Good review. However, I will say this: the reason you see so many bad reviews is not on the users, but on amazon. You cannot put the onus of painstaking looking for things on the user -- ever. Successful products design the experience around users and this means making common tasks easy/obvious/painless. The fact that features are hidden away, not obvious and the users have to "learn" is a flat-out failure on amazon's part.

Exactly. If it has a good design, you shouldn't need to learn to use it (see IOS and stock Google Android for examples). And really, if it is in airplane mode, why can't you hide everything that isn't on the device?

I'll agree that there are a lot of features on this tablet, and that a lot of people are just shooting off reviews without really taking time to learn about the device.
However, some of those reviews are actually coming from people (like me) who really wanted this device to be everything that Amazon claimed it would be.

For instance, you make a good point about the downloads. It's great that not everything is sitting on the device (saves a lot of space), and that you have the option to download them as needed. The problem is that you can't easily disable the download feature. Sure I can cancel it if I see it downloaded something, but the problem is that my 4 year old clicks on the icons because they are 'cute'. Which usually results in her downloading the app to the device (it's all 'kid friendly' stuff so Amazon doesn't block it). So she ended up filling up the device, which leads to a nightmarish sessions of tablet maintenance. (BTW: Dear Amazon, turning off the WiFi because the device is full, and then not letting you manage the profiles because you have no WiFi is just bad design no matter how you look at it).

Basically, there are a lot of settings on the device. However, there are just as many settings that are NOT present on the device that should be. I would love to be able to lock her to just the carousel screen for instance. Amazon promoted this as a Kid's tablet with a plethora of Parental Controls, which simply isn't true.

On the plus side, she has a LOT of fun with the device when it is working properly. I'm assuming that most of the bugs will 'hopefully' be worked out with some software updates on the Amazon side. When that happens I think a lot of us will be happy to join you in 5 star land. Just waiting for Amazon to make their move now, 8^).

I am a potential consumer and really put off by the negative reviews on this product but I looked at Nabi DreamTab and I am put off by it's negative reviews as well. I would like to know if this has an app to remind kids about chores, and responsibility? Also, I do not own a tablet for me personally, I use my phone for everything so I am not that familiar with anything but Android OS. I am a tad worried that I will be getting in over my head, and I have 3 tablets to buy so I want to make the best decision possible any suggestions would be helpful. I really had my heart set on this tablet because of the warranty and the FreeTime. But the more reviews I read the more worried I become about purchasing this.

I recently rec'd 2 of these for my grandchildren for Christmas. They are "not" user-friendly to set-up at all. I was on the verge of sending them back - and still may.
I have been on the phone with customer service - many times.
Yes, I am sure it is a good product, but directions (a guide -offline) would be very handy.
The battery has a very short life - 2 hours if you are lucky.
Figuring out the downloading - the set-up - the camera - and then realizing that they could potentially have access to FB, Bing and other cyber-area - with a swipe - can be worrisome -but I realized that there are password protections - after some time of stress, anxiety and frustrations.
To me - the worse part was believing I had to give this device with "my credit card account number" - as you can't start up this device without it! There is no way I want my grandkids downloading at their free-will on my account. I again, called Amazon to have it removed - BTW - it is the only way to get it removed and to continue to use the tablet.
I may keep - since I see the benefits that the kids can grow into it - when they are ready for social media - but this is not the user-friendly tablet you see in that video they have created on the Amazon page. Do you homework - I am not convinced yet that this is the right one for kids. (Grandkids are 5 and 7 that I purchased it for).

There is an app called Chore Monster that I use with my kids. You set up chores with point values. The points are awarded as the chores are confirmed done. The points are then saved and turned in for a predetermined reward.

"you shouldn't need to learn to use it" this is why applie is making tons of money they rely on the lazy people of the world. I want my kids to learn how to use it..not be given some dummy proof product.

this is more of a question.. You have played with this device.. Is there any way for it to Grow with the child.. Like does it have the app store.. With all the apps.. Basically can i do with it what i do with my kindle.. My five yr old has games on my kindle and she would love them on hers..

so they can get into the app store and download their own games.. cuz my 5 yr old does what your 4 yr old does. does it only allow kid friendly apps?

Agreed. It is a type of failure of the saying "The Customer is always right".

And it is loses many features without wifi, killing the idea of having it for road trips.