Is there a way to completely disable the dialer including emergency calls to make an old phone a "tablet"? I have a Galaxy Nexus (running 4.2.2 if it matters but I'd presume the rules would apply to most Android OS' in general, it isn't currently rooted but I can root it if necessary) that I've recently replaced with a newer phone.

Now I'd like to give my 5 year old my Gnex as a basic "game/kids app device" that he can mess around with since he was used to playing a few kid games before on it.  I still want WIFI access so airplane mode is out.

However, I'd like to be able to completely remove the PHONE functionality from the phone.  The phone has no service, but can still make Emergency calls and I'm concerned about him possibly doing so before I can explain to 911 that it was an accidental call.

So, is there a way to completely disable:


the phone dialer
the ability to place emergency calls
the contacts/address book


Bottom line:  If you think in Apple terms, I'd like an "iPhone" to become an "IPod Touch", but for my Android.
If you root the phone, go into Manage Apps and you can disable the dialer, it will remove it from the home page. Contacts can also be disabled. There are also numerous ways to put the phone in Airplane mode so it's persistent after restart.



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NOTE: disabling dialer does not disable the emergency dialer, but airplane mode does.