For $150, you can get “edifi.”
The first “Christian” tablet. (If you don’t believe me, just look at the logo.)
Here’s what Family Christian has to say about their new “multimedia tablet”:
edifi
Our full-color touch display e-reader puts thousands of ebooks at your fingertips! Download your favorites through our pre-loaded Family Christian Reader app and enjoy edifi’s suite of family-friendly features including: Safe Search Wi-Fi web browsing, 27 Bible translations and Christian internet radio. Plus, check email, social networks, display photos. Tap, swipe, read!
This isn’t a joke:
http://youtu.be/ave4heup_MY
Features include:
Considering that a Kindle Fire will only cost you another $50, I highly recommend you go that route.
You can learn more about edifi on the Family Christian website.
As a Christian, this kind of stuff is embarrassing, don’t you think?
Chris Coppenbarger says
Actually, I’d rather have this than a Kindle Fire, but then again, I’d rather spend the extra $50 and get the Google Nexus instead. The Kindle Fire specs are rather weak compared to what’s coming out these days, and I think the Fire’s specs were weak when it came out.
Nah, send people to Google, not Amazon. It’s a much better product, based on specs and costs the same.
Eric Dye says
True enough. The Nexus would be a better choice. I was just pointing at the big picture. 😉
Bryan Chalker says
Agree with Chris on the specs (and how he looks at thing in general :).
As for the reasons…a few years ago I would have laughed at this stuff. These days (and three sons to think of), this would be a reasonable option. If it’s truly “locked down” and parent-protected it’s a viable option for pre-teens and teens in Christian homes these days. Sorry, but being as knowledgeable about security and hacking, as I am…it actually makes me nervous to hand over a device to a teen. WAY TOO EASY to make it do anything you want. That being said – I completely understand what you are implying. Pulling ourselves out of the world and/or becoming over-protective in our everyday life is never a good thing for a Christian.
An honest look:
Personally, this device looks more like a cheaply-made Android with a variety of already available (and mostly free) apps installed. YouVersion? great…but if it’s not an exclusive version with extras, then…whatever.The Safe Search browser? If it is not TIED to the hardware, and/or is an easy-to-route way to get around, then again…no value.
Why not make a SAFE (I know, relative) Android device for kids and families – then provide a way to place the Christian apps and tools on from the Lifeway site? That is more effective in my opinion. Know what I mean.
Eric Dye says
That’s exactly my point, Bryan. I’m not entirely against the concept at all, it’s like what you said, it’s “cheaply-made” — not to mention the ridiculous interface. This was designed for quick sales to non-techies, and really had nothing to do with protecting users and giving them a tablet version of the Bible.
Jonathan Assink says
This is cringeworthy. It’s a sub-par product with a “Christian” label slapped on it. It’s actually a resistive touchscreen, not capacitive like most of us are used to on smartphones, iPads and other higher end devices–that’s why they include a stylus. There is nothing inherently “Christian” about this device; it’s just a gadget, and not a very good one.
I would even go so far as to say that products like this, well intentioned and sincere though they may be, are damaging to the mission of the Church. Low-quality, obsolete-on-arrival “Christian” branded products make Christians look outdated and insular, not engaged and relevant.
So, yeah, if you want an Android tablet buy a Nexus 7, Nook Color, or wait a couple more months for the second gen Kindle to be announced.
Eric Dye says
Spot on. Agreed.
Ben Miller says
I understand you don’t generally like “Christian” versions of things. However, Amazon and Barnes & Noble both have their own tablets, so they can sell e-books, which I’m sure you would agree are the future. Family Christian Store is a national book retail chain, so why shouldn’t they have their own tablet/e-book store?
Eric Dye says
I agree, Ben. The biggest reason I’m not usually too keen on “Christian” versions of things, is because of this very product. It’s crappy and terribly done. Now, had they done something like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, I would be endorsing it, just as I have supported LOGOs in their Christian online bookstore endeavor.
Aaron says
They didn’t even design it
http://gizmodo.com/5925438/
Eric Dye says
True. (Unless you consider slapping a sticker on it.)
Joanna says
Is it really so hard to install a few free Christian android apps that people need a special preloaded tablet with them?
The name is pretty cringeworthy too.
Eric Dye says
Exactly, Joanna. They could have done this with excellence and it would have been EPIC.
John Wilkerson says
Yet another example of the consumerization of Christianity. Hit the high points – filtered browsing/search, Christian apps, say this is the tablet Jesus would use and bam! 1 million units sold. I’d rather see a company make a deal with Apple, buy iPads in bulk, and offer pre-loaded, locked down, managed versions of the device like are used in some companies.
Eric Dye says
True story.
Jeremy Reger says
Eric, I totally see your point, but this boils down in my eyes that if you can’t say something nice, dont say something at all..
And then! you talk about a Kindle Fire? is that even relevant now with the Nexus7 on the market? come on brother, help me out!
Eric Dye says
First off, to ignore a “Christian” tablet on ChurchMag because it would have a negative review would be silly from an editorial stand-point. Our focus on ChurchMag is the intersection of Church and technology. This product is at the center of what we cover.
As for the Kindle Fire, the argument is far more persuasive to point out a superior product for only 33% more vs 66% more. The Kindle Fire would be a fine introductory tablet for those being targeted by the edifi. It was simply an example, not a review of the best tablets in the world.
Ironically enough, you’re comment was negative. 😉
Eric Dye says
They DO have a $200 model … sheesh! … my bad! 😀
Paul Clifford says
In the 1800’s, Christians gave away books and tracts because they weren’t cheap to make and the average person couldn’t afford them.
When the iPad was announced, I tried to raise funds to give one to an atheist. I’d be ashamed to do that with this.
Why does Christian mean “cheap and worthless”? Notice they don’t mention what kind of Android. It’s not Jelly Bean for sure and probably not even Ice Cream Sandwich (I’d mention it was the “current release of Android” if it was). Probably Gingerbread or Honeycomb which are a few years old. You probably can’t get the latest apps on it.
The Nexus 7 at $199 is definitely the way to go here, or you can get about the same hardware for $100 from China and load your own Christian apps and give the other $50 to a ministry to help people.
Eric Dye says
Ah! I THOUGHT they had a $200 version of the Nexus 7. When I looked it up, I just pulled up the one for $250. Argh!
Good points, Paul.
Paul Clifford says
Here you go; if you want the exact same hardware, you can get it here: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sugexp=chrome,mod%3D6&q=cydle+multipad+m7&um=1&hl=en&authuser=0&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=7796114808085497565&sa=X&ei=MOn-T4b2DZOY8gTr8uHvBg&ved=0CF0Q8wIwAA for a lot less. They say in the Gizmodo article that it’s Android 2.3 which is Gingerbread, released December 6, 2010. The tablet is 18 months out of date at release. Sad.
Eric Dye says
Complete sadness.