(AP) - Toys R Us plans to launch its own tablet computer aimed at children called Tabeo on Oct. 21.
The news comes ahead of the holiday season, which can account for up to 40 percent of retailers' annual sales. Toys R Us has focused on exclusive toys rather than discounts as it faces tough competition from online retailers like Amazon.com and discounters like Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
The 7-inch tablet comes with 50 apps selected for children, including games such as Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, and a book app called istorybooks. It will retail for $149.99 and runs on Google Inc.'s Android software.
Toys R Us sells other electronics including Apple Inc's iPad, but this is its first store-brand tablet. The Tabeo's main competitors include LeapFrog Enterprises' LeapPad and VTech's InnoTab.
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