My 18 month old niece Rysa (with the help of her mother Katharyn Wheeler) put the Tag Junior through the paces. Their collaboration:

Tag Junior 'book pal'
Let's just say that the Tag Junior looks a bit like an alien, a happy alien, but an alien nonetheless. It was actually difficult to keep the reviewer interested in the book because the Tag Junior book pal was so interesting in comparison.

By touching the pal to pictures throughout the pages, everything from animal sounds to the specific names of colors play back on the pal's speaker. The audio quality is pretty decent for such a small device, and all voices are clearly audible.

The biggest problem with the book pal is that the power button is available to the child. The second biggest problem is that the power button makes noise when it is turned on and off. Subsequently, the reviewer was far more interested in turning the button on and off than touching the Tag Junior to the page.

The third biggest problem is that the pal is set to read through a whole passage when touched to any word on a page. This feature is great in the entry-level Curious George Color Fun book where there is one word a page, but proves detrimental in more advanced books that hold up to four lines of text on each page.

Beyond the one bundled book you get with the Tag Junior, each additional book requires you to update the Tag's software via a PC/Mac and USB. This is a simple process, but it requires some preplanning. The reviewer that was so excited seeing the Curious George book was disappointed in having to wait to look at it with the book pal since it wasn't preinstalled. Luckily, once all these books are installed to the pal, the reviewer was able to switch between books at will—every book is loaded at once.

LeapFrog makes use of PC syncing in one other notable way: Once the book pal has been connected it uploads information onto LeapFrog's site to help you monitor your child's activity. The site shows the amount of time spent with the Tag, which books were read, and which skills accomplished. These tools are far beyond what any other toy/learning tool manufacturer is doing right now.

And by far the cutest function is that you can personalize the book pal so that it uses the name of the child each time it powers on (and for names not available you can set a nickname such as "little monkey").

Overall, the reviewer liked the book pal and loved the books themselves. She cried when they were taken away from her.

Formfactor Fits Perfectly In Little Hands

Online Progress Monitoring Is Excellent

The Books Themselves Are Entertaining

You Need to Sync Every Book to PC

Power Button Too Prominent/Enticing

Children Might Cry When Pal Is Taken Away

It seems like a handy idea, using an iPhone app to placate fussy babies. But do you even need a special app? I'm betting that your child will find plenty of amusement calling the random ex girlfriends you still have saved in your address book (for reasons never quite adequately articulated to your spouse/the mother of your children). I know I would.

The first interactive TV-based learning system to engage full-body movement, ZIPPITY leads kids through eight lively learning games that use an interactive mat for lower-body movement—such as running, dancing, jumping and marching—and a tummy-high giant joystick, or "bopper," for upper body action—such as left, right, forward and back. The easy-to-use system comes with all eight learning activities pre-loaded plus a foldable mat and bopper, which interacts wirelessly with the ZIPPITY console.

These learning games utilize popular Disney characters like Mickey, Pooh, Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins to trick kids into learning about subjects like math, problem solving and the arts. All-in-all, it seems like a great way to introduce fitness to young children—something that they will hopefully take with them throughout their lives. Zippity will be available for kids between 3-5 starting this summer. It will be priced at $79.99, with 3 additional games running at $24.99 apiece. [Leapfrog]

LEAPFROG AND DISNEY INTRODUCE NEW ZIPPITY™ SYSTEM FOR PRESCHOOLERS

First Interactive TV-Based Gaming System Combines Full Body Movement, Music, Education & Fun

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: LF) and Disney Consumer Products (NYSE: DIS) are proud to announce their first co-developed product, the start of a planned line that expands the duo's existing relationship. Set to launch in summer 2009, the ZIPPITY high–energy learning system is the first interactive TV-based gaming system for preschoolers that combines full body movement, music, education and fun. By joining forces to introduce the ZIPPITY system, LeapFrog extends its innovation and leadership beyond handheld educational gaming and reading to movement-based learning and Disney grows its presence in the preschool segment, complementing its award-winning Playhouse Disney programming with meaningful toy lines.

Combining LeapFrog's learning products expertise with Disney's storytelling heritage and curriculum-oriented programming especially developed for preschoolers, the ZIPPITY system lets kids bring the magic of Playhouse Disney and Disney characters to life in their own home. Kids can dance, jump and move with characters from Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Handy Manny, as well as Disney Little Einsteins, Winnie the Pooh, Disney Princess and Disney·Pixar's Cars. As they groove and play, kids can gain a greater understanding of core preschool skills such as math, language, music and culture.

Full Body Movement Drives Learning

The first interactive TV-based learning system to engage full-body movement, ZIPPITY leads kids through eight lively learning games that use an interactive mat for lower-body movement—such as running, dancing, jumping and marching—and a tummy-high giant joystick, or "bopper," for upper body action—such as left, right, forward and back. The easy-to-use system comes with all eight learning activities pre-loaded plus a foldable mat and bopper, which interacts wirelessly with the ZIPPITY console.

"Combining full-body movement with educational challenges can deepen children's learning," said Dr. Jim Gray, director of learning for LeapFrog. "The ZIPPITY system is designed to provide a powerful blend of learning and play by incorporating Disney characters and stories children love and parents trust and engaging children on multiple levels as they jump to explore letters or 'bop' to reinforce memory skills. Studies have found that young children have a better understanding of words and concept—such as over and under—when they're able to physically experience them. "

"Leveraging LeapFrog's leadership in kids learning products, the new ZIPPITY system provides a wholesome experience for children that brings Disney characters and stories to life right in their own living room while also engaging them with developmental activities that are made to be pure fun," said Catherine Bachmaier, director of toys for Disney Consumer Products. "

Learning in Step with Their Favorite Characters and Shows

The system's eight onboard preschool learning games feature Playhouse Disney characters in television-quality animated sequences. Each game features two levels of play—to keep kids appropriately challenged and engaged—and promotes preschool skills through fun play with favorite characters: Mickey Says focuses on math skills; Super Sleuths on the Case focuses on problem-solving with Tigger and Pooh; Tool Box Beat, focuses on music and phonics with Handy Manny; and Rocket's Musical Mission focuses on music, art and culture with the Little Einsteins.

The fun can be expanded with three additional ZIPPITY games also featuring popular Disney characters, Disney Princess and Disney-Pixar Cars – which are among the top three licensed characters in the preschool learning category*, as well as a game based on the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated theatrical film, The Princess and the Frog releasing this holiday.

As with all LeapFrog products, the ZIPPITY system is on the LeapFrog Learning Path, a free online resource that provides parents with insight into their child's passions by providing details on the LeapFrog products that have kept their kids most engaged, the skills their kids have learned and what learning milestones are on the horizon. With the ZIPPITY system, parents will be able to access the Learning Path both online as well as on the TV through the main onscreen menu.

Availability

The ZIPPITY system for children ages 3 to 5 will be available this summer at www.leapfrog.com and all major retailers. The ZIPPITY system has an MSRP of $79.99, and additional games an MSRP of $24.99.

The LeapFrog Text & Learn puts a BlackBerry-esque device into the hands of babes three and up. Preschoolers can enjoy texting Scout (a quasi-imaginary friend) while browsing the "web." Intended to teach spelling, basic computer skills, and the layout of a QWERTY keypad, we just hope that "Scout" is every bit as asexual as his/her name implies. Because my child's first booty call will not, and I repeat, not, be from some crappy pretend friend on some crappy pretend smartphone for kids. I want a better childhood for them than I had.

No word on pricing or availability just yet.

As it goes, our preparation consisted of only listening to our tunes, which wasn't nearly as much help as the flashcards would have been. Retailing at $59.99, with 1GB memory for tunes and index cards, 2.5-inch monochrome screen with display mounted controls, Mac and PC compatible software suite and an included Spanish translator, the Crammer finally makes revision cool. Remember kids, you may not need fancy gadgets to do well at school, but you will need them if you want to impress girls and be popular. It worked for us, right? (Rhetorical question.) [Boing Boing]

The $90 Didj is aimed at "discerning" kids ages 6 to 10. It's probably the highest-resolution screen ever seen on the notoriously low-rez LeapFrog toys, a 3.2" full-color 320x240 LCD, backed by a 393MHz processor. This enables gaming opportunities from the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog—with GBAish graphics in our preview—as well as room for customization: not only can kids mod the look and feel of games, but they can, say, build spelling lists to fit their class assignments from a database of 10,000 words. (That ain't Shakespeare's compleat 24,000-word vocab, but it's a start.) Also new to Leapfrog: Mac compability, which should arrive in September.

I know, some of you think you're a bit old to be reading about LeapFrog, but many of you already have kids you're shopping for, and others have a hankering for weird stuff to crack open and play with. We're not saying go out and buy this; we are saying that if you do, to use, share with your kids or to mod the hell out of, be sure to share your experiences. [LeapFrog]

LeapFrog Introduces New Web-Connected Gaming Handhelds

Setting the New Standard in Educational Gaming, Leapster2 and Didj(TM) Provide Parents with Exclusive Access to Kids' Educational Progress

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., a leading developer of technology-based learning products, today announced two new web-connected video game systems that are tied to the proprietary LeapFrog(R) Learning Path. The Leapster2 Learning Game System, the latest handheld in the popular Leapster(R) family, expands the gameplay online with fun activities and rewards that encourage continued play while allowing parents to see what their child is learning and share in their accomplishments. The online capabilities in the all-new Didj Custom Gaming System connect gameplay with schoolwork, allowing grade-schoolers to customize the game with spelling lists, math problems and more.

Parents can get an early peek at Leapster2, Didj and the LeapFrog Learning Path at http://leapfrog.com/gaming and http://leapfrog.com/learningpath.

"LeapFrog is the leader in educational handheld gaming and now with Leapster2 and Didj, we are offering parents and kids even more choice and capability," said Christian Cocks, vice president of gaming at LeapFrog. "Kids want to play video games, and as parents we want them to get the most from that experience. Our new Leapster2 and Didj handhelds are products that parents can feel good about and that kids can have a terrific time playing."

The Bestselling Educational Gaming Handheld Just Got Better

Four years ago LeapFrog broke ground with the original Leapster handheld, and since then nearly 5 million Leapster family hardware units and over 14 million software titles have sold in the United States. In addition to creating age-appropriate educational games, LeapFrog was the first to recognize that four- to eight-year-olds are still developing fine motor skills. Ergonomically designed to accommodate smaller hands, a bigger D-pad and larger buttons as well as an attached stylus made the Leapster handheld kid-friendly, as did offering relevant learning games that can be played with only a stylus.

The Leapster2 system offers a sleek new form for enjoying new games such as the exclusive educational game license for Star Wars: The Clone Wars or the summer 2008 Disney/Pixar blockbuster WALL E. As with the original Leapster system, the Leapster2 handheld auto-levels, adjusting games to children's particular skills and progress, so players are appropriately challenged. The Leapster2 handheld's new online connectivity allows parents a window into their child's accomplishments, while kids earn rewards to encourage continued playing and learning.

Taking Customized Learning to a New Level

When kids are ready to graduate from the Leapster system, the Didj handheld is the smart option to extend the learning. The first totally customizable educational gaming platform, the Didj system lets kids personalize the look and feel of the games, from designing their avatars to choosing background scenery, color schemes and music.

Beyond making visual customizations, parents and kids can customize the learning content on the Didj handheld, connecting gameplay with schoolwork. For example, a custom spelling list can be created from the 10,000-word database, giving kids the ability to practice for next week's test while playing the classic Sonic the Hedgehog. The Didj system supports what kids are learning in school and lets them practice skills in a fun way-through gaming.

Built for discerning six- to ten-year-olds, the Didj system offers high resolution graphics presented on a 3.2 inch LCD screen featuring 16.7 million color TFT on a 320x240 display. Perceptive players also will appreciate the processing speed (ARM 9 @ 393 MHz), which is comparable to that of other handhelds on the market today. In addition to processing game logic, the combined 32 bit ARM and 256MB Flash memories ensure high-quality, real-time audio decompression and playback.

Learning is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Also launching this summer is LeapFrog's proprietary Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that interfaces with LeapFrog products to show parents what their child is learning and how their activities or games map back to the Scope and Sequence of educational skills that LeapFrog has always built into every product.

Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers across the United States to individualize assessment and instruction, each time parents connect their Leapster2 or Didj system, they can see how education comes to life for their child — the games their child has been playing, the skills they have been practicing and the progress they have been making.

This information populates each child's personalized LeapFrog Learning Path profile, empowering parents with insights into what excites their children, and letting them know where their kids may be struggling and in need of extra attention.

AVAILABILITY

The Didj system will be available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of $89.99. The Didj system software library offers nine learning games during launch year, with an MSRP of $29.99 each. The Leapster2 handheld will be available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of $69.99. Five new Leapster system games will be available at the launch of the Leapster2 platform, with refreshed versions of 10 of the most popular legacy titles available; all are optimized for the Leapster2 handheld's LeapFrog Learning Path connectivity. The entire 33-title Leapster library is compatible with the full Leapster family of Learning Game Systems. All Leapster titles MSRP at $24.99.

LEAPFROG RE-INVENTS THE LEARN-TO-READ CATEGORY WITH THE TAG™ READING SYSTEM

Next-Generation Reading System Fits in the Palm of a Child's Hand and Interacts with Real Books

DEMO 08 CONFERENCE, PALM DESERT, CA—JANUARY 28, 2008—LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., a leading developer of technology-based learning products, today announced it will unveil its next-generation reading system at the exclusive DEMO 08 conference in Palm Desert, California, on January 29, 2008. Available this summer, the Tag Reading System is the first handheld learn-to-read technology that interacts directly with real books. Audio for the stories, as well as the fun-filled games and activities spread throughout the pages, is delivered through an innovative Web-based application called LeapFrog® Connect, offering children an entirely new and captivating reading experience. Consumers can get an early peek at the Tag reader's innovative technology at leapfrog.com/tag.

"LeapFrog's Tag Reading System was hand-selected from hundreds of emerging products to debut at DEMO 08 because it is a promising new technology that encourages and supports young children as they learn to read," said Chris Shipley, executive producer, DEMO 08. "Its intuitive design and cutting-edge innovation literally bring books to life. It really is the next-generation reading system for a new generation of readers."

LeapFrog first revolutionized the electronic learning category with the introduction of its award-winning LeapPad® Learning System. With over 30 million LeapPad units and 72 million interactive books sold worldwide, LeapFrog became synonymous with learning to read for parents, teachers and children. The Company is reinventing the learn-to-read category with the Tag reader, which combines a state-of-the-art optical positioning system and next-generation, high-quality audio software, with LeapFrog School's proven reading methodology used in classrooms nationwide.

"We couldn't be more excited to unveil the Tag Reading System—LeapFrog's successor to the LeapPad Learning System," said Craig Hendrickson, vice president of reading at LeapFrog. "The Tag Reading System brings together leading-edge technology, an intuitive product interface and the most engaging content to create a truly amazing, magical reading experience that has the power to instill a lifelong love of reading."

Reading Between the Lines
The Tag handheld works with Tag-enabled books to create an independent and interactive reading experience for children. By simply touching the highly responsive Tag reader anywhere on any page of a Tag book, children can bring their favorite stories to life, easily skipping from page to page or book to book.

The pocket-sized Tag platform "reads" by using a small, sophisticated infrared camera that works as an imaging system to recognize letters, words and symbols printed on the page. Using the PC- and Mac-compatible LeapFrog Connect Application, parents can download audio for each book in the Tag library, then manage content the way they manage MP3 or digital camera files. With 16 MB of on-board flash memory, the Tag reader can hold up to five books at a time.

All-New Proprietary LeapFrog Learning Path Lets Parents See the Learning
Launching in tandem with the Tag Reading System is LeapFrog's proprietary Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that interfaces with LeapFrog products to show parents what their child is learning and how their activities or games map back to the Scope and Sequence of educational skills that the Company has always built into every product. New online connectivity also allows children to access fun online rewards for off-line play and learning.

"Our Scope and Sequence has been the bedrock of our success for many years," said Dr. Jim Gray, director of learning for LeapFrog. "It's our secret sauce, and it's the first time we are making it available to parents so that they can see what their child is learning."

Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers across the U.S. to assess and instruct students in classrooms nationwide, the LeapFrog Learning Path allows parents to connect the Tag handheld to their computer to view details about the books their child has read, including the skills explored and progress made.

Beloved Classics and Favorite Characters Come to Life
The Tag Reading System will launch with an 18-volume library of children's classic books, activity books and activity cards. For the Tag library, LeapFrog has partnered with publishers HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and others to showcase beloved characters such as Fancy Nancy, Walter the Farting Dog, Olivia and Miss Spider.

AVAILABILITY
SUMMER 2008; AGES 4-8; Tag Reading System MSRP: $49.99; Tag Books and Activity Boards MSRP: $13.99 each

Kid classics
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Fancy Nancy at the Museum
The Little Engine That Could
Olivia
Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise

Activity storybooks
Disney/Pixar's Cars: Tractor Tipping
Disney Princess: Adventures Under the Sea
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Golden Paddleball
Go Diego Go!: Underwater Mystery
I Spy: Imagine That!
Kung Fu Panda: Po's Tasty Training
Miss Spider's Tea Party
Pirates! The Treasure of Turtle Island
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Tour de Bikini Bottom
T. Rex's Mighty Roar

Activity boards
Tag Funny Phrases
Tag Super Speller

Activity cards (MSRP: $7.99 EACH)
National Geographic Birds and Sea Animals
National Geographic Land Animals

Targeted primarily for tweens, the FLY Pentop computer is intended as a learning device, with various educational applications and games. Some of it sounded quite cheesy (like a trading card baseball game, plus a password journal for teen girls) but maybe that's just 'cause I'm an old and jaded 26-year-old. The rest of the apps sounded actualy cool and useful: a scheduler, a Spanish language translator, etc. I actually would like to see this technology upgraded for adult-use, perhaps as a PDA, or an advanced note-taking system... I would definitely prefer using this thing to grappling with stylus Graffiti.

Suggested retail price for FLY Pentop Computer is $99, while various accessories and applications range from $5 to $35.

Fly Pentop [Leapfrog]
Highly-anticipated US$99 Pentop Computer finally hits shelves [Gizmag]