leapfrog

iPhone 4 details and more

iPhone 4. A few surprises but mostly what we expected: front-facing camera, HD video recording and editing, flash, multi-tasking, video calling, and a new body.

No big surprises but technology lovers are still very excited about it all, myself included. I've been getting a little bored with my iPhone lately and feeling very tempted by Android phones, particularly the HTC Evo.

This afternoon's edition of Loaded has a brief summary of all things Stevenote. If you want more, we will break the keynote into several bits over the next 24 hours so you can watch it at your … Read more

A variable verdict

We hate to say it, but LeapFrog Software bounded over a step or two while trying to get this kiddie math game off the lily pad. While attractive and cheerful, this basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division equation-maker aimed at 6- to 10-year-olds is too simplistic for the kids we know who fall into the age range.

Number Rumble gives three ways to learn and test addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills. In the Learn It mode, you can spin the wheel to choose two numbers on both sides of a single math function and let the game fill in … Read more

Rumble your numbers with LeapFrog's iPhone game

I've heard people say that two-thirds of Americans are not good at math and the other half just don't care. I totally agree, and we need to do something about this.

Apparently, the folks at LeapFrog think so, too. The company on Monday released its new game for the iPhone and iPod Touch called "Number Rumble" (hands-on review.)

This is the first in LeapFrog's planned series of learning games. Taking advantage of the multitouch technology, the application lets children spin and tap the devices to increase their math skills.

With the Number Rumble game, they … Read more

Zippity up: Leapfrog does kiddie version of Wii Fit

Leapfrog in New York is showing off a few new products, one of which is the Zippity--pretty much a takeoff on the Wii Fit, but for the under-5 crowd. The Zippity was actually co-developed by Leapfrog and Disney and builds on the two companies' existing relationship.

Leapfrog describes the Zippity as a "high-energy learning system" and calls it "the first interactive TV-based gaming system for preschoolers that combines full body movement, music, education, and fun." Leapfrog's trying to move beyond the handheld educational gaming/reading market and Disney is trying to expand its presence in … Read more

Gadgettes 122: The crazy-talk episode

Wi-Fi paint? Bust warmer? Face slimming mask? Bandai telling women how to understand men? Why, that's just crazy talk! The Gadgettes are back in the saddle again, and this time, they ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

EPISODE 122

My new toy! The Nespresso Essenza Automatic Espresso and Coffeemakers with Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother!

Perfect Pod Maker

Made-in-Japan Wi-Fi blocking paint

British Airways to allow in-flight texting

Computer newbs kick QWERTY to the curb

Thanko’s new plug-in bust warmer… whatever next?

Bandai helps women understand men

Japanese face slimmer will definitely not work as advertised… Read more

Leapfrog unveils 'baby BlackBerry' for tots

There's good news for parents who are tired of having their toddlers getting their grubby little paws on their BlackBerrys and other smartphones while they're not looking. Leapfrog has announced a product called the Text & Learn or--as it's sure to be known in the blogsphere--the "baby BlackBerry."

Now kids can mimic their parents and send text messages and check their schedules at all hours of the day. The device, which is a bit bigger than your average BlackBerry, is geared toward preschoolers who are just learning to spell and includes games that focus on … Read more

A tech pick for Sarah Palin: Leapfrog's Crammer

There's been a lot of talk about cramming for presidential and vice presidential debates these days, and now there's a device to help all the candidates out: Leapfrog's digital flashcard gizmo, the Crammer, is officially available now.

True, the Crammer ($59.99) is being targeted toward kids between the ages of 8 and 13 (3rd to 8th grade), but I say you're never too old to use a cramming aid. Oh, and it has a headphone jack, plays music (there's 8GB of built-in memory), and has a couple of basic games onboard.

The Crammer is … Read more

Leapfrog's Nintendo DS competitor hits stores

A few months ago we got a preview of Leapfrog's new handheld learning/gaming systems, the Didj ($89.99) and Leapster 2 ($69.99)--and now they're officially available.

LeapFrog doesn't exactly bill the Didj as a Nintendo DS competitor, but the new device is geared toward 6- to 10-year-olds, an age bracket where the DS currently rules. Meanwhile, the Leapster 2 is targeted at even younger children.

The idea behind the Didj is to up the gaming and graphics ante while continuing to integrate the learning stuff that the company's known for. Those educational elements … Read more

LeapFrog to release Nintendo DS competitor: The Didj

I stopped by a LeapFrog event today to at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. I was pleasantly surprised when the company representatives trotted out a new handheld learning/gaming system, the Didj ($89.99), which is due to arrive this summer. LeapFrog doesn't exactly bill the Didj as a Nintendo DS competitor, but the the new device is geared toward 6- to 10-year-olds, an age bracket where the DS currently rules.

LeapFrog also had its upcoming Leapster 2 ($69.99) at the event, which is targeted at even younger children. The idea behind the Didj … Read more