The New Kindle as an Ebook Reader for Kids

Kindle Ebook Reader for Kids

The Kindle ebook reader is one of the most popular items sold by Amazon, and as an ebook reader for kids, it's a great starter tech gift.  Over several years, the designs have been altered and the features improved.  Pricing on the basic Kindle has also adjusted, currently at $69.  What a great deal on a real tech tool that isn't just video games and mindless activity! 

 

The original Kindle has been adapted to create a variety of additional ebook reader options that appeal to a broad range of interests and individuals.  With the touch of a button or screen, electronic books can be quickly loaded on the device to enable easy reading and access to a vast library.  If you love to read, the Kindle is one of the most suitable devices for facilitating your thirst for more material.  There are many other E-readers on the market that will work for kids, though, and it’s important to understand the advantages inherent in choosing a Kindle.

 

The Kindle has a six inch display and weighs less than six ounces.  It’s easy to carry with you, making it possible to read at your convenience.  Protective cases allow you to transport the E-reader without worrying about damaging the device.  The e-ink pearl screen reads just like paper.  You don’t have to contend with an unnatural glare that can lead to eye strain.  The no glare experience is one of the best physical features of the device.  Kindle’s battery life is one month, meaning that a single charge will ensure that you can keep up with your latest reads without worry about having to stop because of power loss.  Charging time is approximately three hours.

 

The Kindle is easy to navigate with simple buttons at the bottom of the unit.  Content is downloaded through a Wi-Fi connection, and Whispersync technology ensures that you can access your reading material from other devices, picking up where you left off.  Search features and adjustable text and font sizes make your reading experience more interactive and educational.  Kindle will hold more than 1,000 books.  The Amazon library gives you access to millions of books and materials at affordable costs, and Amazon Prime enables you to borrow popular titles each month.

 

If your kids love to read, the Kindle will keep them supplied with lots of ebook choices.  Amazon's library is filled with both paid and free ebook online options that work with Kindle devices, Kindle apps and Kindle for the PC.  Your materials are stored in the cloud, meaning that your child's library stays intact if you upgrade to a new device.  Every year, the Kindle goes through transformations to make it more user friendly and useful. 

 

If you have reluctant readers, a Kindle is a great approach to encouraging better reading time and more reading.  Kindle materials are extensive.  Whether you are dealing with a preteen in need of reason to read or an early learner challenged in reading, there are great choices.

 

You'll find specifics on this basic ebook reader for kids and others here.

Wii U Gaming Systems for Tweens, Teens and Families

Normally, I wouldn't be too excited about a new video game system for our household.  However, my tween boys have me a bit interested in the new Wii U gaming system for tweens or family use.  The regular Wii has been a lot of fun, and occasionally we will move the kids off so that we can have a bowling night.  The ability to use Netflix has been really nice until recently.  Lately, the availability of Netflix features that we haven't watched umpteen times has made me seriously consider suspending the account.  The gaming system is fun, but I've wished for a while that it had the availability of Amazon Video on Demand.

The good news is that the Wii U video console is rumored to include Amazon VOD, making it an outstanding alternative to the current version if you are looking for a way to stream movies and television content to your big screen.  The continuing expansion of Amazon's content to new devices and venues makes it attractive, and this may be the final nail in the coffin of my Netflix account.

If you are trying to decide on a system that will stream Amazon Instant Video, I think that this may prove to be a worthwhile choice.  Release of Wii U is rumored in early November, just in time for the holidays.  You can check the latest Amazon Video Game Console details here.

Tablet Vs Netbook for Tweens

If you are considering a significant investment in a tech gift for your tween, there are a variety of options, more extensive every year given the advances in touchscreen technology.  If you are debating tablet vs netbook for tweens, there are some helpful considerations in narrowing your choices.

Affordable Meep Tablet for Tweens

Cost is a huge consideration when you are thinking about a tween tablet or a tween netbook.  Before the iPad was introduced, many parents hoped for the cheap netbook to be available as a holiday doorbuster.  The mini sized computers served as affordable alternatives to full laptops, easy to transport and fully functional.  I love my netbook as a portable device.  However, the entertainment value to my tweens is minimal when compared with other touchscreen devices.  A netbook for a preteen does provide compact computing.  However, a cheap netbook is limited in its usefulness beyond simple web browsing and game play.  Unless you are looking at the netbook for keyboarding skills and school curriculum, there isn't nearly as much appeal as there is with a tablet.

If you are intent on a netbook for a tween and if price isn't the biggest factor, I highly recommend something in a slightly larger size (11.6 inch screen) and with a larger amount of memory and hard drive space.  Acer dominates in terms of ratings, and the top rated choice at Amazon at this writing is its 11.6 netbook with 4 GB RAM and 500 GB Hard Drive. ( Acer Aspire One AO756-2808 11.6-Inch Netbook )  Less severe on the eyes and less frustrating with limitations on memory.  Only $350 in cost, it's going to be less frustrating.

Alternately, a full laptop in a 14.6 screen size may be a better choice for visual ease of use.

Tablets, though, provide Web browsing and game play, with tactile interaction making it much more appealing than a netbook for many preteen computer users.  If your tween likes games, apps on both iPad and Android tablets are primarily going to accomodate this need.  Further, the likeability combines with great affordability.  The Meep Tablet for a preteen is affordably priced at around $150.  Netbooks in this price range are going to be limited, but the Meep is a kid friendly device with great apps and parental controls built in.  The Kindle Fire is a 7" Android tablet in the $200 range.  These devices are much more user friendly than tween netbooks and the costs are much more budget friendly.  Ideally, many tweens would love to own an iPad, and with rumors of a 7" iPad tablet coming soon, it makes more sense to think about the iPad mini for your pre teen than to buy a netbook.  As a parent, I'd rather use a tablet than a netbook for research, and my main netbook use is for quick web browsing and composition on the road.  A tablet is more apt to meet entertainment and research needs without overly straining the eyes.