Expert: DebiN - 11/16/2011

Question
i would like to purchase a cellphone for my kids that can be a used or outdated model

i need to download games onto it or better yet if it comes with games
i need it to take pictures
i would like it to be a touch screen model
internet connectivity is a disadvantage to me
i will not be puting service onto it

Can you suggest any make or model or place to purchase it (i suppose ebay)?
without service, how can games be downloaded - would there be a usb cable to accomplish this by connecting to a computer with internet service?
Can pictures be downloaded to a computer via the use of a usb cable as well?
in regard to games, i notice there is an android site for downloading games - what does this mean to me as far as which phone would be compatible with these games - I've seen different makes of phones that all identify by either smartphone, iphone, android (is this comparable to an operating system on a computer)?

i have my eyes on the phone featured on the following webpage but am not sure which site provides downloadable games for it and not sure how i would go about downloading them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110751745096

Answer
Hi Susan -

What I honestly think would be a better answer for you here is an iPod Touch. Since it's just like an iPhone as it relates to applications (games for this type of thing)and you don't have to worry about purchasing any type of a plan for it, I would highly recommend this. You just use iTunes to download, there are a lot of free games (much more than Android), it has WiFi that is free to you if you set it up, or you can not use WiFi and control what they download via USB cable where you are assisting with the downloading and the iTunes account.

If you go with a used device, you won't be able to get anything onto it without it being active, i.e., either it was used and not wiped and even then, you won't be able to download anything to it unless the carrier supported the connection to a computer and they don't all do this because the way you get applications is through the network connectivity not through tethering to the computer. What is comparable to the OS of a computer is that Apple iPhones have the MAC Mobility type of OS and Android is solely a OS for certain SmartPhones. SmartPhone is not an OS. Windows Mobile is the third OS for SmartPhones and RIM (BlackBerry) is the fourth.

Honestly, an iPod touch or iPad is your very best bet for your kids, in my opinion. I hope this helps.