Since usb is the only way to get storage - is there one that will not stick out or require a kludge of adapters. So it needs to have a micro usb interface.

Would have been nice if we did not have to root to get extra storage.

I have been around awhile, I actually worked on an IBM650, room full of tubes. I had macs and then got annoyed. Run pcs now.  Have a few IPAD 1, my grandchildren love them, the interactive Thomas the Train engine is great, touch the train and it talks, etc.  I have an original Nook color (modded), it may be slow but has a great screen.  Have 2 Droid Razr Maxx phones, my original android died.  Tried to avoid Apple, but the Ipad has great apps for children.  I also run model trains, N scale (half HO size.)  I am thinking about a new Android tablet.

I just picked up an ipad 1 for $200, lots more apps, see Thomas The Train Engine interactive apps, nothing like that for the Android.

Why no Micro SD, I need that to store movies when traveling by air.  This is the same stupid decision Amazon fire made.  Some of us need content when there is no connectivity. That is why I still use my Nook Color Reader. 
I have my music, my pictures, my books, and my movies.
8gigs is laughable today, 16 gigs is not enough.  Why not have the Micro SD, it is to lock you in, Amazon did the same thing. 
After all it has GPS.  And with bluetooth, I would like to link to my radio to play tunes, but not enough storage.
Also, what video files will it play - mkv is an issue for  ipads.