Toys R Us Tabeo Targets Toddler Tableteers

Toys R Us has waded into the child tablet market, revealing its sub-$150 Tabeo complete with Ice Cream Sandwich, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a suite of kid-friendly apps. Up for pre-order now, and expected to begin shipping at the top end of October, the Tabeo dresses its relatively humble specifications with a rumpus-friendly tough housing and a selection of games, education apps, entertainment software and ebooks preloaded.

Those will include math, science, letters, and other education apps, games that include Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Temple Run, Cut the Rope and more, and various creativity apps intended for younger users. There's access to more through the Tabeo App Store, with all listed apps going through an approvals process so as to ensure they're okay for the target audience.

We weren't joking about the humble specifications, however. Tabeo has a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage – though you do get a microSD card slot – and the display runs at a mere 800 x 480 resolution. There's micro-HDMI, microUSB 2.0 and WiFi b/g/n connectivity, along with a microphone and speaker, and a front-facing camera.

Battery life is up to 7hrs video playback or 10hrs of web use, or up to 35hrs of music playback with the screen off. Toys R Us will also offer a range of accessories – including bumper cases and docks – to go with the slate.

Tabeo is available for preorder now online, with deliveries from October 1, and will be available in Toys R Us stores from October 21, priced at $149.99.