Google made a bit of history today, opening up its universe of apps and services to users under 13 as their parents design it. Family Link, the name of the new parental control toolset, describes it well: Parents download the tools to their own and the kids' devices, then link them up for a whole family's real-time digital device management. Family Link "marks one of the first attempts by a … [Read more...] about Finally, kids can have their own Google accounts (with parents’ help)
Android
A YouTube for the littlest video viewers
Think of YouTube Kids as digital training wheels for the little video viewers at your house - something a lot of parents have been wanting for a very long time. We all know how popular but not always appropriate YouTube is for kids. Problem solved. Designed for kids through age 8, YouTube Kids carefully screens videos so the littlest online viewers can satisfy their seemingly over-active curiosity … [Read more...] about A YouTube for the littlest video viewers
Amazon’s Fire Phone could be a hot holiday item
Now there's a phone that puts the Amazon store and all that accompanying "retail therapy" right in people's pockets. It's a pretty slick looking little device, so here's fair warning to parents worried about kids getting caught up in consumer culture that you may see this on some wish lists. [Of course, this is not to say that Amazon.com with all its convenience isn't already in our pockets (and … [Read more...] about Amazon’s Fire Phone could be a hot holiday item
Mobile learning & edugames taking off worldwide
Whether it's the chicken or the egg – the device or the edugames – fueling the growth isn't completely clear, but "tablets are proliferating everywhere across the planet," said Sam Adkins, head of research for market research firm Ambient Insight, at the Serious Play Conference in Redmond, Wash., last week. He was referring to mobile learning – especially on tablets, where school's concerned – and … [Read more...] about Mobile learning & edugames taking off worldwide
‘Less is more’ for mobile teens
Wired speculates that, because some Asian texting apps – such as LINE, WeChat, Gangnam Style and Kakaotalk – have "slick user interfaces that focus on simplicity and visually pleasing graphics," these fast-growing apps will soon cross the Pacific, and at least one of them will take off in the US too. "Today, less is more." But Wired seems to contradict itself a bit, saying they're also adding … [Read more...] about ‘Less is more’ for mobile teens