USA TODAY International Edition
Amazon unveils Fire Kids Pro for older kids
Amazon is rolling out new, kidfriendly tablets with features that will adapt as young users grow older.
On Tuesday, the tech giant announced the launch of the Fire Kids Pro, which will come with a 7- inch, 8inch HD or 10- inch HD screen. The tablets, available to pre- order now, will begin shipping May 26. Prices start at $ 99.99 and rise to $ 199.99 for the 10inch model.
The biggest difference with these tablets and the current wave of Fire Kids tablets is that they look less like a toy. The protective case has been slimmed down compared with previous models, and includes a kickstand to prop up the tablet.
The tablet experience itself is more sophisticated, too. There’s a wider selection of kids’ content from which to choose. The Fire Kids Pro will provide access to a digital store, unlike other Amazon kids tablets that provided only curated apps.
The Fire Kids Pro supports voice and video calling, as well as a web browser. It features a one- year subscription to Amazon Kids+, with access to more than 20,000 books, movies, TV shows and other kid- friendly content curated by Amazon.
Since this is a tablet for kids between the ages of 6 and 12, parents still can control what their kids experience. For example, the digital store allows kids only to request apps. A dashboard available to parents on desktop or mobile provides a place to approve apps as well as manage their child’s activity. Other options include the ability to block websites within the browser.
Profiles with Fire Kids Pro offer three levels of restrictions: limited, moderate and full. By default, the tablets use moderate restrictions, with tighter filters on web browsing and no access to in- app purchases or expanded content.