This most innovative of tech-toy companies held a press preview of upcoming products earlier this week. In keeping with the "innovative" theme, the event took place in New York's New Museum, which is... a new museum, located on the formerly scary and possibly soon-to-be-fabulous Bowery.
The biggest news is Learning Path, a free, private online learning tool where parents can keep track of their kids' progress in reading, math, and so on, as they play with various LeapFrog toys--all the new ones will have USB connectivity, so data is easily uploadable.
More on Learning Path and the other new products after the jump!
I spoke with Marni Taradash (pictured above), Learning Path's executive producer, about the new site. Though it's a bit reminiscent of LeapTrack, LeapFrog's initial online foray, that tool was for schools and teachers; Learning Path is very much for parents. They can set up a profile for each kid and see how they're progressing generally ("reading basics," for example) or specifically ("word recognition"). The site will also give parents ideas on how to connect with kids and help them learn. It will be available for ages up to 7 this summer and ages 8 to 13 later in the year.
As for devices, the first (and coolest, IMO) is the Tag Reading System. (Lance Ulanoff saw a demo of the Tag at DEMO last week, and it made his personal top-ten list.) Taking a page (heh) from LeapFrog's first commercial product, the LeapPad Learning System, the Tag is all that great tech condensed down into a very portable pen-like device; it uses the same Anoto technology found in LeapFrog's FLY pen and others. Kids will merely press the pen's tip against words and pictures in the Tag books (some classics, some LeapFrog's own) to hear words and sounds. Thankfully, "Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise" will be a Tag book, and yes, gaseous sound effects will abound.
The Tag, for ages 4 to 8, will be available this summer; the device with a bundled book is $49.99, books are $13.99 each, and activity cards are $7.99. Check back here soon for a preview--yeah, we got one! [Update: Here's the link to our hands-on preview of the Tag Pen.]
Also coming this summer is the Leapster2 Learning Game System handheld, a more stylin' version of the first Leapster with the aforementioned USB connectivity and improved gameplay. For ages 4 to 8, that will go for $69.99. (Molly is playing on one in the picture above. Doesn't she look pleased?)
Finally, watch for a new handheld platform called the Didj Custom Gaming System. It's geared for an older set, kids 6 to 10, and lets them customize the games to fit their current schoolwork. They can also create custom avatars online and download them to the Didj. It will retail for $89.00; learning games (included Star Wars: The Clone Wars and a Nancy Drew title) are $29.99 a piece.
We'll be doing hands-on reviews of each of these products as they ship, so check back.
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