Molouk Y. Ba-Isa Saudi Gazette Technology doesn't intimidate children. The smallest tot will reach out for a ringing smartphone. For children, expensive iPads are fascinating entertainment windows. So it's only natural that toy companies will look for ways to merge age-appropriate technologies and traditional play patterns. Timed with the Olympics in London this summer, Fisher-Price, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. has introduced the interactive Fantastic Gymnastics Dora doll. The doll leverages the popularity of the Nickelodeon show, “Dora the Explorer." She performs two gymnastics routines, has seven unique moves – including splits, handstands and back-bends – and enhances imaginative role-play for kids ages three and older. Children can coach their friend Dora through her practice and performance routines and learn the value of teamwork by cheering her on. Fantastic Gymnastics Dora also features more than 40 phrases in English and Spanish and a special song celebrating teamwork. Play with the doll is enhanced by the addition of the Fantastic Gymnastics Dora Augmented Reality app from the App Store, which brings Dora to “life." Recently Mattel also introduced, “Apptivity," which allows children to safely play with a physical toy on the screen of an iPad. The game series was launched with Hot Wheels Apptivity, which lets kids take a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels car and race through three exciting game modes. Next came the Laugh & Learn Apptivity Monkey. This is a plush stuffed monkey. When toddlers squeeze the monkey's hands and feet they interact with the app, which has been downloaded to an iPhone or iPod touch device. The most recent Apptivity toy is the Apptivity Batman game. Just lunch the app on the iPad and place the base of the Apptivity Batman figure on the iPad screen. Special contact points on the bottom of each base allow the app to identify the toy figurine and then the player battles the criminals in familiar Gotham City locations. When kids get together for some face-to-face interaction, from the first moment technology can be a part of the interaction. Rubber wristbands are popular with children as a means of self-expression. Now, Hallmark has created Text Bands which are interactive wristbands. Text Bands starter kits feature a purple or charcoal-colored Text Band, complete with a texting module and style band. Kid enter up to a 10-characters message into the screen. When they see a friend wearing a Text Band, they connect by bumping fists or shaking hands. The bands light up, and the message transfers from band to band. A bad-word filter built into the Text Band helps ensure kids send positive messages. Text Bands hold up to 24 messages at a time – the newest messages push out the oldest – giving kids the perfect excuse to connect with their friends again and again. The wireless technology in the bands works from about 12-inches distance so actual contact between the bands isn't required. They retail for $15 each with optional style bands priced at an additional $5. Once school starts it's certain that teachers will be horrified if Text Bands catch on. With cell phones banned in many schools, Text Bands will be a new way to share “secret" messages, such as the answer to the fourth question on a math exam. The last toy to mention today, which has gone high tech in a big way, is the storybook. Parents are getting over their fear of giving an expensive digital device to a small child. Research from the UK's literary advocate, The Reading Agency, found that 48 percent of parents of primary school-aged children believe electronic devices encourage children to read more. With that in mind, over 40 percent of those parents surveyed have made available a digital device that allows their children to read eBooks. Children who have access to digital storybooks may have a much richer personal library. That's because eBooks are economical. Bowker Market Research found that the average children's eBook is $5.65 cheaper than the average hardcover and $3.72 less than the average paperback. Entertaining, educational and economical – eBooks are wonderful tech playthings!
