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Leapfrog Talking Pen

Posted by timothy on from the more-paper-only-$1M/pack dept.

AndroidCat writes "Leapfrog has just announced their Fly pen computer for children. It talks, giving feedback as they write and draw, and with special Fly paper, you can draw a calculator, press the 'buttons' with the pen and it will read the answers. Cute, but is this a real working product? Let's see. If they included a 1 GB USB drive, it would be an interesting product for geeks too--just don't write fdisk. And remember to turn off the voice when making notes during meetings." Here's a picture of the device.

12 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Test for a true product. by Antonymous+Flower · · Score: 4, Funny

    If I draw Lindsay Lohan, can I push her buttons too?

  2. kids.... by wh173b0y · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...are spoiled rotten these days.
    back in my day we had burnt log and a reasonaly flat rock and we loved it damnit.

    1. Re:kids.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      a burnt log? luxury. We had to chisel runes in solid stone using our foreheads. But try and tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you.

  3. Too Much Technology by linolium · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What ever happened to kids playing with teddy bears, or learning from reading books? Technology might be making it too easy for them, so they don't even learn.

    Though the idea does sound pretty cool...

    runs out and buys one

  4. Practical applications by teiresias · · Score: 4, Interesting

    While it's intended market is for children, the applications this could be used in are astounding for all ages. Lesson plans become interactive, doodles become narratives, and comments become richer. This would open up a unique interface which would benifit those who aren't technically proficient.

    Not to mention a few crafty programmers and this could be a great tool for around the house.

    or practical joke. :)

    --
    -Teiresias
  5. neat, but... by LiquidMind · · Score: 5, Interesting

    would you really want to put down cold hard cash for this? it seems like just another thing that parents could buy to give their kids in hope that it'll help. If you were that age and got one of those, how much time would you really dedicate to it?

    --
    This sig contains repetition and redundancy.
    1. Re:neat, but... by timeOday · · Score: 4, Informative
      I can't comment on this brand new product specifically, but my kids have the Leap Pad computer books, and I can tell you that, in fact, they do get used. Especially on long car trips. The Leap Pads have a fair-sized library of books you can buy for them, so it's easy for somebody to get the kids one when they want to give something in the $10-$15 range. And then of course there's ebay.

      I think they're especially good for pre-readers. You touch part of the page with the attached pen, it says something about it. One book has a little "detective" narrative where touching a person gives you clues about them, and you use simple logic to guess whodunnit. And you can do basic music composition, learn the countries on the map, and of course pick up new vocabularity.

  6. Now with Lens Flare! by hab136 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Since the picture isn't a photo but a computer-generated 3D drawing, I don't they've actually built one yet. No mention on their site either.

  7. I was wondering by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Informative

    what logitech was going to do with that digital pen and paper failure of theirs.

    remember the pen that as you write stored your writing in memory and then you could download to the computer but only IF you bought their horribly overpriced paper?

    I was given one that came with a 30 page notepad. Neat idea, but it's data format was too closed so you either had to dink with it too much to send the "writings" to friends or they needed to download and install a special app.

    still sitting in a drawer here at work, Used it for 1 meeting, got pissed at the software that supports it, and threw it there.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  8. Not Enough Technology by That's+Unpossible! · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What ever happened to kids playing with teddy bears, or learning from reading books?

    Nothing. This still happens. However, believe it or not, with improved technology comes possibilities for improved learning. Maybe with the right tools, kids can learn to read and write and calculate at earlier ages, when their brains are more pliable.

    Then again, you probably think Kids shouldn't have pre-school, and they should just get shoved into a government run public school when they turn 5 or 6, and "that will learn them."

    Just guessing.

    --
    Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.
    1. Re:Not Enough Technology by PalmKiller · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I have to disagree. The improved technology does nothing for improving a childs ability to learn. Books are a perfect tool for teching children how to read. The problem is most people are too darn lazy now days to help their children by doing such a fundamental parental task (yes being a parent is hard work and no technology is going to replace what a child can learn by teaching and by example). With this teaching comes respect from the child, something that is also seldom earned by "parents" these days and you can see it in the disrepectfulness of children these days. Unfortunately your example of "let the system teach them" and "shove them into school early so I don't have to work with them" is the norm now days.

  9. the talking pen says: by kertong · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hello! I see that you are writing a suicide letter.

    May I suggest:
    - A new template (?)
    - A slower, more painful way to die(?)
    - The Grammar Wizard (?)

    If there is anything else you need, please feel free to contact my distant brother, Clippy.

    Have a nice day!"