A tablet can be a great tool for seniors, offering games and videos, Zoom voice calls, and more. However, the most popular models, namely the Amazon Fires and the Apple iPad, are not the most useful devices. Especially for tech-savvy seniors, it's easy to get confused with things like app stores, passwords, and Wi-Fi. Meet the GrandPad, a tablet designed primarily for simplicity. It's not a powerhouse, but it does some things very well. So it's a good choice for a grandparent, 80 or 90 years old or older. There is only one problem that is hard to miss.
Shop at Consumer Cellular
Grandad
Tablet GrandPad for adults
The best GrandPad deal comes from Consumer Cellular, where you pay $149 for the tablet and $40 per month for maintenance. However, customer support is provided by the service provider, not GrandPad itself, and you do not receive replacement insurance.
$149 for a consumer cell phoneShop on Amazon
Grandad
Tablet GrandPad for adults
Amazon's deal charges a higher price, but lowers the subscription cost. Do yourself a favor and look for a refurbished GrandPad instead (see below); very little is spent.
$399 on AmazonShop at GrandPad
Grandad
Tablet GrandPad for adults
If you don't want to pay a lot up front, the GrandPad subscription option includes the tablet and service. You will also have comprehensive insurance that covers loss, theft and damage.
$89 at GrandPadThis topic is expensive and can be overwhelming for many buyers. There are three main options for buying a GrandPad:
Directly from GrandPad : $89/month or $780/year (that's $65/month). This price includes tablet and mobile communications (see below), full insurance coverage - you get a free replacement in case of loss, theft or breakage.
From Amazon : $399 for a tablet; $59 per month (or $599 per year) for the service. Tip: At the time of writing, Amazon is offering refurbished GrandPad tablets in "mint" condition for $139, according to the product page. Although the warranty is only 90 days, everything seems to be the same (including the cost of the subscription).
From a regular cell phone : $149 for a tablet, $40 per month for service. Insurance is optional and expensive. Support comes from Consumer Cellular, not GrandPad.
Let me focus on the Amazon option and then come back to general shopping tips at the end of the review. At $399, the GrandPad may be a bit more expensive than some tablets (especially the aforementioned Amazon Fire), but the price isn't that high for some of the features: the 8-inch screen is very high-resolution - everything is very sharp. . . Sharp - and comes with an incredibly handy wireless charging dock/stand. 4G LTE connectivity is also built-in, eliminating the need for Wi-Fi (another potential source of complications for adults).
But to hell with the subscription fee. The $59 "Amazon Fee" that GrandPad pays not only provides the aforementioned 4G service, but also access to GrandPad's exceptional 24/7 customer support. However, it is a significant expense, especially for those who pay for telephone service; I suspect many seniors will struggle to pay.
GrandPad Tablet: Is the Experience Worth the Cost?
Let's talk about what the GrandPad can and can't do, because that may decide whether it's right for you. First, the installation experience is one of the best I've seen for any consumer product, starting with the friendly, large manual that greets you as you pack it up. All you have to do is plug in the charger/cradle, place the tablet on it and wait for the welcome screen to appear. You don't have to press the power button to get started; it's just dock and go.
In fact, the screen remains open until you close the pre-installed cover (which acts as a stand). This can cause unexpected battery drain, but it can also cause the screen to go blank due to inactivity, pressing the power button to wake, finger unlock, etc. When the tablet is not in use, the lid must be closed. or returned to dock to keep charged.
The included stylus can be useful for seniors who struggle with touchscreens, but it only gives you another way to touch the buttons. (No drawing or painting apps, for example). It's also non-magnetic, so it won't stick to your tablet or dock. It can be easily lost.
The GrandPad comes preloaded with about 15 apps, each represented by large, clearly labeled icons: Internet, Call, Email, Photos, Radio, Games, and more. They are very easy to use, make selections, increase/decrease the volume, return to the previous screen, etc. with intuitive buttons. Navigation is very easy; You can't get lost in the GrandPad interface by accidentally going to a strange menu. The screen itself stays fixed in landscape orientation, so there's no confusion about how to hold the device.
In fact, the simplicity here is unparalleled; I didn't find the iPad difficult until I tried the GrandPad. For example, tap "Radio" and you'll get a selection of preset channels, from news to classics, sports to oldies. The music program includes categories such as 1950s, big band, jazz and Latin American music. (For audio, the GrandPad has two front-facing speakers that work well, but there's also a headphone jack. However, there's no Bluetooth capability for connecting to an external speaker or wireless headphones.)
The game app includes 20 classic games: Bridge, Hearts, Executioner, Solitaire and more, all of which are equally easy to use. Two of them, checkers and chess, can be played against friends or family in real time using software or a computer. While you can turn the sound on and off in most games, you can't adjust the volume. Some of them, like the nests, are very high.
I don't think I've ever seen a simpler Zoom app: enter the meeting code and you're connected. If you receive the Zoom link via email, that will work too. (Interestingly, this is the only type of email connection GrandPad supports, and it's the best for protection against phishing, viruses, and the like.)
Another app, Moods, lets you create images of puppies, beaches, fireplaces, aquariums, and more. preloaded videos. Articles offer general interesting stories from multiple sources (but thankfully no terrible daily news), and the Toolbox app offers a magnifying glass, flashlight, and calculator.
Finally, there's Help, which shows you a picture of the GrandPad support representative assigned to you and your device, and an icon you can click to call directly. This is pretty surprising, but be aware that if you're buying a tablet from Consumer Cellular, the Support app may be a little different (because support is provided by the carrier). For what it's worth, I spoke with two different GrandPad support representatives; both were friendly and helpful.
According to one of them, most of these tablets are bought by a family member, and that person is usually the account administrator. Using the GrandPad mobile app or web portal, the administrator can configure various settings, play the above games and add people to the family network. These "verified" contacts will be available for calling, emailing, photo sharing, and gaming. That's another big part of GrandPad's appeal, it's a simple interaction with a private club.
Limitations of GrandPad
OK, now for the things the GrandPad can't do , at least out of the box: e-books, audiobooks, video streaming (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) or web surfing outside of the built-in "walled garden." websites . In fact, the overall experience of using the Internet is very limited, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Again, the idea here is to provide a simple and non-intimidating device for the most tech-savvy users.
However, the account administrator can open things up a bit. You can manually add websites, including social networks like Facebook and Twitter. You can also add YouTube, although the GrandPad will at some point impose a data limit (unspecified amount of data) if you're not connected to Wi-Fi. Wait, if your tablet supports Wi-Fi, why pay $59 a month for data? Shouldn't this be optional?
This is as it should be, and while the GrandPad claims the mobile data option makes life easier, there will definitely be times when Wi-Fi is the better option. (For example, in a nursing home or in a rural area with weak signal strength.) Yes, connecting a tablet requires an initial setup step, but this step is usually quite simple. (Choose network, enter password, done.) Anyone acting as an administrator, meaning setting up a tablet for a parent or grandparent, has at least some experience with Wi-Fi.
I have to believe GrandPad might offer a cheaper subscription option that includes support and other perks, but does away with the cell plan. Unfortunately, there is currently no such option.
GrandPad Alternatives
So if you're buying a tablet for a senior, is there a cheaper or better way? The 10th generation iPad starts at $449 with Wi-Fi only, $599 with a 5G cellular option (and cheaper plans from several carriers). It has a bigger, sharper screen and is more versatile, but it's also harder to learn and use, especially for those with limited abilities. Apple has added useful accessibility features, including larger fonts, touch settings (for people with fine motor skills), voice control, and more. includes However, there is no wireless charging option and built-in technical support.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus has more in common with the GrandPad, with an 8-inch screen and optional wireless charging ($50). The tablet costs only $150 and can often be found for less. It has no cell service, so Wi-Fi or no. But the real problem here is the user interface, which is not suitable for my grown-ups. The Fire HD 8 Plus is definitely a very capable tablet that is capable of playing games, making video calls, streaming videos, and more. it's decent, but the learning curve is steeper and the customer support isn't as good as the GrandPad.
Should you buy a GrandPad? If yes, from where?
I love the idea of an easy-to-use senior tablet designed to combat loneliness, and I think the GrandPad's performance is perfect. What I don't like is the price. The company needs to find a way to lower the price of the tablet itself and offer a cheaper subscription.
Consumer Cellular is the closest, at $149 for the tablet itself (a price that can be paid in just $5 monthly installments) and $40 per month for 4G service. While Consumer Cellular, not GrandPad, offers customer service, the former has long held the top spot in the department. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have a risk-free month to try it all out.
On the other hand, if you're splitting the cost among several family members, $89 a month might seem reasonable enough, since it includes a great tablet and live tech support from someone other than you. In fact, if you've ever felt frustrated trying to help an elderly person remotely, the GrandPad may be just what you need.
Originally Posted by
.png "Admin")