Some Google Nexus 7 advice please, thanks!

[Pr0d1gy]

OK, so for Christmas this year I got all 3 of my kids a Google Nexus 7. I have zero experience with these devices and my wife and I have Windows phones. Thus, the point of this thread is just to discern what I should be looking to get for them and maybe some links to solid videos for me to watch to know what to do with these devices.

For instance, it is a good idea to root these devices? Also, are there any problems I should be aware of with giving one of these to your kids (these kids are middle & elementary school ages)? Obviously, I will be turning on the parental controls and locking it up in any way possible to prevent objectionable (pr0n) content, but is there anything else I should be aware of?

I could go on and on, but I will leave it in your hands to offer what you think is necessary and save you from reading a book to start this thread. Thanks for any help folks and have a great Christmas/Holiday Season. ^_^

 

[bigrash]

I don't think you need to root them since it's not for any "tech" use. Kids should be fine withought rooting.

I love my Nexus 7. I hope they enjoy it.

 

[Eug]

If you don't need to root, then don't waste your time with it. I'd guess that 98% of the population don't need to root. It's just that these forums are overrepresented by rooter types.

For kids, personally I think iOS is better suited, mainly due to the ease of use and app/content ecosystem, but then again iPad minis cost more, and the Nexus 7 is a nice device overall for the price.

I think my main suggestion for you at this point is to get them each protective cases. I find the Nexus 7 pretty delicate, and I already cracked the screen on mine. Luckily I had insurance on my credit card.

 

[ponyo]

You don't need to root unless you have a reason. You haven't stated the reason, so you don't need to root.

Kids will figure out the tablet on their own. That's part of the fun. They can't really screw it up like Windows computer. And if they somehow root it on their own and screw it up, you can always restore by flashing factory image.

They might appreciate Google Play Store gift cards as stocking stuffer. Minecraft is like $8.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

You don't need to root unless you have a reason. You haven't stated the reason, so you don't need to root.

Kids will figure out the tablet on their own. That's part of the fun. They can't really screw it up like Windows computer. And if they somehow root it on their own and screw it up, you can always restore by flashing factory image.

They might appreciate Google Play Store gift cards as stocking stuffer. Minecraft is like $8.

I was thinking emulators might be fun, thus the question about rooting. Good to know I can flash if they screw something up. I got them protective cases and a $25 Google Play card, along with 2 year all inclusive insurance for each of them.

iPad Mini is not something they need right now, maybe in high school, but they are too young for that right now.

 

[gorcorps]

For kids, personally I think iOS is better suited, mainly due to the ease of use and app/content ecosystem, but then again iPad minis cost more, and the Nexus 7 is a nice device overall for the price.

I hear this a lot, but I've seen it in practice with friends' kids and they seem to grasp how to use both about the same. Stock android is just another OS with a bunch of icons on the screen. There's little usability difference between the two for the type of things kids do. App variety is an entirely different matter though.

 

[Red Storm]

Now that we've got user profiles in Android, the Nexus 10 has replaced an iPad 2 as our at home family tablet. I can finally put episodes of Dexter and Curb Your Enthusiasm on the same device my little sister uses without worry. Honestly can't believe it took so long for this feature to come around.

 

[vshah]

as far as I know, you don't need to root to run emulators. you may need to enable non-market app installs in settings though (depending on where you get your emulators)

 

[Pr0d1gy]

as far as I know, you don't need to root to run emulators. you may need to enable non-market app installs in settings though (depending on where you get your emulators)

Any suggestions on where to get them? I just want my kids to be able to play some of my favorite old games from my childhood. Obviously, they will probably spend more time playing Minecraft and the like but this is a solid backup to have, as I did it on my PSP back in the day and it served me well.

Also, any suggestions as to what are the best games to get on the Nexus? Minecraft is probably a must buy for all of them, but I know my son is geeked about getting that.

Now that we've got user profiles in Android, the Nexus 10 has replaced an iPad 2 as our at home family tablet. I can finally put episodes of Dexter and Curb Your Enthusiasm on the same device my little sister uses without worry. Honestly can't believe it took so long for this feature to come around.

How do you go about putting those episodes on there? Are they on the app store or did you download them from somewhere else?

 

[zerocool84]

Now that we've got user profiles in Android, the Nexus 10 has replaced an iPad 2 as our at home family tablet. I can finally put episodes of Dexter and Curb Your Enthusiasm on the same device my little sister uses without worry. Honestly can't believe it took so long for this feature to come around.

The user profiles are a really cool feature even though I'd never use it.

 

[ponyo]

Snes9x EX is free SNES emulator and the one I use. Author has made it available for free on the website since it's not available on the Google Play appstore. As for other emulators, I believe most are all paid apps available on the Play Store.

 

[Red Storm]

How do you go about putting those episodes on there? Are they on the app store or did you download them from somewhere else?

I download them. We're subscribe to HBO and Showtime but due to little ones at home can't always watch what I want, when I want on the TV.

 

[vshah]

Any suggestions on where to get them? I just want my kids to be able to play some of my favorite old games from my childhood. Obviously, they will probably spend more time playing Minecraft and the like but this is a solid backup to have, as I did it on my PSP back in the day and it served me well.

Also, any suggestions as to what are the best games to get on the Nexus? Minecraft is probably a must buy for all of them, but I know my son is geeked about getting that.




How do you go about putting those episodes on there? Are they on the app store or did you download them from somewhere else?

there are many available in the play store, there are just a few, like the snes one mentioned above, that are available from the creator's website and not from the play store

 

[sygyzy]

iPad Mini is not something they need right now, maybe in high school, but they are too young for that right now.

I'm sorry, what? Nobody said anything about iPad Mini's and you just randomly brought it up. It's ok to get them a small tablet if it's a Nexus 7 but they need to graduate up to high school get an iPad Mini?

 

[Eug]

I'm sorry, what? Nobody said anything about iPad Mini's and you just randomly brought it up.

I mentioned iPad minis.

It's ok to get them a small tablet if it's a Nexus 7 but they need to graduate up to high school get an iPad Mini?

Yeah, I don't understand that either. The reason I mentioned the iPad minis is that it's simpler to manage (IMO), and Apple has a better app store. The main drawback is they cost more.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Snes9x EX is free SNES emulator and the one I use. Author has made it available for free on the website since it's not available on the Google Play appstore. As for other emulators, I believe most are all paid apps available on the Play Store.

The game companies don't have a problem with that? I find that more than mildly shocking...heh Thanks for the link & I will make sure to check that out when I get them up and running.

I download them. We're subscribe to HBO and Showtime but due to little ones at home can't always watch what I want, when I want on the TV.

Good to know. We have all the movie channels so that could come in handy. ^_^

there are many available in the play store, there are just a few, like the snes one mentioned above, that are available from the creator's website and not from the play store

Thanks for the info. I will look into it.

I mentioned iPad minis.


Yeah, I don't understand that either. The reason I mentioned the iPad minis is that it's simpler to manage (IMO), and Apple has a better app store. The main drawback is they cost more.

I can live with one of them misplacing a $200 tablet, which amounts to basically losing a Vita in some respects, whereas a $350+ iPad would really upset me. I'm not saying they definitely will, I just think that is a bit too much responsibility especially for my 7 year old.


I guess what I am looking for now is what must have apps are there and what would be the best games for them to get with their money? I've researched a couple of lists that had games that looked promising but I've learned to trust the opinions of people here more than anything else...unless it's someone I see in P&N a lot of course. hahahah

 

[lopri]

NOT a good idea to root if the device isn't going to be yours. Even if it's yours, you should acquire some knowledge with regard to pros/cons of root access before you act on it.

Edit: Oh, for your kids. Definitely no root if you do not want to be a tech support. Other than that I think kids will find a lot of things to do on their own. I don't think you need to worry about them finding games. ^^

 

[Eug]

For a seven year old I'd probably get him/her neither, but of course it's up to you.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

For a seven year old I'd probably get him/her neither, but of course it's up to you.

Can't leave her out when the other two are getting one. We have to stop singling her out for being younger, it's not fair to her. They always get the cool stuff and she gets stuck with the little kids' stuff.

Thanks for the advice lopri. I wasn't sure if there was really any reason to root it and it's good to know there isn't. The less I have to mess with it the better.

 

[lopri]

One of the main attractions of root used to be gaining access to the "hosts" file, which is used to block ads. There now are solutions that do not require root access for blocking ads if you so desire.

Other than that, there are few advantages of root access, especially for children. I wouldn't want my nephew to fiddle with overclocking a tablet. XD

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I wouldn't want my nephew to fiddle with overclocking a tablet. XD

Agreed. I won't even let them touch my new computer...lol

Will I need an AV prog or anything for security on these?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

No. Its useless.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

No. Its useless.

OK, thanks. So is there anything else I should know before we open these bad boys up?

 

[vshah]

Agreed. I won't even let them touch my new computer...lol

Will I need an AV prog or anything for security on these?

you should be fine without it. 4.2 includes some built in malware detection, and the threat isn't really viruses per say, just malware inside an app you install that may steal personal info. not being rooted is big protection against this. google actively monitors the play store and removes such apps quickly.

chances are your kids will be sticking to the well known games/apps and so you should have nothing to worry about.

 

[Eug]

You can get parental control type software for them, but I don't have advice as to which to get.