.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by theducks

'Custom' can apply to any change to the device. Even the badge.

For years you could buy 'Store Brand' TV's and electronics. Opening a Sam's(tm), you discovered: Many only had a 'Trim' change (the circuit was 100% identical). Some, did have small circuit or component changes (Sears, Radio Shack... versions), but for most purposes--the same item.

This is neither bad, nor good.

What you speak of is neither "good or bad" because Sears, Radio Shack, etc., weren't advertising a custom product for "old folks" that would make the technology easier for them to learn and use. Not quite the same thing.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by theducks

'Custom' can apply to any change to the device. Even the badge.

For years you could buy 'Store Brand' TV's and electronics. Opening a Sam's(tm), you discovered: Many only had a 'Trim' change (the circuit was 100% identical). Some, did have small circuit or component changes (Sears, Radio Shack... versions), but for most purposes--the same item.

This is neither bad, nor good.

These subtle differences would be done to prevent price-matching at different retailers. Normally price-matching requires identical SKUs, so by having different trim they are no longer the same device.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by PeterT

These subtle differences would be done to prevent price-matching at different retailers. Normally price-matching requires identical SKUs, so by having different trim they are no longer the same device.

Are you saying that only stores that offer price matching get those custom SKUs?