LeapFrog teases future mystery device, inadvertently spills beans in the past
By Sean Hollister 
posted May 4th 2010 1:36AM
posted May 4th 2010 1:36AM
"There's like a billion things you can do with this! Play games, read books, download apps, make your own animation," the child actors cry. "When is it coming out?" All should be revealed June 7th, according to teaser trailer at LeapFrog's website -- that's when the company will unveil its new mystery device. You won't need to wait nearly that long, though, because CEO Jeffrey Katz has already been more than forthcoming with the company's investors. The new device is called the Leapster Explorer, and it's a Linux-based ARM-powered touchscreen computer that doubles as a gaming platform and e-book reader, integrated into both the company's Learning Path parent monitoring system and LeapWorld virtual world. We hear tell it will have a content marketplace for app and video downloads... and there's a digital camera and video accessories planned for the kid-friendly gadget's future. To spite LeapFrog marketers further, the Explorer is already available for preorder -- spotted at J&R this afternoon -- and both the online retailer and a sweepstakes running at the LeapFrog website confirm the Explorer will retail for $69.99. But when is it actually coming out? Katz just told investors they'd "see it in stores around the first of July."
[Thanks, Dylan S.]
How is this not breaking news?
So which one's jerking off?
@manifest3r
More like all three of them already came and they are observing it all in a pile
@seanGadget In any case, I'm sure Pedobear would approve.
@aschettler
Pedobear told them he wanted an ookie cookie
Great. That's just what we need our little children using...... A Linux based software.......
Open source? App approval? I think pron apps would do well on this device.
/sarcasm
That Sony ad at the top of the main page is HUGE!
@Eminemdrdre00
Firefox & Adblock Plus = WIN
@bighap I usually turn adblock off on Engadget. Plus I'm on my iPad right now.
@bighap I actually turned my Adblock off for your exact comment. I read Engadget all the time so why shouldn't they make money off me?
I sense a caption contest coming on..who wants to go first?...How about, "Hey guys look what I found!"
@TankerZ ...or "you jewish?"
Oh no, June 7th? It's totally gonna overshadow the iPhone presentation!
/sarc
whoever promotes this crap really hasnt gotten the memo. c'mon, u can do better... how about something more techy for toddles & babies?! fakyou leap frogholes.
Can't wait till someone roots this and does something useful with it.
@B3astofthe3ast Man I was sitting here wondering how long I was going to have to scroll before I spotted an intelligent comment. This is exactly what I was thinking. I mean and ARM based device with a Linux backbone and has a touchscreen for only 70 bucks. Are you freaking kidding me? This is like the ultimate MID unless the screen is like 3 in then it's just a POS I would like to use to control my home automation software. But still... ARM + Touchscreen + Linux = $70?!?!?!
for some reason I got really touchy thinking about some kids getting pixel qi screens on these before a more mainstream product came out with them. but I know that wont happen. and good thing too, kids.
Without knowing the exact specs its hard to be sure, but at a $70 dollar price point this thing sure sounds like subsidized hardware. I imagine hackers will find all sorts of interesting uses for these things . . .
@hated one
oh is this where we post completely irrelevant information that nobody cares about? sweet!
Sea cucumbers have no true brain. A ring of neural tissue surrounds the oral cavity, and sends nerves to the tentacles and the pharynx. The animal is, however, quite capable of functioning and moving about if the nerve ring is surgically removed, demonstrating that it does not have a central role in nervous coordination.
lmao!!! I was thinking the same thing.
@hated one
If only you've had access to those educational fun apps in the past.
Maybe they would have helped you.
@hated one
The more you know!
@hated one
The Ostrich has oddly shaped feet.
A leapfrog with wultitouch, an app store and and 3G so you can download Learn to Read With Winnie the Pooh on the go.
The kids get all the best toys these days
multitouch*
Looks like this might be the device.
http://www.target.com/LeapFrog-LF-Leapster-Explorer-Recharger/dp/B0038ANO3O
Yeah, that's it. Here's a pic of the device from the Sears website.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_004W020237230001P?keyword=Leap+Frog&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5
I smell a little bit of hate on LeapFrog's website. You can apparently enter to win one of these little suckers and in the rules...
"Note: Canadian winners will be required to correctly answer a math skill testing question prior to receiving their prize."
Seriously?
@dragonfli It probably has something to do with the difference between US and Canadian laws referring to "Contests" vs. "Giveaways", or something like that. I doubt it's anything sinister.
Wonder how hackable this will be.