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Ricardo Bilton & Gloria Sin
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Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids

By | November 2, 2011, 1:12pm PDT

Summary: Tired of sharing your iPad with your kids? Karuma may have your solution.

As the iPad has become more popular, parents have become a lot more interested in alternatives for Apple’s tablet that are made especially for kids.

The PlayBase is one of those tablets. Designed by Singapore-based company Karuma, the PlayBase is an Android-powered 7-inch tablet built to withstand even the most sizable beatings. Its durability comes from PlayCover, a silicone wrap that protects the tablet from water, scratches, and damage from falls.

Featuring a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB of flash memory, and an upgradable SD card slot, the PlayBase is pretty capable for a tablet aimed at kids. The device also features a front-facing camera and a 5-hour battery life. Though its still running a skinned version of Gingerbread, Karuma gave the PlayBase’s 1GB RAM with the intention of offering upgrades to later versions of Android, including Ice Cream Sandwich.

But the PlayBase is not especially cheap. Karuma is asking $270 (£169) for the thing, and while thats roughly the range that 7-inch tablets sell for, its hard not to shake the feeling that the tablet could had been a tad bit cheaper. Available December 1st.

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Topics

Parent, Apple iPad, Karuma, Tablets, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.

Disclosure

Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton has no investments that may conflict with his work with ZDNet. Similarly, he has not worked with any companies that he may write about in his technology coverage.

Biography

Ricardo Bilton

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications. He lives in New York, and is a graduate of Amherst College.
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RE: Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids
dwatkinsjr 2nd Jan
In my brief chance to use it while setting it up for my daughter, it is rather slow and unresponsive at times. I am now trying to figure out why the screen has gone blank and the menu and home buttons are flashing. The company has no support documentation. For $279, you would think it would perform as well as be durable.
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RE: Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids
mobilejray 3rd Nov
When this hits $149, it will sell like crazy.
But with those specs, directed at the child market, it's too much.
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RE: Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids
mprangel3@... 3rd Nov
I agree. Makers of tablets just don't get it. If you want to compete with other manufacturers, you need to have a lower price for your product. People will look at your product more if they see it's something they can afford.
I was really interested in maybe buying this product for my child but then I saw the sticker price and I said "Wow"! I will pass.
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RE: Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids
PlayBase 3rd Nov
@mprangel3@... HI there this is ash @ PlayBase. Our tablet is meant for adults as well s kids hence the proper specification. To have this spec of course there is a higher unit cost that we have to manage. We will definitely look at a cheaper version to cater for your needs so thanks for the feedback. Please follow us on twitter or facebook for info @Play_Base
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****Memory Allocation Issues***
CANTU.FAMILIA 20th Dec
I went and ordered one for my kid. I was not informed until after I had allready paid for the item that there were issue with the tablet. IMO its not a good business practice to send out an email the day after your customer is paid for the tablet to inform them that your shipping them a bad product. For $279 this thing should have no issues.

Playbase Email:
"We also want to inform you that we found some of the Micro SD cards (sent out with your unit), had some issues with the memory allocation"

I have contacted Ash @ PlayBase and will let you know how they chose to address the issue.
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****Memory Allocation Issues***
CANTU.FAMILIA 21st Dec
@CANTU.FAMILIA

Ash addressed my concerns with the Micro SD cards. The tablet looks great and feels well made. It's got some weight to it and does not feel like cheap plastic.
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RE: Karuma's PlayBase is a capable and durable tablet for kids
dwatkinsjr 2nd Jan
In my brief chance to use it while setting it up for my daughter, it is rather slow and unresponsive at times. I am now trying to figure out why the screen has gone blank and the menu and home buttons are flashing. The company has no support documentation. For $279, you would think it would perform as well as be durable.

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