EE Refreshes Robin Android Tablet To Get Kids Hooked On 4G

EE has a second generation of its Robin 4G tablet, aimed at getting more people onto its mobile broadband network.

Like its predecessor, the new Robin is aimed at children, given it sports a child-proof design and comes pre-loaded with educational apps and eBooks as well as a digital playroom called Hopster for kids to watch TV shows and play learning-based games.

Boosting 4G adoption

Given a multitude of affordable tablets on the market and the availability of rugged case that prevent children from smearing peanut butter on an iPad’s Retina Display or sending a Samsung Galaxy Tab for a near airborne trip down the stairs, one could ask why EE has decided to launch a new Robin in an already crowded market given it lacks the hardware gravitas of the likes of Apple, Samsung and Sony.

The answer lies with it 4G connectivity, starting at £17 per month, which gives parents and their children access to EE’s speedy mobile broadband when they are out and about away from a Wi-Fi network.

This effectively means EE gains another revenue stream off the back of its 4G network, and potentially curries favour with children who get used to the speeds 4G can offer and when it comes to getting their own mobile contracts when they are a little older, EE has the potential to be enshrined upon their mind.

To achieve this all the company must do is cover the price of relatively cheap tablet if it is bought with a monthly 4G plan. EE is also offering the new Robin for £129.99 on pay has you go deal.

Given the plethora of text and voice over Internet apps and services available that reduce the need for people to rely upon the minutes and text allowances of their telecos, getting people on mobile broadband packages is likely to be the future model for the likes of EE.

Under the hoot the tablet sports the somewhat outdated Android Lollipop 5.1 operating system, a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage that’s expandable to 32GB with a microSD card. All in all a solid if unremarkable specification; about what would be expected for such a tablet.

“This year we’ve given the Robin a makeover, to ensure it is once again the perfect gift for parents who want a tablet which can provide their children with hours of entertainment and e-learning in a protected online environment,” said Sharon Meadows, director of devices at EE.

While the Robin may be targeted at consumers, there could be some potential for it to be used in schools given its rugged credentials and education tools. However, this is an area that’s already hotly contested by the likes of Microsoft and Samsung with their connected classroom concepts, so EE would have a fight on its hands if it pursued this route.

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