Toys R Us to Launch their own Toddler Tablet named “Tabeo”

Toys R Us has officially listed the latest Android tablet that has been designed specifically for children. The model is known as the Tabeo, and it brings a 7-inch display along with a slew of aimed-at-children features such as a drop-safe number and child-friendly interface.

The tablet will be running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS, and will come pre-loaded with more than 50 educational and gaming apps, including Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Cut the Rope, and the ever-popular Temple Run.

The Tabeo Tablet is currently available for pre-order only, and it’s priced at $149.99. The Toys R Us listing is showing an estimated shipping date of October 1st.

According to The Digital Reader’s Nate Hoffelder, the Tabeo is actually little more than a rebranded Archos Arnova 7d G3. Hoffelder also offers an interesting suggestion to any parents out there who may be thinking about buying the Tabeo for their kids: Drop an extra $10 and get a Kindle Fire:

“Folks, if you really want to get your kid a tablet I’d go for either a much cheaper tablet or the $159 Kindle Fire. In fact, the KF looks to be a better kids tablet than the Tabeo because the KF will also soon offer parental controls. Parents will be able to choose how much access kids have to games, videos, and the web, and the KF”

—Nate Hoffelder, TDR 

Then again, I’ve never handled an Archos Arnova, nor have I handled a Tabeo. And if you haven’t either—especially if you’re buying a tablet for your toddler—you’ll definitely want to spend as much time as possible playing with a number of different models in-store before laying down your money. So with that in mind, here’s the remainder of the Tabeo’s features and specs:

• Parental Controls block inappropriate content to surf the web safely
• Capacitive multi-touch screen makes usage simple
• 1.0 Ghz processor makes gaming fast and fun!
• 4 GB Storage, but is expandable via micro SDHC slot (up to 32 GB)
• Wi-Fi
• Front-facing camera to capture and share special moments
• HDMI output to enjoy photos, videos, and more on your TV
• Over 6,000 free downloadable apps available in the Tabeo Store
• Full internet experience with Flash support

—By Robert Nelson, for the Technology Tell network, with Dan Eldridge