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Leapster's $70 Explorer learning handheld gets reviewed, loved by a father
Leapster inadvertently (or not) spilled the beans on a forthcoming learning handheld way back in May, and with nary a peep from the company, it has managed to launch said unit just as the next school year was fixing the start. The $70 handheld ain't the cheapest in the world, and considering that the "learning" cartridges are $25 a pop, it won't take long for this investment to get serious. USA Today's Ed Baig managed to wrangle one for review, and while he certainly let his kids do the dirty work, he couldn't help but express frustration by the inability to use older games with this new system. Forward progress aside, Ed found his kids enamored by the device, and while that led to him making quite a few digital Leaplet purchases (downloadable games), it also kept his youngsters occupied and engaged in something beneficial. All told, he handed out 3.5 of 4 shiny stars to the minuscule device, and so long as you're cool with daily demands for new software from Johnny and Jane, this might be the best back-to-school gift ever.
LeapFrog teases future mystery device, inadvertently spills beans in the past
"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.]
LeapFrog's Didj / Leapster 2 handhelds go on sale
They aren't quite ready to ship, but LeapFrog's big-boy-and-girl gaming / learning handhelds are finally up for pre-order over on the outfit's website. For those who missed the February introduction, the firm is hailing the web-connected Didj (pictured) as the "first completely customizable educational gaming platform," and given that it is summertime here in the US of A, this is probably your only shot at getting your kiddo to do anything beneficial for their brain for the next two to three months. Get in line now for $89.99 (Didj) / $69.99 (Leapster 2).[Via CNET]Read - Didj order pageRead - Leapster 2 order page
New LeapFrog portables bring internet connectivity to children's games
LeapFrog deserves serious props for recognizing that video games can play an important role in a child's development of motor skills and critical thinking. Its Leapster portable system has been in the market for several years, and now LeapFrog is leaping ahead with both a web-connected upgrade to the portable, and a new model intended for older children.Aimed at children ages 4-8, the Leapster2 appears to be largely a cosmetic upgrade to the original, but will include internet connectivity that will allow parents to monitor what games their kids have been playing, and track their growing expertise. New to the line, the Didj is aimed at children ages 6-10, and features a sleeker aesthetic, with a 3.2 inch screen and the same progress monitoring features as the Leapster2. The system will also allow its young users to personalize the look of each game, with custom avatars and backgrounds.Both systems will be available summer 2008, with the Leapster2 priced at $69.99, and the Didj at $89.99 USD.[Via Engadget]
LeapFrog intros web-connected Leapster2 and Didj handhelds
Heads-up kiddos! LeapFrog is out to swipe even more of that allowance with a pair of all new web-connected handhelds. Up first is the Leapster2, which now boasts a sleeker form factor and the ability to upload your totally sweet results to the web for mum and dad to ooh and ahh over. For you older tykes, the Didj handheld -- which is hailed as the first completely customizable educational gaming platform -- enables users to "personalize the look and feel of the games, from designing their avatars to choosing background scenery, color schemes and music." Also of note, the Didj features a 3.2-inch 320 x 240 resolution panel, a 393MHz ARM9 processor and 256MB of Flash memory, which should provide plenty of incentive to hack this thing into a second-rate media player when not beefing up that mental muscle. Both units are set to launch this summer for $69.99 and $89.99, respectively, while software titles for each will run $24.99 and $29.99, also respectively.[Via I4U News]
