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.