CES 2011: Introducing Vinci, a Tablet for Toddlers

We certainly expected the tablet deluge at CES 2011, but we definitely didn’t expect one of them to be aimed at babies! We had earlier seen a social networking tool for kids, but the Android-powered Vinci tablet is on a whole different level.

It's a Vinci!

The Vinci, produced by Hong Kong company Rullingnet, has a 7-inch screen, a microUSB port and a microSD card slot, along with a 3 megapixel camera. The touchscreen tablet has no other connectivity options though, firstly to prevent harm to the babies and secondly to avoid unintentional data charges. The Vinci is designed to be perfectly safe for toddlers to use, thanks to to the housing material that’s used on baby bottles and a handle that will not adversely affect babies that chew or suck on it.

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It's a kid using a Vinci!

The Vinci promises to be a great learning platform for kids in order to develop social and emotional skills, as well as their cognitive abilities. The tablet does this via bundled games in 3D environments like a Zoo, Kitchen, Farm and a Park. Each app has two modes – Explore mode where the baby can just move around the environment and touch objects to recognize them and a Game Mode where the baby has to solve puzzles and problems. The tablet also features music videos and a digital story book reader. The story book reader is different from a normal e-book, it has voiceover narrations and fluid animations to keep the baby hooked. Bundled music and storybooks include stuff like Mozart’s symphonies and The Ugly Duckling, etc.

The Vinci will be available starting mid-2011 at an estimated price point of about Rs. 18,000 ($400). We certainly hope the device makes it here. If you do too and want some more information, you can check out the website here.