LeapFrog's FLY pentop computer

We've got a sneaking suspicion that LeapFrog (which makes gadgets for kids like the Leapster) is in for one helluva time marketing their new FLY pentop computer. The FLY, for lack of a better description, is essentially a pen-based computer for kids that lets you write stuff down on paper and then interact with your drawings. It uses the same Anoto digital pen technology that's used by Sony Ericsson, Nokia, KDDI, and others in their Bluetooth pens; basically you have to write everything on special paper that comes with tons of little microdots printed on it, and the dots are read by a special tiny optical sensor on the pen. The pen comes with several onboard applications, like games, an alarm clock, and a note pad—there are also plans to sell a bunch of different products that take advantage of the technology, like math and spelling workbooks that can offer real-time feedback when you (or hopefully, your kid) make a mistake. As long as you remember to use that special paper, you can do stuff like make a calculator (touch your pen to the handwritten digits to make calculations, and the pen will actually use its speech synthesizer to read out the answer); a piano keyboard (it plays by tapping the pen on different "keys"), or write out a word in English and have it translated into Spanish. Won't be out until the fall, but should cost around $99 when it gets here.

[Rosco @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Not only will it do all that, but it can double as a bat at your little league game.

[Josh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

That's a good point. It should come with a set of freeweights so junior can bulk up enough to write with it.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

ABC News with Peter Jennings had this featured on the Feb 8 news. It was a very positive article. Well done!

[Amy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

does it vibrate? It sure looks like it should.

[Rod Rod @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Add pressure sensitivity, write utilities for Mac and PC, and make this into a Wacom tablet competitor... they'll sell millions of them at $99 apiece. Dumbing it down from a "pentop computer" should reduce its bulk too.

[Mary Beth @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

As a computer lab techie working with elementary kids, this pen is an excellent idea. Think of the possibilities that this pen will create especially for special-ed kids, kids with learning disabilities, and in the classroom, kids helping other to learn. It opens a whole new world!! Can't wait until it comes out so we can buy it and test it with the kids. Their the ones who will make it pass or fail.

[Chris Bradley @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

This is exactly the thing I've been looking for for a long time. I knew it would come. Please alert me when it hits the market!!

-Chris
http://www.ncpink.com

[Tony Murabito @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I don't know about Leapfrog having a hard time marketing the pen, my take is that they will have a hard time keeping it in stock due to larger than expected demand. I've played with the pen and it's way cool. As a learning tool, the pen is difficult to put down. When interfacing with books, kids learn in intuitive ways with entertaining and instructional feedback. But forget about the toy market, this pen will enter mainstream business applications for sure and will probably change the way people think about PDAs, smart phones, etc.

[Pat @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

so the kids can have fun learning, and the momscan have fun too

[Caitlin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I just completed my first focus group for LeapFrog and they are developing a SAT prep program for the Fly and I had a chance to use this pen. It is not nearly as bad as some of these commentors are describing. It is a very clever tool and I can't wait to see further developments as they go along!

[Pentop @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

The Fly pentop should launch in October of 2005. The English/Spanish translator mentioned above has 10,000 words in each language. No word yet on how much the required special FLY paper costs. The FLY will ship with 35 pages of FLY paper and 17 games and other applications.

[Valerie Layton @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I think this is going 2 be an awsome idea!!!! tell me when its in store!!!!!!! Good luck!

p.s. this will be a fun way of learnig!!!

[Socorro @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

This Fly pentop is another of Leapfrog's excellent aids in child education. I have been using Leapfrog products since my daughter could see and, truly from experience, can say that they are extremely beneficial. Even from beginning in Kindergarten to her current grade, Leapfrog's products have been such a great help. Her high marks in her classes are true testament to this. She can't wait until this comes out. As a parent and school teacher, this item is great!

[Lauren @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Yeah, the website doesn't work very well. I tried entering with both of the kids in both IE and firefox, and it won't work. I do the information and hit send and then... it just sits there. Oh well.

[Mick @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

For really old people out there: Remember Bill Cosby and Picture Pages??

[Fred Kuu @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It looks like a baby thermometer. Hopefully parents who buy this won't mix up the two.

[Fabulo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Come on, it's not that big, when I was a kid, I had a 57 colors-in-one pen that was much bigger than that!

[Poppy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Great. A pen. Why does this remind me of the Simpsons episode where a toy company uses input from a kid's focus group to create a horrible cartoon character? I honestly hope Leapfrog comes up with better ideas than this one. And I personally would prefer the 57 colors in one pen.

[xstevex1 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I don't know much about the Pentop, but the web page (http://www.flypentop.com/)they're using to advertise it is obnoxious. Two geeky kids asking for your birthdate and email address for your chance to win a free pen, and then when you click on the "Learn More about FLY" link, a plain, blue background hangs on your browser. I've read this web page and written this comment, and I'm STILL waiting for something to happen in the other browser! I hope their pen works better than their web page!

[cristi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I too had trouble with the website and I really wanted to play around with it it sounds so cool

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

this site might give u more info

http://www.liveonthefly.com/index.html?CID=KNC-YAHFLY

[craig @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Next time I teach a class in user interaction design, I may use this as an example of what NOT to do. They may have actually managed to develop a device that breaks almost all the rules. Whoever is dumping money into advertising this on Saturday morning TV is in for a shock when these end up in the clearance asile.

[robert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

hey craig,

I also teach interactive design. I haven't had a chance to see all the functions of the Fly pentop but it does not seem to 'break' any rules that i teach.

On the contrary, i'm quite happy to see movement away from traditional keyboard/mouse interfaces. Granted, there are many features I would love to see implimented but as a first step, this is promising.

[Silicon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

These are available now. Got mine at Toys R Us yesterday. AMAZING.

[DC Gossett @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I bought my Flypen, charger and math cartridge from QVC. My 6th grader, who needs all the help they can get in writing, loves the pen. They have not been able to put it down since it arrived! Technology is always moving forward, so must we or we become...old-fashion.

[ashley @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

how much do they cost hello answer me im dying to know

[linda @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

why can't i access the website www.liveonthefly.com and download my test

[Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

My name is dan and i think your product is wonderful. But, it's a lot of money for some people. Picture poor people that want to buy their children Fly for the holidays, but can't afford it.(Not that i am poor, i'm just considering other people.)Write to me on my e-mail address and tell me if you'll except my suggestion about lowering the price from $99.99 to something cheaper. I think it's a very good advice because maybe parents gave their child money for the holidays ,but not enough take it from me im a 11 year old kid. If you decide not to except my advice then it's your decision. Thank you for reading my comments and trying to consider my thoughts!

[woof @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

So Amy, why do you want it to vibrate?
That must be the Spanish Fly version.

[Freddy Tsao @ Dec 23rd 2005 9:59PM]

This is really nice, but the description makes it sound crappy.