As an avid user of smartphones, tablets and computers, I have come to terms with the fact that these devices have become an inevitable part of my life. First of all, I'm all over these types of gadgets like white on rice. They have always been such a fascination of mine and it may have something to do with the fact that I'm in between Generation X and Generation Y. I'd like to think I'm tech-savvy, like most millennials, but also adaptable, like many Gen Xers. Plus, I know what it's like to use an "ancient" computer in the classroom, waiting patiently for MS-DOS to load before using a basic version of a word processor and thus appreciate the latest advancements in technology. 

Nowadays, we have students bringing in their own devices to school that work at lightening speeds in comparison to what we used when I was a student. Luckily, our school has recently purchased a set of tablets and laptops for classroom use. Which brings me to my second point: 21st century learning is all the buzz these days. Being able to collaborate, communicate and create using a handheld device is not only valued by future employers but also, it is what many students now crave. The problem is that devices in general can be quite costly. Fortunately, ALCATEL ONETOUCH, the fastest growing of the world's top ten mobile phone manufacturers and one of the newest mobile phone and tablet makers to come to Canada, offers affordable options.

For review, I received an ALCATEL ONETOUCH Pop 7 Tablet. This sleek and easy-to-use device runs on Android and offers a myriad of fun and practical features. The interface is user-friendly and can be easily customized. The Pop 7 features a 7-inch screen, 4GB internal memory, Dual Core 1.3 GHz processor and is less than 9mm thin. You can use it with or without a SIM card and it is also compatible with a micro SD for additional storage. The speaker is located on the back which helps to amplify the volume when placed on a solid surface. Initially, I was a little thrown off by the TFT WSVGA display. It wasn't necessarily the quality of the images. It had more to do with the brightness of the screen. Even when adjusted, the colour blue/cyan seemed brighter than the rest, giving it an almost 3D feel. Also, the viewing angles aren't the best.

The Pop 7 has a 2 MP camera on the back and 0.3 MP VGA camera on the front. The picture quality isn't great and there's no focus so it isn't exactly designed for the photo enthusiast. I also wish the rear camera was located in the centre, like the Pop 8 version, and that it had a thinner bezel. Battery life is generally good and the unit recharges fairly quickly. On the whole, the Pop 7 is a good entry model tablet that I would recommend for students or if you're looking for a device for young children. The size and weight is ideal for carrying in a backpack and the price is reasonable at roughly $180.