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LeapFrog's Zippity Brings Full-Body Gaming to Preschoolers

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:00:11 -0700

Dance Dance Revolution sparked a worldwide rhythm and dance craze when it launched in Japan a decade ago. Since then, game console manufacturers like Nintendo and Sony have created dozens of videos merging exercise and gaming for adults and teens alike. With the Zippity Learning System ($80), LeapFrog delivers the concept to the preschool set.

The TV-based gaming system brings some of The Disney Channel's most popular characters – like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Winnie the Pooh and Handy Manny – to combine upper- and lower-body movements with educational concepts.

To see what we liked about the Zippity system and what left us wondering, read more.

The Zippity system allows kids to choose from eight games that either use an interactive mat for lower-body movement or a waist-high joystick for upper-body activity. The games, such as a Mickey Mouse version of Simon Says and a Handy Manny version of song creation, encourage number, shape, directional and color recognition. While some of the games are more movement-oriented than others, they all do encourage the participant to be active. The great graphics and variety of games are perhaps the best features of the system, as lil ones can work on several different skills throughout their play. Each game has two levels of play, meaning the system is designed to grow with them – but we found that a 3-year-old was already well-advanced for the first level of most of the included games, leaving us wondering just how long he would be able to play with a set geared toward 3-6-year-olds.

Kids Can Get Into the Wii Action With Pet Rescue!

babysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:00:55 -0700

When Nintendo branded its latest video game technology, the Wii, it must have had families in mind. Moms can do yoga, dads can practice golf swings, teens can bounce to Rock Band, and now the wee ones can get involved with games like Knowledge Adventure's JumpStart's Pet Rescue ($40). Preschool-age tots who are awestruck by their older siblings slinging the remote around the living room can do the same as they search for lost pets in an adventurous learning environment. And while it may be geared towards a younger crowd, it hasn't stopped the more mature sisters from sneaking on to enjoy the animal exposition.

To see what we liked about it and what left us wondering, read more.

Like any other Wii game, youngsters can explore their imagination as they create a unique avatar and accompanying pets. Once the character is set in motion, players experience a jaunt to the virtual library and down a water slide all whilst improving memory, listening and motor skills. During their journey, they will also unknowingly practice pre-reading skills. Give a kid a workbook or a video game that both have the same goal and I'd bet the lass will choose the latter. Possibly the best feature of the game is that children get to keep and care for their rescued pets, which entails feeding, grooming, training and playing with them. It is a valuable life lesson and it may keep the lil guys from begging for a real dog. Hallelujah! That's music to many a mom's ears. The only tough part of the game is getting an early stage preschooler to manage the remote. Though it is targeted for tots age 3 to 6, in my control group, it was the 5 and 7-year-old who enjoyed it most.

10 Video Camera Worthy Moments

babysugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:20 -0700

Video cameras used to be a coveted commodity amongst the elite. Practically priced and small enough to fit in a pocket, almost everyone can have one now. While capturing still moments is important, there are some times in our lives where a moving picture is worth millions of words. See which ones we think are Flip worthy.

Source: Flickr User greg westfall

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Diagrammed Machine Innards As Art

GeekSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:30:50 -0700

I thought I had a good eye for recognizing electronics as art, but it's nothing compared to artist/photographer Britney Badger, who has created compositions of disassembled household appliances and photographed them to breathtaking effect.

I was fascinated by what I found inside when I started taking electronics apart when I was younger, so these pieces really appeal to me. The price for an original? Just $50.

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Does Your Tot Gravitate to Electronics?

LilSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:26 -0700

Lisa Bonet went for a walk with her daughters in New York City. While Zoe, 19, may be older, it was 18-month-old Lola who toted a more mature toy. The lil girl happily occupied herself with a BlackBerry Curve protected by a blue gel cover while she rode in the stroller.

I've noticed many children are attracted to the bells and whistles electronics offer. Is your tot a techie?

Pacific Coast News Online

Casa Verde: Preventing Phantom Loads

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 05:32:52 -0700

In the high-tech world we live in, power strips are as essential as light bulbs. But just as you turn the lights off when you leave a room, you should also get in the habit of turning off your power strip when you're not using it. This helps prevent what eco experts call the "phantom load."

Basically, any time you have a piece of electronic equipment that is plugged in but in standby mode, it's leaking lots of power, wasting energy, and running up your electric bill. And according to Treehugger, it's not a paltry amount: The EPA estimates that 75 percent of energy used in the average home comes from appliances that are thought to be turned off but are merely in standby mode.

Similarly, phantom loads are also created when chargers for cell phones and other electronics are plugged in with nothing attached to them.

To solve the problem, plug your chargers and standby electronics into power strips, and when you're not using the devices, turn the power strips off. Just make sure that any appliances that need to stay on - like external hard drives, fridges, and so on - are plugged in separately.

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Reality Check: Electronic Cigarettes Are Not So Healthy

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:29 -0700

Smoking regular cigarettes is known to cause a whole slew of health problems from asthma to emphysema and lung cancer. For some reason though, people keep smoking, so someone came up with the brilliant idea to make electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes.

These battery-powered electronic cigarettes provide inhaled doses of nicotine, although no flame, tobacco, or smoke is involved. E-cigs might give the impression of being healthier than regular cigarettes, but this illusion is mostly smoke and mirrors. When the FDA tested 19 varieties from two companies, they found toxic chemicals, one being a key ingredient in antifreeze. Why am I not surprised?

E-cigarettes aren't regulated like other nicotine products, so their ingredients aren't regulated either. They also tend to be easier for minors to get a hold of. Since some e-cigarettes were designed to mimic real cigarettes - you light them and smoke puffs, these electronic smokes are considered a gateway drug to actual cigarettes. The FDA is "planning additional activities" to deal with the safety of e-cigarettes, which may result in recalling them or taking lawful action. Tell me, have any of you ever tried electronic cigarettes? Do you think they should be banned?

Bill Gates Kicks Off Consumer Electronics Show

GeekSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:35:50 -0800

Last night Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates delivered his annual speech to open 2007's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas - showing off his usual hair-do and some exciting insight as to what lies ahead this year in electronics.

His speech touched on ways to link computers and the other hardware people use to play music and movies - and not just handheld devices. He showed off a new technology called Sync, to be built into a dozen Ford vehicles this year, that would connect music, address books and cellphone ring tones with the car stereo.

Watch Bill Gates' full Pre-show Keynote Address at Microsoft.com.

Electronic Tape Dispenser: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:00:08 -0700

I know you remember those telephones that were huge in the '80s; you know, the ones that had a clear plastic exterior, so you could see the inner workings of your phone while you twirled your hair and chitchatted with your buddies?!

If that appealed to you then, you might be into this electronic tape dispenser now! I've never actually stared at my tape dispenser and thought what goes on inside there, you fascinating animal?, but far be it from me to say you don't.

So . . . give it to me. What do you think?

Electronic Cigarette - Pricey Way To Kick Butts

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 10:57:51 -0700

The blog world is a buzz right now about a $200 battery-powered electronic cigarette that you smoke just like the real thing - only it delivers nicotine as a vapor.

Designed by China's Golden Dragon Group, the Ruyan "e-cigarette" was reportedly created for "health" and "pleasure" reasons and is battery operated. The company said it expects sales to double in 2007 as it expands overseas.

According to China Daily, the faux ciggies consist of a built-in microprocessor and atomizer that combine air intake with nicotine from a cartridge. When inhaled, it gives off a vapor that the company says is non-toxic. $200 for a fake cancer stick that is "non-toxic" but still lets out nicotine? I'm not buying it.

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