Meet Swinxs
If you are looking for something a little different for the holidays this year, this portable “pod” helps up to 10 kids play physical, creative and educational games at home or on the go. It recognizes players through the use of colorful wristbands that communicate with the unit and track scores and profiles. Unlike the Wii, which also allows for some physical play, the Swinx doesn’t use a screen to create the game atmosphere.
Games can be downloaded for free from Swinx.com and are divided by age and type from traditional hide-and-seek to educational quizzes and adventure games and races.
The Swinx was named 2009 Game of the Year from Creative Child Magazine. The unit costs $150 and comes with 4 wristbands, a USB cable, an adaptor and 10 pre-installed games.
Walking Warrior
So, we techies are not known (stereotypically) for our outdoorsiness, health, or our exercise. Badai is hoping to change all that.
Badai has created a new pedometer and calorie counter set to entice the nerdiest among us. Basically the pedometer casts you as a Samurai and the more you walk the closer you get to conquering Japan. I think it’s more interesting than just a number counter for sure. I just don’t know how motivated one will be after they’ve conquered Japan once to reset and do it all over again.
Redbox to offer video game rentals
I’m a recent convert to the Redbox. Now, I am still a fan of downloading movies to my Tivo but sometimes my son wants to watch them over and over again. You just can’t beat the price.
Now Redbox is starting to test market renting video games in their kiosk units for $2/game. The first two sites are Wilmington, NC and Reno, NV. The kiosks will feature games from Wii, Playstation3, Playstation2, Xbox 360, and soon Nintendo DS.
The games will be $2 per night plus tax and can be kept for as long as they like, reverting to a sale after 25 nights. If the test goes well the program could expand nationwide.
PSP Go available Oct. 1
Sony’s new PSP go can download games, videos, music and more to an ultra-portable new 3.8 inch LCD screen handheld system. The system comes with 16GB flash memory. You can download content on the PlayStation Network or use built-in Bluetooth support to connect to a wireless headset and use Skype to talk with friends.
The device is 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the original PSP. It weighs about 5.6 ounces and has a USB 2.0 and Memory Stick Micro slot. The games will be smaller in size too. Called Minis, they will be capped at 100 MB or less for quick download over Wi-Fi. At least 50 games will be available by the end of the year, including Tetris and Sudoku
PSP go will cost about $250.
A Virtual Birthday Party
A new Wii game gives parents a “birthday party in a box” with the Birthday Party Bash from 2K. The program includes themed games, invitation and special offers from Duncan Hines Party City and Evite.
According to the company’s release:”In Birthday Party Bash, up to 12 party goers can whack, roll, splash, pop, scribble, climb, jump, and shimmy their way through more than 20 birthday games, including Piñata Blast, Duncan Hines Cake Stacker, Pin the Tail, Hot Potato and Birthday Blowout. The birthday boy or girl can also choose from ten party theme rooms to set the scene for an unforgettable bash, from “Pirates,” complete with sword and treasure chest, to “Princess,” with a royal castle, a fancy crown, and unicorn. When it’s time to break for cake, a lively rendition of the traditional “Happy Birthday” song will play for everyone to sing along in karaoke-style, with a virtual cake on screen.”
OK–I know birthday parties can be hard to plan, but I’m not sure about taking them virtual. What’s next? You can just hold them in SecondLife and no one actually has to leave their houses to attend.
At least with the Wii format, the kids may actually be physically active with more than just their thumbs, but at least chip in for some actual decorations and a cake, mom.
The program retails for $39.99 and includes 12 ready-to-mail invites, customized Evites, a guide to party planning, and coupons for Duncan Hines mixes and Party City.
Just be sure to have several Wii remotes or the party’s over.
Laser Version
Laser tag remains a staple in the game department for every kid, it’s about time we saw another development in the at home version of the activity.
Spy Lazer Chase is laser tag meets Spiderman. Forget dragging bulky plastic lasers around the house, all you need now is a wrist guard that fires when you clench your fist. The set also keeps track of how many of your five lives remain while you play. The set is about $30 (the best games usually include more than one set though, and thus more than two people).
This version doesn’t come with the average chest plate (usually part of the at home laser tag package) so hits will probably be a little more off and a little less accurate. But it’s never really that accurate, cheating by covering the chest plate has always been a dominant part of the game too.
Trivial Pursuit goes digital
The old boardgame favorite Trivial Pursuit is making its leap to the digital gaming world with EA Games. It will be available on all major gaming consoles including Xbox 360™, PlayStation®2, PLAYSTATION®3, and the Nintendo Wii™.
Players can play the “q-and-a” game in three modes: Classic, a single-player “Clear the Board,” or social multi-player “Facts and Friends.”
For the ultra-competitive player there’s this feature:
The game’s profile feature allows an ultra-competitive player to track and analyze performance statistics, such as the number of games won, a player’s best category, and the percentage of questions answered correctly in each category. This feature also compares a player’s strengths and weaknesses versus those of the opponents. Additionally, a ticker rolls at the bottom of the screen throughout game-play, keeping players informed about how they stack up against the competition.
The game will sell for $39.99 on most systems, except Playstation II which will retail for $29.99.
You can also get your fix at Pogo.com playing TRIVIAL PURSUIT Daily 20 for free
A mobile version of the game will also launch on the iPhone later this month and soon on Facebook, too.
Happy Birthday, Apple!
Yes, the iconic computer empire that started with the Apple Macintosh is turning 25 this weekend. I still remember my first encounter with a Mac–an Apple IIe–at my dad’s house when I was a tween. At that age, my only concern was for what games a computer could play and this one had Dark Castle. (Check out this link to unlock a hidden Dark Castle easter egg on your iPhone that has been reworked for touch-screens)
When I first began teaching in 1998, my classroom had a Mac that was almost as old as that first one I had seen nearly a decade before–and just as slow. Now, I have an eMac that I deperately need to replace. I’m eyeing the latest iMacs. Yes, Macs have been a part of my life for nearly two decades now.
Of course Apple isn’t just computers anymore. iPhones, iPods and more are shaping the new Apple. Even with Steve Jobs recent health issues, the company is sure to be setting trends for years to come.
Have your own vintage Mac memory? Share it at CNN iReport.
It’s that lack of time again
It’s no small secret that the computer can hinder work (homework in particular) as much as it can enhance it. In honor of the numerous procrastinators everywhere here are my top three choices for tools of procrastination (at least at the moment):
1) Facebook. This should be no surprise to most people. Beyond updating one’s own profile, fooling with any of the, what feels like billions, of available applications, there’s also the ever time wasting habit of “facebook stalking”. In other words, surfing through the pages of friends and acquaintances to check out any new dirt in areas including (but not limited to) status, pictures, and relationship. With a plethora of possibilities facebook is all but procrastination heaven.
2) Imdb. That’s right, the internet movie database. I’m a movie buff, so it’s not for everyone, but for me, it’s a key visit when I need a little (or a not so little) break. Beyond the gossip centered news section I can search for information on upcoming movies or on favorite stars future projects. If I’m really settling in for a long visit the “Trivia” link is always entertaining at the top of a stars page, so too is the “Goofs” link for certain movies. A little quote browsing too can pass the time nicely.
3) MacBrickout. I tend to change my procrastination game from time to time, but now it’s MacBrickout. It’s addictive (as most of my procrastination oriented games are) and is also downloadable, which makes it particularly convenient when a wireless internet connection is unavailable. It’s a simple premise, anyone can play. Slide a paddle along the bottom of the screen (like pong) to keep a ball bouncing and clear all the bricks to pass to the next level. To make it even more interesting capsules and bubbles fall from the ceiling that can do anything from raise your score to cause your paddle to disappear. The shareware version can be downloaded for free.
Meeting the Mouse (and I don’t mean Mickey!)
First there was walking. Then there was potty training. And now there is another big milestone in the lives of children—using a mouse. This week, my 3-year-old began to master the mouse.
For my generation we were in school before we ever saw a computer, much less used a mouse. For my kids, however, it is essential to their lives. My son has been around computers since I nursed him at the keyboard while typing one-handed, but this week he went from watcher to doer.
DS is left-handed so I made sure to move the mouse to the other side of the keyboard to make it easier. We also have a small-sized mouse that does not require clicking a special button, although you can put a star on the right place to help them figure it out.
You can also slow down the tracking speed and clicking speed on your mouse to help them. On a Mac, you can find it in your “System Preferences” under “Keyboard and Mouse.” On Windows, it is in your “Control Panel” under “Mouse Properties.”
Another essential tip for introducing young children to the computer is to let them practice on websites designed for toddlers and young preschoolers.
Some of my favorites are Starfall, PBS Kids, Internet4Classrooms and Kneebouncers for the youngest of all.
These games typically have fewer “clickable” places preventing a lot of frustration for you and your kid. Also be sure to maximize the screen to prevent accidental jumps to other programs or * gasp * unsaved documents.
While I don’t want my son spending hours in front of the computer, letting him practice this skill while reinforcing his literacy or counting skills at interactive games is time well spent, especially if it means I get dinner on the table!
