This new RealPad from AARP probably isn’t a lot different from many other 7.9″ Android tablets on the market, but it has one advantage over them. The fact that AARP is endorsing them and has some of their services set up as apps on the tablet may be enough to give tech-fearful people the confidence to think that this is finally the tablet for them. They’ll interact with the touch screen just like on other tablets. There are common apps, like Facebook, email, internet browser, and others that you’ll find analogs of on any tablet, but there are other features that may make this tablet appeal more to some people. The AARP tablet has a button for 24/7 help, helpful videos resident on the tablet or available online, or you can call for help 24/7. There are tech service people who can connect to the tablet, with permission, to fix problems you’re having, too. The RealPad has a 1.2GHz Intel dual-core processor, 1GB of memory, and 16GB of storage, and it runs Android 4.4. It has front and back cameras (2MP and 5MP, respectively), a 7.85″ touchscreen with 1024 x 768 resolution, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth v4.0, built-in speakers, GPS, and a microSD slot for expanding storage. It comes pre-loaded with a variety of apps (many of which you can delete and replace with preferred apps, if desired), and you can add more from the Google Play Store. The RealPad is available for $189 from AARP, Walmart online, or from Walmart stores. Purchasing the RealPad tablet gets you a free one-year membership in AARP or extends your existing membership by a year.
