iFirehouse Product Review

iFirehouse Product Review

Yes, kids can now own and run a firehouse, albeit in a virtual environment. Thanks to the iFireman app, little boys (and maybe even little girls) can fully experience being a firefighter.

Features of iFirehouse

With iFirehouse, children will be given the run of a virtual firehouse, complete with virtual firefighters. The firehouse itself is comprised of a 6 rooms, each of them with specific functions and activities that kids can do.

Kids can customize each of these rooms just by switching through the available options. They can choose the paintjob they want done on the rooms and even shop for fire trucks. They can even personalize the firehouse's interior decoration by "inserting" photos that they have taken using the tablet on the photo frames hanging on the firehouse walls.

Children can also live vicariously as firefighters through the virtual dolls. Putting out fires and undergoing fire drills are a given. Of course, when there is no fire to put out, the virtual firefighters could carry on playing hopscotch at the yard or simply feeding the firehouse pet dog.

A separate iFirehouse play case has also been released to accompany this app. The case comes with small figurines of a little fireman, fire chief, or dog – take your pick. These figurines have corresponding codes that can be scanned and imported into the app to join your team of firefighters.

The iFirehouse app runs on iOS 5.0 or later on iPad, iPhones, and iPods.

Little boys – the target market of  iFirehouse – can indulge their fireman dreams through this game.

Price and Warranty

The iFirehouse play case costs $19.99, while the app can be bought from the iTunes store for only $0.99. There are no product warranties or guarantees, but you can contact Apple support if there are problems with the app.

Positive Points of the iFirehouse

Ease of use and convenience are important when designing games or toys for little children. The mere fact that there are no complicated setup tools and no small parts to assemble is to iFirehouse's credit. All you need is the app and the appropriate electronic device, and you're good to go.

Thanks to the iFirehouse case, parents can bring the app anywhere so their kids would have something to do. Its portability is enhanced by the addition of a handle, so even kids can lug it around without any problems. Since it primarily serves as a protective shell, it would also minimize damage or scratches on the device, a fact that is mostly inevitable considering how kids aren't usually the most conscientious when it comes to handling items.

The personalized settings of iFirehouse's environment is the major benefit obtained by children who play this game. It's like the iDollhouse, only this one is geared more towards little boys.

Negative Points of the Firehouse

Unfortunately, the only way to fully enjoy iFirehouse is through the use of Apple iPhones, iPads, or iPad tablets. It cannot run on tablets or electronic devices from other manufacturers.

Some also complain about how there aren't enough features to the game. It would seem as though there aren't a lot of things to do inside a firehouse, and that is not really an impression to give to young boys. It would have been better if there are other activities or events that can be performed by the virtual dolls. This is very important, considering the very short attention spans of small children.

What Other Customer Have to Say About iFirehouse

Children have the most active imaginations and little boys, in particular, are always on the lookout for new types of adventures. Most little boys harbor a secret wish to don the firefighting uniform and helmet and start fighting fires. That is basically the main attraction of iFirehouse among many parents.

There is also the fact that the iFirehouse app is not as expensive as other games currently being sold in the market. For less than $1, children can now spend hours and hours building their own virtual firehouse reality, improve their planning skills, and generally be little boys!

Should You Buy iFirehouse?

It's a no-brainer, really. For less than a dollar, you can have an interactive and fun game involving fires, fire trucks, firefighters and a firehouse, with a firehouse dog as a bonus! Even the Play Case, with its tiny figurines, is definitely worth your money.

Where to buy the iFirehouse

You can buy the iFirehouse app from the iTunes store. The iFirehouse Play Case, on the other hand, is available at the AppVentures website. It can also be purchased from website.

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BotSee Product Review

A tablet stand and an interactive toy with different personalities packaged like a robot. That is BotSee in a nutshell.

What is BotSee?

As a tablet stand, it comes with arms that can be adjusted accordingly to hold almost any kind of tablet securely in place. As a toy, it is interactive and stirs children's imaginations while increasing their learning ability. All you have to do is download the app and connect to BotSee. However, it remains functional even without using your tablet or iPad.

While BotSee may just appear to be a tablet stand it is in fact much more than that. Each BotSee is uniquely made and they learn and evolve while children play with them, so each one develops their own personalities.

Children will definitely have a ball going through the many game modes BotSee has to offer. In the spirit of combining entertainment and learning, the games are designed to stimulate children's learning processes.

For example, a food game will have the child has to pair images of various food items, thereby focusing on developing his or her cognitive recognition. The same is true with the alphabet game where BotSee will give a letter and the child would have to find the matching card. Or it could be the other way around: the child will indicate a specific letter, and BotSee will display a corresponding image. This give-and-take interaction is something you can associate with a teacher-student relationship.

The child will also be able to learn about colours through an interactive colouring game. Similarly, the child's ability to identify musical sounds created by different types of musical instruments would also be vastly improved. With just a simple tweak of the settings, you could make BotSee belt out "The Wheels on the Bus" with a saxophone and drums as accompaniment.

BotSee was designed with children 3 years old and above, or those in their early formative years, in mind.

How Much is the BotSee?

Digital entertainment producer and BotSee creator WowWee has not released any retail price for this product as of yet. BotSee's tentative date of release is the third quarter of 2013, specifically on August.

Are there Guarantees?

WowWee has not given any information yet as to any guarantees or warranties for this product.

Thumbs Up on the BotSee

So many toys these days come with features that are so advanced they are almost complicated to operate, especially for a 3- or 4-year old. BotSee, fortunately, is very kid-friendly. Operating BotSee does not require any use of a stylus or touch screen technology, so scratches or damage on the screen is not a cause for concern. With a simple turn of its ear, the child can switch through the different game modes and choose any game they want to play.

Portability is also a major thumbs up for BotSee, thanks to a handle at the back, allowing parents and children to bring it anywhere. Since it also comes with a storage case for the cards, losing them won't be a problem. The adjustability of the arms is a major plus, allowing it to be used with almost all types and sizes of tablets, regardless of the brand or manufacturer.

It is important for toys – especially educational ones – to capture the attention of children for them to be effective. The robot design of BotSee is cute, fun and colourful. It is also notable how the face of the robot can express various "emotions" with several eyebrow movements as well as colour changes in the eyes.

The child could also improve his pronunciation and enunciation of words, thanks to the speaking and sound feature of BotSee. Now THAT is truly interactive.

Thumbs Down on the BotSee

If there is one complaint against BotSee, it is the choice of material for the cards and cubes. They could have chosen a material more sturdy and child-proof than the paper that was used. They are prone to damage, especially in the hands of children.

More Customer Reviews for the BotSee

There are no customer reviews for this product yet. However, judging from the response during the sneak-peek for BotSee during the Toy Fair in February 2013, interest is high, especially among parents and teachers involved in early child development.

Is the BotSee Worth the Money?

The absence of a sales price makes it difficult to tell whether this is a good buy or not. Considering its benefits when it comes to your child's growth and development, however, any price would be well worth it.

Where Can You Buy BotSee?

Almost all major toy stores and online retailers are expected to hold BotSee for sale once it is released during the third quarter of this year. Of course, you can also make your purchase directly from the WowWee website.

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iDollhouse Product Review

iDollhouse Product Review

In this modern day and age, it goes without saying that technology should also play a large role in the development of children's toys. Just take a look at the number of new toys coming out in the market: many of them can now be operated through the use of devices such as smart phones, tablets and other similar gadgets. iDollhouse is one of these toys.

Features of the iDollhouse

Basically, iDollhouse is an interactive dollhouse that runs on an application that could only be used with an iPhone or an iPad.

How does iDollhouse work?

Just like a real dollhouse, children can play around with dolls in the iDollhouse, along with other added features that cannot be found in conventional dollhouses.

First of all, the dollhouse can be customized according to the child's preferences. Choose among the many settings and options available to decorate and redecorate the rooms in the dollhouse. To add that homey feel, kids can scan their own family photos and set them up at the dollhouse's dining room or living room.

Instead of physical dolls, the characters in this toy are virtual dolls that can actually do more than the actual dolls ever could. They can be made to fully make use of all the "amenities" in the dollhouse. There is a backyard, complete with a sandbox, a slide or even a seesaw where they could play in. They could even be made to prepare meals in the well-appointed kitchen and serve them afterwards in the dining room.

Part of the joy of playing with dollhouses is playing dress up. Little girls will definitely have a blast dressing up the virtual dolls, choosing dresses and doing their hair. Here is another sweet inclusion in this toy: the kids can have the QR codes of physical dolls scanned and imported into the app, so they can play with their dolls of choice.

An AppVentures iPad/iPhone Play Case for the tablet or smart phone can also be purchased separately. This protective case resembles the façade of the dollhouse.

Dollhouse is aimed for children 4 years and up, who also happen to be adept at using smart phones or tablets.

Price of the iDollhouse

You can buy the iDollhouse app from iTunes or the Apple Store for only $0.99, but you can also get it for free if you buy the AppVentures iPad/iPhone Play Case. The Play Case costs a total of $29.98, which is already inclusive of $9.99 for shipping and handling. Both the app and the Play Case come without any warranty or guarantee.

Positive Points of the iDollhouse

Customization is something that greatly improves the enjoyment of any toy or game, and that's only one of the many good things offered by iDollhouse. Thanks to the scanning feature, children can build their own virtual family.

Compatibility has been a huge problem for other smartphone- or tablet-based toys. That's not an issue with iDollhouse. With the exception of the iPhone 3G and 3GS, the iDollhouse app runs on all Apple smart phones and tablets. Soon, it will also be available on Android, so more users can enjoy this game.

The addition of the AppVentures iPad/iPhone Play Case is another positive point for iDollhouse. It is available in many sizes, so there won't be a problem looking for something to fit tablets and smart phones.

Negative Points of the iDollhouse

The Play Case notwithstanding, parents should still teach their children on how to handle the tablets, which are still vulnerable to scratches. In addition, early assessments of the product show that battery life could have been longer. This is not a dig against the battery itself; it's just that children are likely to get too caught up with playing that it could drain too quickly.

Another thing some customers balk about is the cost of the Play Case. Although the price, which is $19.99, is reasonable enough, the shipping and handling cost of $9.99 is quite the opposite.

More Customer Reviews for iDollhouse

Space efficiency is a huge factor among many parents when it comes to the toys they buy for their kids. Fortunately, since iDollhouse can be played on an electronic gadget, it won't take up too much space the way actual dollhouses do.

Your Money's Worth

So is the price reasonable, and will you get your money's worth? Compared to other apps, iDollhouse – at $0.99 – is relatively cheaper. Since the Play Case is sold separately, it's up to the parents if they want to purchase it or not.

Where To Buy iDollhouse

The iDollhouse app is now available at the Apple Store at the moment, but plans are underway to include it at the Google Store, website, and other online retailers. Meanwhile you can go to AppVenture's site to purchase the Play Case.

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Imaginext Apptivity Fortress Product Review

Imaginext Apptivity Fortress Product Review

The incredible influence of technology can be seen in the rapid increase of usage of tablets, smart phones and similar electronic gadgets. People of all ages are now using them for various purposes. Children, even toddlers, now know their way around operating various apps on a tablet, and this fast-growing market is something game and app developers are honing in on. Case in point: the Imaginext Apptivity Fortress toy developed by Fisher Price.

Features of the Imaginext Apptivity Fortress

Everyone has varying degrees of fascination for anything medieval. Proof of this is the number of games set in medieval period or filled with medieval themes. That is what you'll find with the Imaginext Apptivity Fortress. Just as the name is quite a mouthful, this iPad-based toy also has a lot of features to offer.

For starters, the Fortress is set in a kingdom populated with various creatures, including kings, knights, dragons, orcs, trolls, and so much more.

The main stage of this toy is a castle within a fortress, which is reinforced by cannons that can be moved around at will. It would then be up to the child to use all available resources to defend and protect the castle from being invaded by evil knights, dragons, and other mystical creatures.

Players can even spend hours on end simply exploring the rooms and halls of the castle, or venture out into the kingdom on the back of a dragon. This game is interactive, so children can challenge their family and friends to duels.

Playing the Fortress is very simple. Kids will find themselves fully immersed in the game, thanks to the full utilization of the iPad display. Once mounted, the screen will provide a full view of the game environment, and the player can choose to play between the horizontal and vertical modes just by pressing on the button.

When the cannon is in use to defend the fortress, choose vertical mode. Meanwhile, the horizontal mode would be most effective when exploring the castle or the whole kingdom, since the display will be laid out flat for easier viewing.

Currently, the Imaginext Apptivity Fortress connects only to iPads. Parents who own iPads and trust their young kids – specifically those aged 3 to 7 – with them are the target customers of this product.

>> View More Information Here <<

Price and Warranty

The Imaginext Apptivity Fortress can be downloaded to your iPad for free. However, note that its development is still ongoing, with the full and final version set to be released for sale in the fall of 2013. The tentative retail price is $49.99. If you want to unlock more games and areas, you may also purchase additional characters and creatures separately for $9.99. Fisher Price hasn't made any official announcements just yet on warranties or guarantees for this product.

The Positives of Imaginext Apptivity Fortress

Kids and parents can even engage in a duel in this game, thanks to its dual player feature. This encouragement of the level of interaction between parent and child is definitely something to appreciate about this product.

Also, the danger in developing gadget-based games for children lies in the latter's propensity to damage these gadgets or devices. There is also the fact that they tend to be complex and the game itself is hard to navigate.

That is not a problem with Imaginext Apptivity Fortress. It is simple and easy to operate, and it's also intuitive enough that young kids can easily play with it.

The Negatives of Imaginext Apptivity Fortress

With the lack of announcements from Fisher Price as to any moves to make the Imaginext Apptivity Fortess compatible with tablets other than the Apple iPad is a disadvantage. As a result, the only way to enjoy it would be to actually own an iPad.

Physical damage to the iPad screen, possibly some scratches or abrasion, is always a possibility. It would've been better if it came with a screen protector, especially since the sharp edges of the plastic knight could damage the screen when dragged across it.

Other Customer Reviews for Imaginext Apptivity Fortress

While many parents and their kids are already highly satisfied with the current features of the product, they're still vocal in expressing their excitement on the additional features to come. Incidentally, Imaginext Apptivity Fortress is still undergoing continuous development.

Is The Imaginext Apptivity Fortress a Good Buy?

Yes, the Imaginext Apptivity Fortress is definitely a good buy, if you already own an iPad to begin with. However, if you don't, and you're planning to purchase an iPad for the sole purpose of playing this game, you may have to weigh your options first.

>> See Customer Review Here <<

Where To Buy Imaginext Apptivity Fortress

Aside from website and other online stores, you will be able to buy Imaginext Apptivity Fortress from Walmart, Target, and other stores once it is formally launched.

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