LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7
March 9th, 2012 posted by Lisa

Based on themes in the last three Harry Potter books and the final four films, this single game, for nearly every platform, takes you through Harry Potter’s adventures in such places as Privet Drive in Little Whinging to Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade and Hogwarts, as well as new locations like Grimmauld Place. As you explore and collect LEGO parts, you prepare for the ultimate battle against Lord Voldemort. The game builds upon the gameplay, lessons and potion-making skills learned in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 to equip you with the tools necessary to challenge new and old enemies (including He Who Must Not Be Named). Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Nerf Digital Camera
December 20th, 2011 posted by Lisa

This 2.1 megapixel digital camera comes with a 1.5 inch LCD preview screen and uses three AAA batteries, not included. The interface is confusing to use. Features include a flash and a digital zoom. The camera connects to your computer with the included USB cable. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Kid-Tough See Yourself Digital Camera
October 7th, 2011 posted by Lisa

The Kid-Tough See Yourself Digital Camera from Fisher-Price (in stores now, $70, www.fisher-price.com) features a swiveling lens. So your child can take a traditional front-facing snapshot, or flip the lens 180 degrees toward something of greater interest — their face. An SD expansion slot augments the onboard 256 MB of memory, and the 1.8″ color preview screen makes it easy to review pictures, crop photos, or edit on the fly with a set of playful face-warping tools. It is also easy to toggle the camera into video mode, making this a handy digital camcorder. The 4 AA batteries are preserved with an auto-off mode. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



HearBuilder Software Series
September 9th, 2011 posted by Lisa

This CD based series of four titles features a set of exercises drill with arcade-style games. There are four titles: Phonological Awareness, Following Directions, Sequencing, and Auditory Memory. In Phonological Awareness, children play instruments and form a rock band while learning to segment, blend and manipulate sounds. In Sequencing, children are shown a set of cards depicting an event, such as building a snowman, and are asked to drag and drop the cards in the correct order. The cards contain print, which can be read outloud as each word is highlighted. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
June 22nd, 2011 posted by Lisa

This sequel to “StarWars: The Force Unleashed”  (2008) is a “hurriedly thought out excuse for you to plow through a bunch of Storm Troopers” according to Chris, our intern tester. He reported “if you wanted to, you could skip all the cut scenes and really not miss anything. And this is coming from someone who tends to like cut scenes.” Even if a game is lacking a compelling story, it can still be fun. There’s something cathartic about slashing your way through wave after wave of essentially defenseless enemies. Aside from learning a few new attacks here and there things can get old. The bottom line? This edition isn’t as good as its predecessor. While this game had its moments and might be worth a borrow, it’s hard to justify the investment.
Teaches: fighting, timing, logic. LucasArts. www.lucasarts.com, $30. Best for ages 8-up.
Rating: ★★★★☆ or .775%



Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure
January 11th, 2011 posted by Lisa

This collection of 16 tightly scripted, one player games is designed to introduce typical school readiness concepts to a young child. In the Wii version, children hold the Wii Remote like handlebars. Note that this is one of two new Sesame Street titles. The other is Sesame Street: Cookies Counting Carnival. Both run on Wii, Windows and DS. This title features Elmo and Zoe. Extras include a “Wii Gameplay Helper” — a soft cover for your Wii remote that hides buttons. Using this is optional. The DS version includes a Sesame Street stylus; also not required to play the game. After you pick one of the four player profiles, you start exploring the Zoo. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny
January 10th, 2011 posted by Lisa

In the story, FBI agent Nicole Bonnet (a young women) receives a mysterious package with a complex puzzle inside that appears to be a message from a serial killer. This killer leaves playing cards near the bodies of his victims. You must help Nicole solve the case and prevent the murderer from killing again by decoding the meaning of the messages, following the trail, and gathering evidence. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Smarty Ants
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Put a phonics teacher inside your preschooler’s plush toy, with Smarty Ants, a $30 talking dog designed to teach early reading essentials.  Borrowing from the Webkinz model, the $30 toy comes with one month of free content (a code is included) that gives your child access to a virtual world, called Smarty Ants Reading World (designed by Two Fish). Once you’ve setup your child’s account, they can steer an avatar representation of their dog inside the world, take a pre-test, and play games. You can  then adjust the content inside the plush toy to your child’s level, by plugging it into your computer with the included USB plug and customizing the level. Currently there are two animals — a white dog and a husky.  Both have a moving mouth and robotic neck. The sound is clear. Powered by three AA batteries (included).  Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

This is a collection of early math (counting, sorting and patterns) activities, introduced by Cookie Monster and Big Bird in a carnival setting. While your kids will like the narration and find the Sesame Street characters to be “as seen on TV”,  this title is so overly scripted that any joy is removed from the games. This is one of two titles in a series. The other is Elmo’s A-to-Z Adventure. Developed by Black Lantern Studios for Warner Bros. Interactive. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Sesame Street Video USB
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

When does a TV show become a fashion accessory? When you load it onto a specially designed, rubbery USB that doubles as a bracelet, that’s when. Flash-drive manufacturer ATP Electronics (http://sesamestreet.atpinc.com/) has partnered with Sesame Street, to create a line of seven $25 flash drives, each containing an episode taken from the Sesame Street home video collection, and themed after a Sesame Street character. Currently, the collection includes Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Ernie, Abby Cadabby and the Sesame Street sign. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Featuring a darker theme and limited game play, this mostly one player action adventure lets you explore a beautiful 3D rendition of the Deathly Hallows, as Harry Potter. Content includes 12 levels, with eight types of spells. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Help Dora and Boots get out of Wizzle World and make it to Dora’s birthday party on time. In the Wii version, you hold the Wii controller like handlebars to jump, climb, swing through a forest and slide down a mountain. In the DS version, you will trace, tap, shout and scribble your way through challenges, such as riding a unicorn over the rainbow, floating in a magic bubble across Sea Snake Lake and traveling through mystical lands including the Dancing Forest. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Create
December 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

This inventor’s toolkit lets you mix various objects such as basketballs, ropes, ramps and rockets in order to reach a goal, such as to get an ice cream truck through a flaming hoop. Like “The Incredible Machine,” each puzzle has multiple solutions, and increases in difficulty as you play. The goal is to earn spark points by solving mechanical puzzles. Each set of puzzles is found on a themed island that is floating on a cloud. For example, on the transportation island you use a ramp and a rocket to  get a moving truck across a bridge. Other islands deal with outer space or a circus. The program was made by EA’s UK-based Bright Light Studio. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Nancy Drew: Shadow at the Water’s Edge
October 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

There aren’t many mysteries when it comes to the design of this 23rd interactive edition from the Nancy Drew series. This time, Nancy is off to Japan, where she meets up with friends Bess and George and tries to figure out why a ghost has been scaring away the guests of a hotel.  As you explore, you pick up some authentic Japanese culture, trying your hand at origami, a tea ceremony, and calligraphy. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
October 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 features levels inspired by the first four Harry Potter stories. Designed with TT’s  famous drop in, drop out interactivity (so you can explore and collaborate with a second player). As you explore, you can do more than walk — you can can also drive a cart and fly a broom. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



FIFA Soccer 11
October 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Testers found this year’s FIFA Soccer 11 to be more realistic and hard to stop playing. New features include the ability to compete 11 versus 11 in online play, with control of all 22 players in your hands, including the goalie.  The game also introduces new Pro Passing where pass accuracy is determined by your ability on the control pad, and player skill, situation, and urgency on the pitch. Prices are $60 for Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, $50 for the Wii, $40 for PS2 and PSP, and $30 for Nintendo DS. We tested the PS3 verison. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Press Release: School Zone Joins Intel AppUp
October 1st, 2010 posted by buckleit

Ahead of the Curve: School Zone Joins Intel® AppUp Developer Program

Leading Publisher of Educational Products One of the First to Launch New Downloadable Apps from New Intel AppUpSM Center
GRAND HAVEN, MI.—October 1, 2010—School Zone, the world’s leader in children’s educational products, announces that it has joined the Intel® AppUpSM Developer Program and will now have a downloadable presence on Intel®  Atom™ processor-powered devices.  One of the most respected and high profile publishers in the industry, School Zone is among an exclusive selection of software developers to launch applications along with the new Intel AppUpSM center, which moved from beta to general release on September 14, 2010.  School Zone will be one of the first to offer its signature learning games and innovative Pencil-Pal and Flash Action software available for download to Intel Atom processor-based netbooks which retail from $250.

School Zone’s Intel AppUp center collection is designed to aid children from preschool through third grade-levels in gaining fundamental math and reading skills through its award-winning interactive technology. These 15 downloadable applications are designed to modernize the traditional pencil-and-paper workbook curriculum, as well as excite and engage the minds of school-aged Intel consumers. With a platform rich with animation, sound and graphics, School Zone’s apps offer a multi-dimensional method of education.

“Through this new level of School Zone software, we will be able to provide any young mind utilizing a device powered by the Intel Atom processor with an enriched learning experience through the Intel AppUp center’s simple download process,” says Jonathan Hoffman, president and CEO.

School Zone’s 15 new Intel AppUp applications help children sharpen their skills with games, dot-to-dot puzzles, educational videos, drawing and coloring activities as well as jokes and riddles, all with animated characters, audio prompts, encouragement, colorful graphics and delightful music.

These robust applications have been created for the early learning developmental stages, ages 3-8.  Rich with research-based content, the applications utilize educationally sound learning styles and techniques, cover more than one educational topic and offer depth in the skills they teach as well as in the activities.
The titles include:
· Time, Money & Fractions On-Track, $9.99
· Alphabet Express, $9.99
· Math 1-2, $ 9.99
· Spelling 1-2, $9.99
· Preschool Pencil-Pal Learning Game, $7.99
· Kindergarten Pencil-Pal Learning Game, $7.99
· First Grade Pencil-Pal Learning Game, $7.99
· Phonics Pencil-Pal Learning Game, $7.99
· Phonics Made Easy Flash Action, $4.99
· Addition & Subtraction Flash Action, $4.99
· Multiplication & Division Flash Action, $4.99
· Colors, Shapes and More Flash Action, $4.99
· Alphabet and Numbers Flash Action, $4.99
· Memory Match Game, $0.99
· Square Off Game, Free

For more information on all School Zone Publishing products please visit www.schoolzone.com <http://www.schoolzone.com/> . To schedule an interview with School Zone Publishing’s CEO, Jonathan Hoffman, please contact Kristina Godfrey of Junger-Godfrey PR at 949.720.7062 or Kristina@kjunger.com.

About School Zone
Based in Grand Haven, Michigan, School Zone Publishing Company is a leading publisher of educational materials for children, including workbooks, flash cards, software and downloadable apps for Mac and PC platforms.  School Zone has more than 60 educational software titles, making it the world’s leader in educational software for children.  School Zone also publishes 250 workbook and flashcard titles.  For more information, visit www.schoolzone.com <http://www.schoolzone.com> .

#             #             #

Kristina Godfrey
Junger-Godfrey PR
949.720.7062
kristina@kjunger.com



World Book Early World of Learning
September 13th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Early World of Learning, found at http://www.worldbookonline.com/ewol/home, is a collection of several hundred flash-based stories, animated poems and simple games. The site is organized into three parts: Trek’s Travels (stories, games, and videos on vocabulary and reading comprehension); Welcome to Reading (phonics, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and comprehension); and Know It (a children’s encyclopedia). The site was created in consultation with University of Maryland’s Rebecca Silverman. Features include: Story narration by human voices of different genders and ethnicity;  Word-by-word highlighting to foster development of literacy skills; Comprehension games; Printable activities in English or Spanish for use in the classroom or to take home; and Classic children’s stories, nursery rhymes, and songs, which can be downloaded to an MP3 player for children who may not be read to at home, or who would like extra reading time. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



PBS Kids Play! (www.pbskidsplay.org)
September 13th, 2010 posted by Lisa

This year’s edition is based entirely in Flash, so no downloads or installations are needed. All you need is a Mac or Windows computer and a speedy web connection.There’s also a new three room menu that puts all the content within a click, making it much easier for a young child to get out of whatever he or she gets into. Unlike Nick’s www.mynoggin.com or Disney’s www.preschooltime.com, no credit card commitment is needed. You get 15 days free — no strings or codes; a practice that is refreshing and respectful of busy parents. That also makes it easy to have a look for yourself, which we recommend. Note that there’s a new $500/year classroom edition option that makes it possible to track the progress for an entire classroom of kids, for up to a year, for either home or classroom access (each child gets his or her own login).  Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



LPSO (Littlest Pet Shop Online) Starter Pack
September 10th, 2010 posted by Lisa

The LPSO Starter Pack includes a 1 inch tall  rubber figurine, with a code that you type in at www.LPSO.com to upgrade your membership from “basic” to “premium” for 30 days. So you can create a virtual pet, decorate your pet’s home, chat with friends, and play all the mini games. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Echo Smartpen
September 10th, 2010 posted by Lisa

It’s always nice to see things get more powerful and cheaper at the same time. The Echo, now two years newer than the two-year old Pulse is also designed to work with standard headphones. The lithium-ion battery, Java-powered recorder that is just a bit fatter than a Sharpie marker, with a tiny camera in its tip that can detect a faint pattern of dots to give the pen its bearings. Without this special paper, you’re left with an old fashioned, rather expensive pen, however.  Here’s a summary of the three biggest features: a) It can capture everything you write and “replay” it on a Windows or Macintosh computer screen; b) It can record large amounts of extremely clear stereo audio (up to 100 hours for the 1GB model and 200 hours for the 2 GB model); and c) It can associate written notes with the sounds that are going on, at the exact instant the marks on the page were made. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Zoodles
August 11th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Zoodles is an Adobe-air based app that is designed to put pre-selected materials at your child’s fingertips; while keeping everything else out.  The idea is to provide a safe, virtual playground that can be adjusted to your child’s age and skills. Once it’s installed on your Mac or Windows computer, your child sees games from popular children’s sites like PBS Kids and Starfall.com, stripped of any advertising content. The service is free for the basic service; the Premium Membership is $6/month. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Transformers: War for Cybertron
August 11th, 2010 posted by Lisa

We tried the PS3 version of this game (with a load time of nearly 10 minutes!) and found the game to deliver on the kinds of battles you’d expect to find in a Transformers game. In the story, your goal is become the ultimate weapon as a Transformers character in the final, epic war that will determine the survival of their entire race. Features include a variety of weapons, and the ability to convert from robot to vehicle at any time for air or land battles. There are different multiplayer modes and you can play through story missions, using the drop in/drop out online co-op play. Prices are $60 for Xbox 360 and PS3, and $40 for PC. There are also two versions available for the Nintendo DS — Transformers: War for Cybertron Autobots and Transformers: War for Cybertron Decepticons, rated E10+ and priced at $30 each. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Seek Your Own Proof
August 11th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Seek Your Own Proof is a web-delivered detective adventure that follows the story of three investigative siblings – Aidan, Milanie, and Heiko Munro on a series of missions. Each Flash-based mission is sold for $4 (the first one is free, after you register); or you can buy ten for $20. Created by Canadian-based Rocketfuel Productions, in partnership with Discovery Kids. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Leapfrog Interactive United States Map
August 11th, 2010 posted by Lisa

The size of a typical door mat, this folding cardboard map of the United States has been coded to work with the $50 Tag Reading System — Leapfrog’s fat, talking stylus which has been out for several years. The stylus is not included in the $20 price of the map, and using the interactive features requires downloading and installing Leapfrog’s free, 50 MB or so “Leapfrog Connect” software utility on your Mac or Windows computer. This is required, along with a USB connection to transfer the audio files to your Tag. This process takes about 30 minutes, and only has to be done once.  The map has two sides — each with two modes of play and several hide-and-seek types of games. One side deals more with state identification and the capitals, and the other has cultural highlights, with snippets of state related trivia, and music. Both sides feature a racing game, where you try to touch as many states or capitals before the music runs out.  Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Disney Pixar The World of Cars Online (www.worldofcars.com)
August 11th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Fresh from Disney, a children’s virtual world based on the movie Cars, making it possible to drive into Radiator Springs, chat with other car avatars, enter races, or just explore. If you have a Mac or Windows computer, you can have a car up and running by the time you finish this article by visiting www.worldofcars.com. There are three areas to explore, each with a different theme, stores and four player racetrack. Features include two types of chat, the ability to make friends and have private chat sessions, and subscription access to special areas of the world. In addition, Mattel is selling a set of die cast vehicles that come with special race codes. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3: The Video Game
July 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

In this game, you play as Buzz, Woody or Jessie as you run, ride and fly through scenes inspired by the film. For example, in one scene, you jump along the cars of a moving train, ducking under low poles or swinging buckets, and navigating across train cars with moving logs. You can complete missions to earn rewards such as gold and new customizations, and purchase new toys with your virtual earnings. Or you can customize new buildings, and then change how they look with paint and accessories. A “Toy Box” mode lets you add new characters and game elements. Developed by Avalanche Software for Disney Interactive. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Split/Second
June 8th, 2010 posted by Lisa

This action-arcade racing game is set within a reality TV show, in a made-for-TV city. As you race, you try to collide with other vehicles to send them off the track, in order to trigger events that change the race.  The game features a variety of game modes in 2-player split screen, along with online racing for up to eight players. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Kung Fu Panda World (www.kungfupandaworld.com)
May 10th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Kung Fu Panda World (KFPW) is a richly animated Flash-10 based online destination for children aged 8-up that is free to register and play, or available as a subscription for $6/month sans commercials. In many ways, the site resembles a “design your own avatar, explore a movie-themed world” type of experience.

After you register, you can design your own avatar and start exploring the first levels of the game. A sponsored play game model lets you play for free, as long as you watch a commercial for a “kid friendly” sponsor like McDonalds. If you subscribe, you can skip the commercial and reach the highest levels of the game. There is no in-game commercial content. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



James Cameron’s Avatar The Game
April 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

In Avatar The Game, you either fight with the Na’vi, Pandora’s indigenous people, or against them, as a soldier of the RDA Corporation, using customizable weapons or clan-specific skills. As you unlock levels, you acquire new skills. You can also create your own character, drive the vehicles and ride the animals of Pandora. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Alice 3
April 14th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Named after the main character in “Alice in Wonderland”, Alice has recently been upgraded.
Like MIT’s Scratch and Alan Kay’s Squeak, Alice is a free programming language for children that can be downloaded and installed on a Macintosh, Windows or Linux computer. It is designed to turn programming into a drag-and-drop process. Alice was funded by Electronic Arts, Sun Microsystems, DARPA, Intel, Microsoft, NSF, and ONR. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Pony Friends 2
March 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Easy and fun to play, Pony Friends 2 gives you what you’d hope for in a virtual horse game. After you customize and name your pony, you can earn points with good care, love, and winning at contests. In the Wii version, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk become the reins. Lift one higher to turn, or pull back to stop. We did not test the PC or DS versions, although we did notice that the DS version lets you talk to your horse using the microphone. Created by Tantalus and Eidos for Square Enix. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Fantage (www.fantage.com)
March 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Fantage, or “fantastic age” is a responsive, safe and no-fail MMO that resembles Club Penguin back in the good old days, minus the penguins. The Fantage theme is a bit like Disneyland with nine-themed areas, including a castle, a forest, a lighthouse, uptown, downtown and others. In each you can chat (freely but filtered) with others, invite others to become friends, decorate your room, or play 11 Flash-based games. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.



Disney Alice in Wonderland
March 9th, 2010 posted by Lisa

As in many scavenger hunt types of games, you explore, earning points and health by smashing statues, park benches, and hedges as you try to find your way to the next level. You can also become one of five Alice in Wonderland characters; each with different attributes. Note that the DS version has a very different design than the Wii version. It requires reading, and uses a different animation style; not like the movie. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Zon (www.enterzon.com)
February 23rd, 2010 posted by Lisa

Zon is a free (registration required) virtual world — or MMOG — designed to teach English speakers Chinese language and culture through games and chat. There are five levels of play. First, you design your avatar, and then become a tourist at the Beijing Airport. You must pass through customs and get to your hotel, while completing challenges designed to accomplish various tasks.

You start by exploring to learn about myths and legends, investigating famous temples or shopping in public markets. Players can advance to rent apartments, buy a car, or own their own business. The site was funded by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) and Michigan State University. Disclaimer: I (Warren Buckleitner) went to this graduate school; one of the principle designers was on my doctoral committee. Learn more at www.enterzon.com. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Wonder Rotunda (www.wonderrotunda.com)
February 23rd, 2010 posted by Lisa

Great science and ecology content is combined with low levels of interactivity and a didactic presentation in Wonder Rotunda (www.wonderrotunda.com), a subscription-based ($45/year) web delivered service first released in the summer of 2009. In order to make the site work, you need a Flash-enabled browser and a credit card. No other software or downloads are required. We evaluated the service using a complimentary password provided by the publisher.

After you create a male or female character to represent yourself in the game show portion of the experience, you see a map representing 11 topics including: orchestra, rain forest, great barrier reef, American government, digestive system, Apollo 11, planet earth, kangaroos, healthy eating, the Serengeti and business adventure. By clicking on an area of the map, you launch a 20 minute or so animated adventure, in which pop-up facts appear. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Laserkey Projection Keyboard
February 21st, 2010 posted by buckleit

One of the more interesting things I spotted at CES 2010 was a keyboard made of light, formed by a red projected laser. At first I was a skeptic, so I put down my camera to give it a try. Yes, it does work, but it takes some getting used to. For one, I had to separate my letters, because it seemed that my fingers were casting shadows. Compared to my texting ability, however, my Laserkey typing was much faster. Clearly there’s some validity to this concept. The red laser diode keyboard comes in four languages (English, German, French, Korean) and is regular sized. It requires an opaque (not clear) surface, so don’t think of using it on a glass table or anything with a reflective surface. If a laser mouse will work, so will the keyboard. It is powered from your USB port, or an optional battery; and is designed to work with Microsoft Windows Mobile software, Palm OS 5.x, RIM OS (for the Blackberry), Windows, and Symbian OS s60 3rd Edition (for Nokia). Besides having some implications for student desktops or library tables, this type of device could have obvious use with a portable device or perhaps a living room. Teaches: a laser projected keyboard. Celluon. http://www.celluon.com/index.html, $190.



Kidos Computer
February 19th, 2010 posted by Lisa

Best described as a work in progress, Kidos, or “Kid Operated System” is an Adobe Air application that makes it possible to design your own desktop for your child (or children) by mixing parent-and expert selected videos, music, pictures and websites with a iTunes-like store. The store is how the service makes money, by making it easy for a parent to soup up the experience for a child, with a picture of a cute dog ($.50), a non-interactive storybook for $2 each, or a $10 musical album. The store uses a shopping cart model, and your credit card is billed automatically, iTunes style. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.



Deep Brain Stimulation and a Sponsor-Based Business Model
January 12th, 2010 posted by buckleit
edheadsbrain

A procedure in progress

MEET Ellen, a 59 year-old woman with advanced Parkinson’s Disease, waiting for you at http://www.edheads.org/activities/brain_stimulation/.  She’s the patient, you’re the surgeon. During a 20 minute or so procedure, your mouse becomes a shaver, scalpel, drill and swab, as you work through each step of Ellen’s brain surgery.  At the end, you can get a happy patient and a deeper understanding for what a real neurosurgeon does.

Read the rest of this entry »



World of Goo Review and Video
January 11th, 2010 posted by buckleit

This construction game for Windows, Mac and Wii lets you drag-and-drop sticky blobs to construct structures that look a bit like carbon molecules. You quickly learn which structures work best to solve a particular problem. On one puzzle, you must construct the highest tower using the fewest possible parts. Another presents you with a spinning set of teeth that requires a curved structure.
There’s a lot of different ways to solve the same problem, making this game addicting. Content includes 15 different varieties of blobs, each with different properties; enough to keep things interesting. Note that a Wii-Ware version is available, as a download. This is a fun way to introduce building dynamics to young science students. Created by 2D Boy (www.2dboy.com) for Brighter Minds Media. Winner of the 2010 KAPi Award. Teaches: science, creativity, building, physics, forces, potential energy. Brighter Minds Media, Inc. www.brightermindsmedia.com, $20. Best for ages 7-up.
Rating: ★★★★★ or .96%