Hey Mum it’s a Telstra T-Touch Tab
Filed under: gadgets and gizmos, innovation, internet, mobile internet, Next G™, smart phone, T-Touch Tab
I was fortunate enough for the Digital Mum Facebook page to choose me as their reviewer for Telstra’s new T-Touch Tab and I must say a big Thank You 
I must admit I am a bit of a gadget geek so was really keen to try it out 
As soon as I opened the box I see that it looks like an oversized iphone – and so, of course, I put it to my ear and said “look a smart phone from the 80′s hehe”.
I was a little bit sceptical about the height, but it really is a great size for lugging around everywhere, even fits in my handbag! The screen is big enough to watch videos and to view the websites. It has a handy little stand at the back which makes it easy to watch videos and a stylus is hidden back there too. I usually just use the back of my fingernail.
I have yet to use the actual phone function but have downloaded the Skype app and have used that with no problems a few times now I have looked up recipes, addresses, eBay, news sites, and just generally surfed the net and found it to be quick loading and no fuss. We just have to wait for a “flash” app to be developed so we can play the games online then I will be a very happy choppy indeed.
I wasn’t really keen on the photos that it took. That is until I realised there was a little plastic protective sheet over the lens and now that it has been removed the photos are much better (hey, don’t judge: the plastic wasn’t visible from the outside, it wasn’t until the back was off that we saw it loll).
That brings me to hardy; it has already been dropped onto my kitchen tiled floor. I cringed as it hit, the front went that way ← and the back went that way → :O but all was good, I found the little plastic lens cover and took it off, put the back on again and held my breath as I turned it on – yay it still worked!
It comes with some pre-loaded apps which are pretty good. The YouTube app leaves a lot to be desired though, (it seems to just buffer, buffer, buffer) but I found if you use the browser and go to youtube.com then it works just fine I have downloaded lots of free apps directly to the T-Touch and have had lots of fun playing different games. I have actually had to delete some apps because I ran out of room, hehe, I must get myself a memory card.
There is something for the whole family: my 6 year old granddaughter loves playing with the colour in games and the flash cards, my 16 year old daughter just can’t seem to get off Facebook and YouTube, thank goodness it has Wi-Fi!
I took it with me to my cousins house to show her and now her kids come running to me when I go there “did you bring the Touch thingy, did you bring the Touch thingy?” so I guess it was a hit with them too lol.
I personally find this tablet to be most useful when I put the 10 month old to bed when he is clingy and won’t let me leave. I take it with us, pop in the earphones and then watch a video or play some games while he goes to sleep. The added bonus to this is that I don’t fall asleep with him!
Overall I am very happy with the T-Touch Tab and have recommended it as a Christmas gift for a couple of my relatives, with a price of $299 is definitely affordable for the average household.
Once again I must say Thank You Digital Mums and, of course, Telstra, for this wonderful device that will benefit me even if I never pick it up again – it gives me hours of peace from the kids when they are on it too!
I have a feeling this is going to be one of those things that this household very very quickly “cannot live without”.
I guess if you’ve never used an iPad, the T-touch tab would seem like a good device. My advice.. shop around, look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab, iPad and then if you still like the T-touch tab, go for it.
I look at iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab. Yes both are nicer but for the price Telstra T-touch is very good value and has all features. If you want spent additional $500-$600 go and buy others. You can buy additional memory cards and insert it. I was thinking to buy eBook reader instead I will buy T-touch now.
That was a delightful review Jo. I’ll have to show my mum this and get her onto ‘the touch thingy’ too!
I echo Alita’s comments – for the price I dont think you can go past the T-Touch Tab.
Starting price for an iPad on NextG (no included phone remember) is $799.
Wonder what $500 could buy you?
I bought one of these, it’s a nice little device.
I’m hoping Telstra release the new Android software update for it soon!
If you’re a tech type, then I think there are devices to get much more excited about. If you’re on a tight budget, however, and $850 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab is out of reach, then this device is a good buy.
The touch screen seems rubbish after using one of the capacitive multi-touch screens (the T-Tab uses resistive and isn’t multi-touch), but $550 is a fair chunk of cash. I’d suggesting REALLY taking a look at how you use the device to determine if the underwhelming touch features are REALLY a deal breaker for a $300 device.
Last, Telstra finally seems to be waking up from their “charge an arm and two legs for data usage” dream and coming to the table with reasonable data plans at prices much closer to the acceptable mark. That means you can actually USE this device without selling a kidney on ebay (though I think they have a policy against that).
In short, step into a T Life store and have a play with one…test the other devices…then pat down your wallet to see just how much the touch screen means to you.
My daugter has asked for an Ipod (not Ipad)for Christmas to listen to music, play games & watch movies. Cheapest I’ve seen is $248. However they are no bigger than a Iphone screen. The T-touch Tab has a sreen that would be at least 4 times bigger at $299 with similar functions plus wifi. Next product on market is IPad $650 (no Next) then the Samsung Galaxy Tab at $850. The thing I don’t like about the T-touch is there is no docking station for it to connect external speakers or to charge.
Nice review but although the reviewer claimed to be a “gadget geek” they didn’t seem to know much about the competition. Based on this http://www.cnet.com.au/optus-my-tab-339307123.htm I wouldn’t consider the T-tab as it underperforms a cheaper tablet.
i think that the telstra touch tab is most definitely the best tablet yet. in comparison to other tablets that can only read with certain computer networks. this does make for difficult usage as not all of us have
“macbook pros” . telstra have done well at bringing out a tablet device associated to suit all ages. its easy functioning and compatible software makes this $299 device a terrific buy.
with its flexible and more available plan options and telstras new data plan access i cant see why there would be any need for negative judgement. with an end to my comment id like those who do percieve this to be a waste of money to have think about this. ” your spending less to recieve more”.
I think that the accuracy of your billing is shocking and I am tired of complaining about it. To have mistakes of hundreds of dollars on a regular basis is shocking. To not return calls as promised is just as bad. .
While some of your staff are great the overseas ones are not. I am very angry and fairly close to switching all my telstra accounts to another service provider.
I will actively recommend that family, friends and business associates do not use your services. My company is in fact in the process of switching to Optus.
Hi Susan, Aradhna has let me know that you’ve had your billing issue sorted out. I’m here if you should need me anytime in the future. Brendan
You’ve convinved me Jo. I’ll be buying one for my non-techie but techie-curious wife for Christmas. She only wanted a ebook reader but this seems SO much more!!!!! And at at least half the price of an I-Pad with combatability problems??????????
Appalling touchscreen display, dismal battery life, dreary hardware design. What a good Christmas gift.
CLEARLY this reviewer is easily pleased! I would say the T Tab is a functional yet very ‘budget’ device. I’m typing this post using one. The screen sensitivity is agricultural at best, battery life is appaling-I get 1:30 hours of use browsing the web while commuting to work then it’s dead, the native browser is aweful- I installed Dolphin HD as an alternative, correcting text is a nightmare. I use navigator on this device as an alternative to the native maps, and as this tool its brilliant. Yes, I use it well, but I’m an above average tech enthusiast and have perservered with the T Touch, however, I would reccommend some serious homework before suggesting ths as a comparable and value for money device.
I received a T-Touch Tab for christmas and have found that it works very well for me.
However there is one real problem, last wednesday I unplugged it from the wall charger and the battery only read 5% charged, plugged it back in and the battery indicator showed it was charging.
Went down to the local Telstra shop and they confirmed the battery had failed, I think to myself no problem these things happen, I asked about getting a replacement battery under warranty and was told the whole unit would have to be sent away and I would be without it for at least 3 weeks. I say ok how about I buy a new battery from Telstra and send my battery away to be tested, the staff then tried to contact Huawei to buy a replacement battery, they have left messages every day from wednesday to friday and havn’t even received a return phone call.
Now I am thinking if Huawei are unable to return a simple phone call how are they going to handle my t tab if I was to send it to them.
This is totally unsatisifactory to me and I really do feel for the Telstra staff who are trying to help me.
I thought manufacturers had obligations in australia to supply replacement parts for a resonable period of time!!
I will give it untill wednesday the 23rd of march and if no reply has been made by the manufacturer or Telstra I guess I will have to take my case up with the department of fair trading.
Hi Mark. please reply to the email I sent or use the online form to send me a contact number and account number, I’ll get someone to call you. Cheers, Brendan
I’ve also had very little success with getting support through Telstra shops. All I want is a new charger. Nobody. No. Bo. Dy. seems to be able to sell me one!
I also wanted a spare battery and a spare AC charger, but the Telstra shop have no idea when they will be available. considering the shameful battery life of this product, I’m concerned that Telstra may have picked the wrong supplier for their first tablet device. I have it on charge at home, and in the car, but I can use the battery up in well under 4 hours at work, and I have to bring the charger from home if I want to use it longer.
I have to agree with smadge1 – With rotten battery life, Android 2.1 still and no spare parts at all the T Touch Tab is a throw-away toy.
how did u down load free apps
I see that there are Software upgrades available for the HTC Phone to Android 2.2 Froyo, but still nothing for the T-Touch! The update was supposed to relaeased in March, it is now May and still no upgrade available. Is there an upgrade forthcoming or not???
I bought a Telstra T-Touch Tab and generally I’m happy with it, but I find I’m charging it for like 8 hours at a time. Is this right? And is it possible to overcharge?
Wishing the best of British luck to you.
Fond of the presentation of your internet site, by the way. In the infamous words of our beloved Mr Schwarzenegger, “I’ll be back” (if you’ll have me)
Hey I’m downloading things from Android market Android now it is saying that my memery is full. How do I make it go to. My sd card And not the tab
John: The firmware that the T-Touch has doesn’t allow apps to be saved to the SD card.
I now doubt that Telstra will release new firmware for the T-Touch, so yes we’re limited to the number of apps we can fit on the internal memory.
Bloody wrong if they are not going to release the 2.2 update. They were being sold in January this year with the promise of an update to be released in March. Now it is june, and no update. Telstra need to lift their game in this respect.
They are a value for money Tablet. And to be honest, with what you can do with tablets in general, I cannot see the point in paying any more for one.
With an update, these T-Touch would be as good as any available, at much higher prices.
I purchased the Telstra T-Touch with the assurance from a telstra representative that it will be updated to Froyo. Obviously telstra and it’s employees have no issues with using deception to take our money. I now see that Telstra has no intention of upgrading this system. Therefore they have left me with no choice, I will be moving all of my buisness to another carrier and advising everyone else to do the same. There is only one way that customer service will improve in this country and that is if we all make a stand and take our buisness elsewhere.
Hi Andrew, I’d like to do what I can to make you a happy customer. Please send me your contact number and account details and I’ll organise you a call back. You can use this form to send me the info. Should take 2-3 days because of the weekend coming. Brendan
This may startle some, but I have actually been in touch (excuse the pun) with Huawei and they have assured me via email that the Froyo update IS still in the works and is currently being tested! Lets just wait and see.
Funny, if I can do that and get a response from the manufacturer, why can’t Telstra? After all they went to the trouble of branding these things as their own device!