Our Review of the iRulu BabyPad Y1

The BabyPad Y1 is a 7″ tablet aimed at children from iRulu, one of their range of budget tablets. This is an Android tablet which runs Android 4.2.2 KitKat.

The Y1 has 8GB of internal storage, and an external TF memory card slot which can expand the available memory up to 32GB. The tablet has a Dual Core 1.2 GHz processor. The screen is a 7″ 5 point capacitance touch screen (which means it can recognise up to five points of contact at once) with a resolution of 800×400 pixels. This tablet has two cameras, one front facing and one rear facing. Both of the cameras are 0.3 Megapixel; the front one is suitable for video messaging and the rear one for taking photographs and videos.

The Y1 has two built-in speakers and a 3.5mm jack suitable for external headphones. A micro-USB port can be used to charge the tablet or to connect it to another device such as a desktop computer or a laptop. Also built into the Y1 are a return button and a camera button. The tablet also has WiFi, which can be used to download or upload content from the internet, or to use anything that requires internet access.

The Y1 comes in two colours, green and pink, both of which have blue corners. The corners are silicone and shock resistant and designed to reduce the chance of damage to the tablet if it is dropped on a corner. The rounded edges are also safe for children. There are cut-outs in the protective edges to allow access to the various ports and controls.

The rear camera is rather low resolution compared to other tablets, and will probably be most suitable for younger children; older ones are likely to want a higher quality. The camera key built into the tablet allows pictures to be quickly and easily taken. Anything taken with the cameras can be stored on the tablet, on an external memory card, transferred to another device using the micro-USB port or uploaded to cloud storage using the built-in WiFi. With the headphone jack means that children can listen to what they want without anyone else having to.

Can Children Watch Television and Films on the Tablet?

The tablet has two speakers and a headphone jack for listening to streamed TV programmes and films, with the installation of suitable software such as Netflix. With headphones, watching these programmes won’t disturb anyone else.

What Parental Controls does the iRulu BabyPad Y1 Have?

There are two different modes on the tablet, children and full. Children Mode has its own interface and in this mode will only allow children access to what their parents decide. The full mode is password protected and, in this mode, parents can also control the time spent on the tablet by their children.

Are there Games Available for the Y1?

Using the app stores, such as the iRulu Store and Google Play, it is possible to download and install games onto the tablet. There are a wide range of free and paid games available to download.

Can an Adult use the iRulu BabyPad Y1?

The Y1 is a full Android tablet with a Children’s Mode to regulate what children can see and do on it. Outside that mode, the tablet functions like a regular Android tablet, and a parent can use it as such.

Does the Tablet Have any Educational Uses?

As well as games and other apps available from the various Android stores, there are many educational apps around. These can also be fun to play, not simply educational, and it’s always easier teaching a child if they enjoy what they are doing. Both free and paid apps are available to install.

Summing Up the iRulu BabyPad Y1

The iRulu BabyPad Y1 is one of the more competitively priced kids tablets around, but this is a budget tablet that is more suitable for younger children rather than older ones. Indeed, it seems aimed at younger children, as the manufacturer seems to consider it suitable for children aged one and up. The rear camera is comparatively low resolution when compared to other tablets, and will probably not be as suitable for older children, nor will the lower resolution screen.

The manufacturers state that the tablet is durable and shock-proof and that the tablet has been certified with regards to its toxicity, making it safe even if a young child puts it in their mouth. Similarly, the child is protected from electrostatic discharge, the charger is low voltage and certified, and the battery is also certified.

The iRulu BabyPad Y1 is a low-cost starter tablet suitable for younger children.

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