LEAPFROG TACKLES READING AND WRITING

LeapReader, $50 for starter kit,

www.leapfrog.com

For years, LeapFrog has developed tools to help children learn to read. Now, the company is turning to the second of the three R's: writing.

LeapFrog's newest device, the LeapReader, is an update of its Tag Reading System, a chunky electronic stylus that sounds out words printed in LeapFrog books. The LeapReader, aimed at children ages 4 to 8, takes the lesson a bit further by instructing young learners to trace letters, encouraging them to then write their own and correcting them if the letters go astray.

The pen contains 256 megabytes of memory, enough to hold up to 40 audiobooks or 175 songs, available from LeapFrog's site.

Keeping in mind that children like to play, too, LeapFrog developed the Creativity Camera, a case and app that work with an iPhone or iPod Touch. Once the device is locked inside the protective case, the app uses the device's camera to take pictures, which can then be edited and morphed to create funny faces.

The LeapReader starter kit, which comes with a sample activity book, is $50. Additional books are about $12 to $20. The Creativity Camera case costs $20, and the app is free.

A TABLET FOR 3-D, MINUS THE SPECTACLES

Neo3do, $350, www.neo3do.com

The Neo3do tablet is for people who like 3-D but hate the glasses. It plays 3-D video and converts standard video into 3-D you can see without the goofy spectacles.

The 3-D effect is sometimes excellent; other times, far less so.

An impressive demonstration used a clip from the 3-D Blu-ray version of the movie "Predator." It also worked very well with games like Angry Birds Rio and Fruit Ninja, but streaming videos from the Web were less predictable.

This device is also a competent little tablet with an 8-inch screen and Android operating system. It has all of the familiar Google services, such as Gmail, Maps, Messenger and YouTube.

Using the 3-D features takes a couple of steps. For games, you have to start a 3-D games app first. To watch streaming videos, you have to first start with the included jetVD app, then choose the video quality, then choose the 3-D player. When the video is running, you choose 3-D, then pick the correct format of the 3-D — side-by-side or over-and-under.

NEW YORK TIMES