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New 'Pentop' Computer To Help Children Learn
theodp writes "Educational toymaker LeapFrog is introducing the Fly "pentop" computer, a talking computer hidden within a pen the size of an electric toothbrush. Available in mid-October for $99 at Wal-Mart and Target, the device responds to written commands and is aimed at 9-14 year-olds who can use it as a calculator, a calendar, to create and record music, and to play logic and geography games."
Leapfrog Talking Pen
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
Those guys have some pretty badass website, check it out: http://www.liveonthefly.com/
there was a learning toy that consisted of an electronic pen, which you would press the tip to the pages of special work books made for it, and it would beep and light up to indicate if the answer was right or wrong. The "pen" was pretty large and bulky, and it was a black color. Does anyone remember what the name of it was?
If you typed "loose" instead of "lose" it could be a typo. Since you did it twice, you are one of the many people online who do not know the difference between lose and loose. Join the club.
Suzie's about to lose her anal virginity. After that happens, her ass will be very loose.
Bobby's about to lose his button. After that happens, his collar will be very loose.
There's no real need to invoke extreme vulgarity when all that you are trying to do is make a grammar point.
Getting into the habit of being extremely and unnecessarily vulgar is easy, but it's a difficult habit to break. And it can be very costly if you misjudge the extent that it might cause offence.
Just a thought.
You are correct. This is just like the Logitech IO pens here: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/fe atures/digitalwriting&crid=1545&countryid=19&langu ageid=1.
The Music application is really interesting. Have Anoto paper with the music bars, and then in writing on the paper, you can then sync and get a midi file. Also there is just something very tactilely pleasing about pen to paper. I use an IO for all my notes for work. I have a paper copy then and also an archive.
Many hospitals use the techology for forms as well. A Dr. or nurse fills out an Anoto enabled paper form with a pen, then when it is put in the cradle, the form is sent to whereever it needs to go.
Read about the Anoto technology, it is pretty interesting.
I've seen this pen in use for about nine months. (A friend works at LeapFrog, and I sometimes stopped by to pick her up after work.) And I have to say: It's pretty freaking cool. A few points:
* It doesn't compete (as some commenters have said) with Palm devices or general-purpose computers. Its real competitors are those "toy" computers, electronic learning tools... that is, LeapFrog's other products! It's more a grandchild of the Speak 'n' Spell than the Apple II.
* As a product, it's kind of hard to "get" until demo'd... and then you get it immediately. If I were running the company's PR department I'd launch an aggressive journalist demo program. I did something similar with Globalstar satellite phones as a client... yeah, the company tanked, but we scored some GREAT press in the targeted marine sector. It's a similar product at base: a new, untested solution in a well-established market.
* IMHO, the real application for Fly is outside children's education. For example: Real Estate appraisers and construction pros could draw a room's layout on ordinary-feeling paper and get back square footage, price per square foot, materials needed, etc.
* I can't wait for it to be hacked. Slashdotters, your kids don't need Fly: YOU do.
Tom Geller