No.  There is no direct way for the user to get to the Internet to download additional games/apps from the Google Play Store. The Senior Care tablet is designed for those who do not have, or do not want access to the Internet. If the buyer contacts us directly, we can send instructions to bypass the security for a one-time access, but it is not recommended. If occassional access to the Internet is desired for the user, a care-giver or family member, the Senior Gamer tablet may be a better choice.

Unfortunately, that is "fake news". Some of the games, mainly casino-type games, will give you a bank of credits or coins to play. You can play indefinitely if your luck holds out. If it does not, the developer encourages you to go online and purchase additional coins or credits. This is just e-commerce and is what makes the Internet possible. It is the method by which the original game developer can recover development costs. Our company would never see any of this revenue. We choose the games on the Senior Gamer for their overall benefits and whether or not they create a fun-learning experience - not for purposes of additional revenue. So, while you are free to buy more coins, we give you a "Reset" button on the tablet to allow you to restore the original credits and continue playing - without ever going online.

We do not ever charge a customer to play our games. Never have. Never will.

Apples and oranges. The GrandPad is so different, we do not feel they are a competitor of ours. From what we know of both offerings, a big difference is that our senior software is built on top of a standard Google Android operating system - GrandPad has developed their own O/S. Also, their offering is designed as more of an always-online communication tool. For example, they have created their own email programs. We use standard email and video chat apps from Google and Microsoft on our Senior Gamer - which are standard and used by most people. This eliminates the need for everyone in the family, friends, caregiver, etc. to download a proprietary program in order to communicate. They also claim no spam, but our Senior Gamer has filters for spam, malware, etc., so no real advantage either way.

While you don't need Wi-Fi with their device, their monthly service charge is steep since they have to supply unlimited internet cellular service for you. Although there may be increased security with their closed system, they are still always connected to the Internet. Not sure how much more secure that would be. We also think one of the downsides of not having a Wi-Fi option is that you are forced to use cell service even if you live in an area with spotty cell reception. (Note: Our Senior Gamer tablet allows password-protected Wi-Fi and Internet and the Senior Care tablet does not offer the user any Internet access or programs.)

The GrandPad is a smaller tablet than ours yet with simple-use features, a nice charging system, and seems to be a decent product. However, with limited software features in some areas, and its locked-down nature, the Senior Gamer and the Senior Care tablets offer a bit more flexibility - while recognizing that the primary goal of our products is mitigating age-related memory issues through a variety of progressive, interactive, fun senior games, while theirs is more of a communication device.

There are many more differences. As mentioned: apple and oranges. Hard to compare. However, on a cost-basis, we have a one-time purchase price and no monthly fees. So, when you compare the cost of ownership, even over just the first year, there is huge difference.

This is a non-issue for the Senior Care tablet since Wi-Fi will not be installed on your device, but below is a quick explanation as to how advertising works with apps:

There are two ways in which app developers can recover development costs and make a profit: Selling advertising or charging a fee to remove the advertising from the app. Some developers make two versions of their applications, one with ads and one without - which requires a payment to remove the ads. (We use prepaid apps where we can for this type of app, especially if we love the program but the ads are obtrusive.) Other developers only make one version - with ads - this is the most common. With these apps, some have embedded ads which generally appear as a banner at the bottom of the screen, and while they can be slightly annoying, since Wi-Fi is not available then nothing much can happen if the user selects it. Other types of apps spawn an Internet ad. So, if Wi-Fi is not connected you never even see the ad.

Yes.  Even though the Senior Care tablet is not designed to ever connect to the Internet, we install software for protection against viruses, spybots, malware, and spam.  However, even without this extra security, your tablet is resistant to these threats by nature of the Android operating system which is based on Linux.  This operating environment was designed to be very virus-resistant.

Of course.  It is important that she knows to expect the package so that it can be delivered. Someone needs to sign for the delivery to keep it from sitting on the front porch.

IMPORTANT: You will need to judge the abilities of the person you are sending it to. If the senior user is a person with little or no computer experience, or with serious disabilities, it would be wise to have a 'tech buddy' closeby who will read the user information provided and help them get started.

We have done everything we can think of to make it really easy to get up and running.  To begin with, there is a "How to Get Started" pamphlet, plus an illustrated User Guide, both on the tablet itself as well as a large-print version available online. There are also icons next to most features that open up a short instruction on how to use the feature. All in all, the tablet is very simple to operate with just a few simple instructions. 

We see many successful installations of the Senior Care tablet for the elderly if:

1) The senior really 'wants' to use it.
2) There is a 'tech buddy' there at the beginning to set it up and tutor them in the future.
3) Optionally, they may want to start with the 'Single Desktop' setup with just a couple of their favorite games on screen for immediate use when they turn on the tablet.

Our senior tablets are recommended for seniors with some computer experience and/or with local assistance available from a computer-experienced person in order to help them get started and go through the illustrated User Guide with them, etc. An individual with serious learning or physical disabilities may benefit from having a caregiver always operate the tablet for them. The worst possible scenario is when an elder senior is sent a tablet as a 'gift' from someone a thousand miles away with no one to help them. It goes into the closet immediately and the senior feels inadequate.

It is important to be sure that this is the right fit for the user as there is a considerable return fee due to the amount of labor involved in the customization process.

Yes. All touch screens are made of glass and glass breaks. We install screen protectors against scratches, fingerprints and shattering, but an elbow or knee in the center of the screen, or a child beating on it with a fire truck, can be a big problem. For that reason, don't leave on the floor when you have crawling children. And, don't leave it on the bed where you might accidentally put your elbow through it. Dropping the tablet is not as big an issue unless it hits just right on a hard surface. If going out with it, keep your tablet in a case that covers the screen.

We get very few requests to replace screens, but if something stupid happens, then let us know. We always have replacement screens in stock that we can install for you - pretty much at our cost. And, unless you live in a high risk environment, buying insurance for this purpose is probably a waste of money.

We tried phone support 10 years ago and it was a failure. Novice users didn't have enough knowledge to explain the issues they were having. And, since people in general don't want to read instructions, many of the issues were of the "where is the power button?" variety.

What we offer is 12-month, 18-hour/day, almost instant, email support from our support desk. This has proven to be better for having users, or their helpers, detail a question for which we can send a step-by-step instruction list they can refer back to later. Has worked well for us and our customers.

We include an illustrated User Guide both online and on the tablet and a 'Getting Started' set of printed pages in large type and in 'American English'.

This is a learning device meant to help seniors retain mental sharpness while enjoying their favorite games. We never want to drop ship to isolated seniors with no computer experience who do not have someone, (caregiver, family member, friend), who can act as a "tech buddy" to help them get started and who can contact us if there are technical issues not covered in the documentation.

Yes. You must request a Return Authorization within 30 days and ship the tablet within 14 days of the authorization. There are return fees and shipping charges for any non-defective merchandise that is returned, which will be deducted from your refund. You must agree to these terms at the time of order.

As a note: Returns are tough on all of us. We split the actual cost of returns with our customers just to be fair. A returned tablet that has been used for an hour is still treated as "used" and has to be sold to a refurb distributor. Right now, used tablets are getting 89% of wholesale in the refurbished retail market. That is 11% less than we paid for the components alone. For the refurb company to make a profit, our price is further reduced by their margin. Any damage to the tablet that requires parts replacement is charged extra to us. The rest is all labor and license fees to install 100 programs, set up a custom tablet, include accessories, and absorb packing and shipping costs.

We charge these return fees in order to hold down our product prices - because many of our customers are on fixed incomes. By eliminating "Buy To Try" orders, our product return ratios are extremely low because we do our best to screen customers so they know what they are getting and alert them to the return fee both before the order, via our website references, and again when we send the return authorization. You can see the link to our Return Policy on our pricing page and also the policy itself and the acceptance of the terms at the links below:


https://intouchtablets.com/seniors/return-policy.html


To avoid these fees, one should be sure that the product will be a good fit for the senior user. It has been made as easy-to-use as possible, but seniors limited by advanced age, and physical or mental disabilities may be hampered somewhat - especially without help. If they struggle with a phone, they may struggle with a tablet. Give it some thought.

Basically, your tablet is warranted to be free of manufacturing defects for a period of 12-months from purchase.  Software is not covered.  See the complete warranty description by clicking on the following link in this website: Warranty Coverage .