EIGHT PRODUCTS AND TWO INDIVIDUALS TO BE AWARDED THE KIDS AT PLAY INTERACTIVE “KAPi” AWARD AT CES 2012
See the complete narrative on the awards, here.
New York City, December 12, 2011 – The third annual Kids at Play Interactive – “KAPi” award winners were announced today recognizing the most innovative games, software, devices and apps for engaging, entertaining and educating today’s children. The KAPi Award ceremony will take place at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas on January 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fashion Show Mall.
A jury that consisted of 13 industry and editorial experts started with 635 children’s technology products released in 2011 in order to select the winners. Judges were looking for products that raise the bar for understanding of children and how they play and learn, combined with innovative use of technology and design excellence. Read the rest of this entry »
April 1, 2011, Redmond Washington. Microsoft Corp. today announced a significant upgrade to Windows Media Player, hailed by many as a breakthrough for combining hardware and software. “Finally! Smooth video on a Windows machine! Just turn it on and it works” said Bill Gates, who came out of retirement specifically for the announcement. “We asked our engineers to come up with a great solution that was affordable and reliable. They knocked it out of the ballpark.” The base-level Platinum package features a 17 inch high-gloss screen, turned off to provide a contrasting background, and a 6 cell battery for heft, to resist jolts. The dampened hinge tilts front or back, making it easy to find the right glare-free angle, for vertical and landscape viewing.
What’s next from Vtech, following last year’s MobiGo? An $80 touch tablet-like platform, called InnoPad, designed for ages 4-9. Features include a 5” LCD touch screen, a tilt-sensor, microphone, headphone jack, SD card storage and a USB connection to a computer for downloading additional content.
Software will come on $25 cartridges, and will include E-books that feature Toy Story, Dora the Explorer and Disney Princesses, a music player, games and an Art Studio with painting and drawing applications, for use with either fingers or the included stylus. It also provides a Photo Viewer/Editor. There will be nine cartridges at launch, plus an MP3 player for both videos or songs, a Calculator, Calendar, Notepad, Clock with personalized voice alarm and Friends Address Book.
Visit www.vtechkids.com/download to see a list of downloadable content. VTech promises “over 100″ download titles by the end of this year. A Learning Lodge Navigator is designed to track progress.
Here’s a press release and image released by the ESRB today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2010
ESRB RELEASES MOBILE APP THAT LETS PARENTS FIND RATING SUMMARIES BY TAKING A PHOTO OF THE GAME BOX
New iPhone® and AndroidTM Apps Give Parents Simple Way to Get Detailed Information about Video Games
Just in Time for Holiday Shopping
NINE PRODUCTS AND TWO INDIVIDUALS WIN THE KIDS AT PLAY INTERACTIVE “KAPi” AWARDS AT CES 2011
New York City, December 9, 2010 – The second annual Kids at Play Interactive – “KAPi” award winners were announced today recognizing the most innovative games, software, devices and apps for educating today’s digital children. The KAPi Award ceremony will take place at 2011 International CES in Las Vegas on January 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Fashion Show Mall.
More than 500 children’s technology products, each released in 2010, were considered for the KAPi Awards program, and were evaluated by an independent jury of industry and editorial experts. The judges were looking for products that raise the bar for innovation and design excellence.
The KAPi Award winners are:
GameStar Mechanic is a well-designed game creation toolkit that took five years to create after being passed from grant-to-grant, between non-profits and for-profits. Last month, it was released, so we did a review.
We found it to be easy to sign in and play, but also noted that it uses a velvet rope model (also known in the industry as “freemium”), in combination with the practice of automatically renewing your credit card at the end of your subscription term. The cost is certainly reasonable, at $6/month for the home version, however, you have to make sure you cancel in order to avoid being charged. In addition, after a few days, you can’t get a refund.
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, FreeFor 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
**PRESS RELEASE COPY**
KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE LAUNCHES FACEBOOK GAME THAT CONNECTS MOM’S GAMING EXPERIENCE TO CHILD’S LEARNING
LOS ANGELES – July 22, 2010 – Knowledge Adventure, creators of JumpStart and the innovator in adventure-based learning games for children, launches SPA ADVENTURE, the first Facebook game that includes the “JumpStart Connect” platform, a new technology that allows moms to have fun and earn rewards which their kids can redeem at JumpStart.com, an educational world for children. “With social gaming at an all-time high for adults, we wanted a seamless way to engage the player on Facebook that will be fun and benefit their children,” said David Lord, President and CEO, Knowledge Adventure. “Knowledge Adventure plans to extend the connection between the parent and child interactive gaming experience in the upcoming months, allowing parents to take an even more active role in their children’s game play and education.” SPA ADVENTURE, www.Adventure.com, invites players to design and run a relaxing, resort-style virtual spa. As one of the first Facebook games offered in true 3D, SPA ADVENTURE features addictive gameplay and amazing graphics. As mom enjoys social gaming with her friends on Facebook, she’ll be able to do much more than just rack up virtual currency and send stream posts; she’ll be able to enhance her child’s learning. How it works: After signing in using their Facebook and JumpStart accounts, parents who play SPA ADVENTURE will be able to earn coins and other virtual prizes to send to their kids at JumpStart.com. When their kids log in to play their favorite learning games, they’ll find bonuses sent from their parents! For additional information about SPA ADVENTURE, please visit www.adventure.com. About Knowledge Adventure Since 1991, Knowledge Adventure® has set the standard in kids’ gaming by creating the finest educational products for use in the home and the classroom. Today, Knowledge Adventure’s JumpStart® and MathBlaster® products invite kids to learn through endless gaming adventures in 3D virtual worlds. By blending learning and entertainment, Knowledge Adventure’s adventure-based learning inspires kids’ minds through immersed play. A subsidiary of Knowledge Holdings, Inc., the company is privately-held and based in Torrance, California. For more information, go to www.knowledgeadventure.com and www.jumpstart.com. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. Wii Balance Board accessory sold separately with Wii Fit Plus™.