LeapFrog Fly pentop computer turns out to be pretty fly

Businessweek has a look at the LeapFrog Fly pentop computer for kids and finds it a potentially very cool tool. The Fly only responds to written commands, then talks back with responses and options. The device doesn't respond well to sloppy handwriting, so getting the hang of the writing recognition for some of the applications (scheduler, calculator, current time, notepad, settings, games) might take a little bit of getting used to. Other than that, they found the interface novel and fun to use, and the games entertaining while also educational — kids will be learning in a way that looks an awful lot like fun. That kind of educational stealth is bound to appeal not just to the kids, but also to the parents holding the wallets.