Monday
Jul202009
Answering the Call
Monday, July 20, 2009 at 02:52PM
"Mom, can I play with your phone?"
I might've spent several hours of my childhood "playing telephone" in my dad's office, but I could never have imagined that simple device would evolve into such an advanced technological toy – much less be able to tell me whether there's a Chili's in Encino, plot a course for a play date, help me level the Foosball table and, of course, track down my favorite Cyndi Lauper tune of all time. Oh, and I can call people on it, too – and if I don't feel like talking to them, I can type a message.
I know I'm sounding a bit old-fogeyish here, but when I think about how far we've come since the days of rotary dials and "receivers," our cell phones today are pretty astounding.
I know there are some great applications and games for the BlackBerry and other "communication devices" – and I'll try to track them down and offer a report in the near future. But for the iPhone lovers such as myself, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to adding games and applications that the kids love, too. However, when we're locked in the doctor's office or waiting in an endless line with empty stomachs, my iPhone comes galloping out of my purse like a knight on a white horse.
The latest app I just added is for Jack, who loves the games but is even more mesmerized by video (but don't always have time to hunt and peck out a good Yo Gabba Gabba episode on Youtube). Sprout Player comes from the reliable folks at PBS Kids Sprout, the preschool-oriented on-demand TV channel. This free app offers a simple video player with audio instructions that guide youngsters to short videos from Sprout's programming lineup. Sprout Player is the second Sprout application, following the popular Dress Chica, a free interactive game that has kids selecting scarves and hats and making Chica chirp and dance by giving the phone a shake – definitely one for outdoors or a busy area rather than a waiting room.
I might've spent several hours of my childhood "playing telephone" in my dad's office, but I could never have imagined that simple device would evolve into such an advanced technological toy – much less be able to tell me whether there's a Chili's in Encino, plot a course for a play date, help me level the Foosball table and, of course, track down my favorite Cyndi Lauper tune of all time. Oh, and I can call people on it, too – and if I don't feel like talking to them, I can type a message.
I know I'm sounding a bit old-fogeyish here, but when I think about how far we've come since the days of rotary dials and "receivers," our cell phones today are pretty astounding.
I know there are some great applications and games for the BlackBerry and other "communication devices" – and I'll try to track them down and offer a report in the near future. But for the iPhone lovers such as myself, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to adding games and applications that the kids love, too. However, when we're locked in the doctor's office or waiting in an endless line with empty stomachs, my iPhone comes galloping out of my purse like a knight on a white horse.
The latest app I just added is for Jack, who loves the games but is even more mesmerized by video (but don't always have time to hunt and peck out a good Yo Gabba Gabba episode on Youtube). Sprout Player comes from the reliable folks at PBS Kids Sprout, the preschool-oriented on-demand TV channel. This free app offers a simple video player with audio instructions that guide youngsters to short videos from Sprout's programming lineup. Sprout Player is the second Sprout application, following the popular Dress Chica, a free interactive game that has kids selecting scarves and hats and making Chica chirp and dance by giving the phone a shake – definitely one for outdoors or a busy area rather than a waiting room.
tagged PBS Kids, Sprout, iPhone applications in Kid Management, Mom Stuff
PBS Kids, Sprout, iPhone applications in Kid Management, Mom Stuff