CHENNAI: So you don't want to gift your kids the expensive iPad because you feel they are too young to handle it! Fret not, if you look around you may find some far cheaper options, of course with limited scope and functionalities (though we won't dub them as an alternative by any yardstick).

One such can be Genius Kids Designer. Launched by Taiwanese firm Genius and billed as a 'Pen Tablet' for kids, the Kids Designer has been Introduced in India through its sole distributor, Chennai-based Inspan Infotech.

Priced at Rs 3,995, the Genius Kids Designer is first such tablet to be launched in Indian market for kids by any vendor.

Despite its limited scope, this product may be worth exploring. It is targeted at children in the age group 3-8. Kids can use it to draw and paint pictures, write the things they want and even use this as mouse to play their favourite games.

Genius claims its gaming software helps inspire kids to accelerate their learning skills in colours, shapes, maths, thinking.
Children can express what they think and create their imagination using the bundled game software. A series of fun games are also included. But just how easy or intuitive it is, we cannot say until we lay our hands upon one.

The company claims the tablet is easy to use and install. It comes in different colours and can be an okay gift for your children until you decide they deserve the ultimate piece-de-resistance, the iPad!

Given the price tag, its 5"x8" screen working area can provide a suitable enough canvas for your kids' creativity. Genius Pen tablet claims to offer easy storage keeping in view the age group it is addressing. Also, it is compatible to Pentium 233 or higher, Windows 7, Vista and XP. And, it does have a USB port.

About its handicaps and other challenges, we obviously don't know yet. But the product is being sold with a one-year warranty in India.