Stuck inside on a rainy day? Try tackling a one-of-a-kind puzzle. Ravensburger is transforming the puzzle experience with its line of augmented reality (AR), interactive puzzles. The initial debut includes a collection of four 1,000-piece, 2-D puzzles. Using the camera function on an iPhone or iPad, and a free downloadable app, the new AR offering enables puzzlers to animate the image and reveal audio details, sound effects, and factual information about the scene.
Archive for the ‘Mobile App’ Category
Puzzles Pieces Come Alive
Monday, June 25th, 2012
Take Flight with Foam Fighters
Monday, June 18th, 2012
Prepare for take off! WowWee’s AppGear is a line of apps that interact with collectible toys and are compatible with iOS and Android devices. Available in the line is Foam Fighters, a collectible line of small foam airplanes that can take to the skies in the real and digital worlds when attached to a smart device. When viewed through the device, the plane flies, fights, and takes digital damage.
The Tablet That Teaches
Thursday, June 14th, 2012
The Vinci Tab computer by Rullingnet, was the first kids’ Android-based tablet in the market, and was launched at CES in January 2011. This seven-inch tablet (389-$499), and the five-inch Vinci Tab M ($199-$229), are both loaded with curriculum options for toddlers and preschoolers ages 18 months and up. The curriculum is designed by psychologists, and targets three age levels of play: the Curious for ages 18 months to 2.5 years, the Confident for ages 2.5 to 3.5 years, and the Capable Child for ages 3.5 to 5 years. The larger seven-inch screen is wrapped with a safe, non-slip silcon bumper handle for ease of use. Upgrades, which include Wi-Fi access, for the seven-inch model (at $499) or for the pocket-sized Vinci Tab M (at $229) will launch in June.
Vinci Tab M, a smaller and lower cost model compared to the Vinci Tab, offers an innovative way of leveraging technology for early learning. Vinci Tab M is powered by Android OS and 3-D animation technology, and employs the same safety and quality standards as the Vinci Tab. Plus, parents can enable Wi-Fi and allow several Vinci Tab M devices to be networked together for children to play as a group. Both Vinci models can be configured through parental controls for full Android access, including Skype, apps in the Android store, and YouTube for older users, or as the child progresses in age and responsibility level.
Teddy Bears and Tablets
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
Tablet Teddy Bears are designed to hold a range of tablet devices with their flexible arms, aiming to minimize neck strain and posture problems. Each bear’s arms can hold a range of tablet sizes at various viewing angles, helping to maximize comfort during use. The bear’s detachable backpack also doubles as storage. Available in three different characters, each with a different color scheme, Tablet Teddy Bears (developed by Dean Designs) are manufactured under exclusive license by Fiesta.
Hit the iRoad
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012
Race and battle with Desk Pets International’s CarBots. The CarBots take on damage with an interactive app that simulates a cracked windshield when wrecked. An Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Android phone fully controls these USB-powered racecars, which have a retractable USB charger built into the body of the product. Each different car color operates on its own frequency, allowing for multiplayer racing and battling.
Use The Tablet In Español
Monday, June 11th, 2012
Android Amigo Pad, by Idolian, is the first tablet in the U.S. designed for Spanish speakers, with Spanish as the preset language. Available since mid-March on the company’s website, this tablet features a 10-inch multi-touch capacitive screen, front-facing camera, and the Android 2.3 operating system, though Idolian says an upgrade to the newer Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich software is coming soon. Battery life for Amigo is between five and six hours. The Amigo Pad can double as an e-book reader, gaming system, MP3 player, or video player. There is also an optional keyboard and case. It has a $210 price point.
Ferrari Technology
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
There is a new version of the Enzo Ferrari. Silverlit introduces next-generation Bluetooth technology for its advanced Interactive Bluetooth R/C series. This interactive hobby-grade Blue-tooth-controlled vehicle has full gesture controls that easily connect and follow the movements from an Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. For ages 8 and up, this 1:16-scale Ferrari includes full-function digital controls; variable speeds; multi-racing steering; and head, tail and turning lights.
Cypher Entertainment Takes New Approach to Entertainment
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
Forget flash-cards. Cypher Entertainment’s Live 3D Interactive Cards educate and entertain. By using any iOS device or PC computer, these “cards” trigger 3D animation without using special glasses. Each card comes with an exclusive marker that, when held up to a web cam, initiates a 3-D interactive animation sequence. In the Wild Animals pack, lions roar as they stalk across the savannah, while polar bears hunt seals. Each package, including numbers, letters, colors, and more, contains up to 26 different cards featuring facts, sounds, and special commands.
Hot Wheels Go From Table to Tablet
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
The collectable cars get a technological makeover. The Hot Wheels Apptivity Car Assortment for iPad allows kids to place their Hot Wheels cars on the tablet for a new racing experience. To play, parents download the free Hot Wheels Apptivity app from the iTunes store, and then kids place their vehicle on the screen to race. Even older fans of Hot Wheels will love this game.
The Hot Wheels Apptivity is part of Mattel new Apptivity line, which is described as “toy meets tablet,” creating a new play experience using its patent-pending “Active Touch” anti-scratch technology. The Active Touch technology on the bottom of the vehicles ensures that the tablet’s screen surface will go unscathed. Three games are included in the app, and the toy set includes two vehicles.
Toy Insider Mom On Today: Toys Using Your Smart Devices
Friday, April 27th, 2012
The biggest trend we are seeing with toys right now is the use of technology in them, with them, and controlling them. Whether it’s driving, or flying, augmented reality, games for all ages, or tablets for the family, these toys are aging up, keeping “kids” in the game longer, and are using what’s already in kids (and adults) hands..their smart devices. This is the beginning of an entirely new generation of how we play.
Today, our Toy Insider Mom visited with the Today Show to give a the scoop on this hot new toy trend.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Porsche and Enzo Ferrari (Silverlit)
Age: 10+
MSRP: $79.99
www.Silverlit.com
- This R/C Car designed to run using the power of your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad as the remote control. The Bluetooth connection requires NO other attachments.
- Full gesture control allows you to control the car with the tilt of the controller.
- The app recreates the dashboard design from Porsche.
- Headlights, tail lights, signal lights are triggered from the app.
Wi-Spi Helicopter (Interactive Toy Concepts)
Age: 14+
MSRP: $99.99
Available fall
www.interactivetoy.com
- Live Video Feed direct to device
- 3 channel Wi-Fi Flight Control
- Apple/Android compatible
- Record Video and pictures while in flights
- Upload instantly to FB, You Tube, email, etc.
HELO TC Assault (Griffin Technology)
Age:14+
MSRP: $59.99
www.griffintechnology.com
- Plug the included Flight Deck module into the headphone jack of any iOS or Android device, download the HELO TC Assault app, and users are ready to fly and attack from the sky.
- Flight Deck translates commands from phone into infrared signals that beam to the helicopter
- Fly and attack, this heli is equipped with six live-fire missiles
- App also provides features not available with other RC helicopters, such as Auto Land
- Fly in one of two ways, Touch Control (using a virtual joystick on the touchscreen display) or Tilt to Steer (tilting the smartphone to maneuver the chopper)
- Similar to the original HELO TC, features a twin-rotor design and ability to record up to three flight plans for easy repetition
zAPPed (Hasbro)
zAPPed Games (Hasbro)
2 to 4 players
Ages: 8+
MSRP: $24.99 (THE GAME OF LIFE available now…other games in fall)
www.hasbro.com
- zAPPed games are available for THE GAME OF LIFE, MONOPOLY and BATTLESHIP.
- Elements of these games will come to life when apps on iOS devices join with a game board to create a unique social twist on the digital gaming experience.
- The first game available is THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed,
- With more than 100 laugh-out-loud clips from “America’s Funniest Videos” mixed with humorous animations, the game provides a new spin on the beloved classic game.
- Simply download the THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed app onto the iPad, cue up the game, place the iPad on the game board, and watch as game comes to life on each turn as you travel around the game board.
- Players can create and upgrade their own Peg Person and spin THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed virtual spinner in the accompanying iPad app.
iPieces (Pressman Toy)
Compatible with iPad
For 2 to 4 players
Ages 4+
MSRP: $9.99 each
www.PressmanToy.com
- iPieces introduces a new generation of board games for the whole family, played with physical game pieces made specially for the iPad
- Buy the iPieces for the game you’d like to play and then download the corresponding iPieces app for free from the App store.
- Your iPad serves as the game board and iPieces game pieces activate astonishing animations and special effects, which literally bring the game to life.
- Assortment includes: Fishing Game, Air Hockey, Snakes & Ladders, and Game of Goose
Kurio7 (Techno Source)
Ages 4 to 14, and fun for the whole family
MSRP: $199 (8” and 10” models also available)
www.KurioTablet.com
Available July
- Kids today want real tablets like mom and dad’s, not toy versions; but, parents are often hesitant to hand theirs over because they are expensive and they have unrestricted access to online content
- Kurio7 is a real Android tablet for families that offers parents a more affordable kid-tough option and complete parental control; everything from internet access and time control, to app access and purchasing control.
- Parents can create up to 8 different user profiles, including their own offering complete online access, and customize profiles for each child allowing access to age appropriate content—as the child gets older, they can allow for more access
- The Kurio app store will launch with 4,000 Android Market apps approved for children under the age of 14. The apps will have no in-game advertising or micro-transactions. Kurio7 will also come pre-loaded with 3 to 5 well-known apps (TBD).
- Includes a durable protective shell.
