Vtech Innotab 2 (Blue)

After my son's Innotab suddenly stopped working (won't start up), Vtech's customer service decided there was a fault with the gadget and accepted a return or replacement under warranty. Amazon didn't have it on stock so they offered to send me Innotab 2 for the price I paid for Innotab back in April (which was 65 pounds). An excellent customer service from Amazon as usual!!

I will only comment on the new features of Innotab 2 and some differences in design/features. If you are interested in old features that are present in Innotab, you can read my review of Innotab here: Vtech InnoTab (Blue)

1. Design: Innottab 2 is smaller. It still have the same 5-inch screen but the amount of plastic frame surrounding the screen got smaller. It is also lighter in weight, which is an advantage for kids. The frame now has a rotatable camera that can be used to capture photos or videos of the person or the surrounding environment. The home button has moved to the bottom in the middle. There is also a button for the camera and a built-in mic. The batteries lid has a secure latch now. Even though the lid has never opened in Innotab, it was always shaky and gave the impression it would fall off any time.

2. New features:

a. Hardware: Innotab 2 comes with a 2GB internal memory, it also supports SDHC cards up to 32 GB. The SDHC card is essential if one plans to store videos. The Innotab 2 has also a 1.3 MP rotatable Camera. The quality of pictures and videos are good (a standard definition), which is enough for kids. Though, one can't skip the technology used is around 5 years old. It wouldn't kill Vtech to install a higher resolution camera!

b. Software: The logon screen displays the user's photo now, which is a nice feature. You can have up to 4 different accounts now in addition to the Guest account. In Innotab, you can only have one account and a guest account. Though, one cannot switch between accounts. The only way to do that is to turn Innotab 2 off!

There are two new applications for the camera: The Camera app which captures images and the Video recorder app which capture videos with sound. Videos are stores in avi format. They are pretty straightforward to use.

Innotab 1 used to come with 2 preloaded games and 1 story. Innotab 2 comes preloaded with 1 game and a "Read, Play, and Create" cartridge, which contains 1 game and 1 story in addition to white and black photos to color. These photos were part of the art studio app so they are not really new. Vtech also gives 2 V.coins (worth of 2 free games or stories), where it used to give 3 V.coins with Innotab 1. Apps that were bought for Innotab 1 are compatible and transferable to Innotab 2. Cartridges are also compatible with Innotab 2.

The settings app has some new additions, the most important i the parents control, where parents can decide which content their kid can delete. This was a problem in Innotab as my son used to delete the games and videos and I had to connect the Innotab to the PC to download them again. Now, I can lock this feature and my son can't delete content by accident.

Overall, the new additions and some of the solutions to the problems of Innotab 1 are great! Do they justify the 30 pounds more (you can get the Innotab 1 for 50 pounds now)? I don't think so, especially that some of the new features came as a response to their competitor's old tablet (Leapfrog Explorer), which is now sold for 40 pounds. Other than the ability to watch any video (Leapfrog allows you to watch only videos you made or purchased through their website) I don't think there is really any other advantage of Innotab over Leapfrog. Nonetheless, Innotab itself (whether 1 or 2) offers a great environment of learning and having fun for kids and the fact that I got it as a replacement eliminated the cost compassion, but I think I would not have upgraded to Innotab 2 for the current price.

Keeping the issue of price aside, Innotab 2 is a great upgrade that provides kids with fun and learning experience.

This product is good for younger children. I'm disappointed at the cost of extra apps or the cartridges that are available. All my children, aged 2, 4 and 6 play with it. The camera feature is good as they can take photos and video. A Nabi 2 came into the house at the same time and there is no comparison between the two products. Although the Nabi is a tablet in itself and much more expensive, it certainly shows the innotab and similar products up with regards to the apps that come with them. The tablet has access to endless free apps, whereas the Innotabs apps cost £3 a pop. I am the type of customer that likes to buy a product and not have to invest in extra items after the purchase.

My son loves the toy but when running on batteries lucky if you get 4hrs use out of them. I would suggest getting a charger with this innotab. All apps for it have all got some sort of education on them.