http://www.liveonthefly.comFrom USA Today:
Leapfrog's newest devices: the FLY Pentop Computer. That's correct. It's a computer packaged inside a pen.
Targeted at the 8-to-13 tween market, the FLY Pentop Computer uses paper as its display instead of the traditional computer monitor, and it creates interactivity by providing audio responses to the pen's drawings on paper.
To allow paper-based computing, the FLY Pentop Computer combines many different technologies. For instance, it only works with paper that has FLY dots embedded in a special matrix. The FLY pen also has a computer processor, an optical sensor that allows the pen to determine its location on any piece of FLY paper, and real-time audio capabilities. By using character recognition technology, the pen can identify tween handwriting and other special characters or symbols.
Kids interact with the FLY by creating menu icons on the provided paper. Writing the letter M and drawing a circle around it creates the Main Menu, for instance. By tapping on the encircled M, the FLY will voice the various menu options, including Scheduler, Calculator, Time, NotePad, Settings and Games. To select one, the user is instructed to draw a checkmark next to the menu button and tap on it when the application he or she wants is mentioned. Afterwards, the audio will instruct the users to draw additional menu icons that are relevant to operating each application.
For example, let's say your child decides she wants to use the Calculator application. The FLY will tell your child to draw the digits 0 through 9 and the symbols +, -, x, รท, = and a decimal point inside a rectangle, and thereafter, when you tap on the numbers and functions, the paper and pen will behave like a calculator. Tap 4 x 3 = and the pen will announce 12.
The Scheduler is a pretty straightforward reminder application. Once you have programmed a reminder, the FLY will turn itself on long enough to announce your appointment. The notepad application has less utility because it only remembers 3-word notes.
FLY paper comes in notebooks and pads that range in price from $5 to $10. Because add-ons are required to take best advantage of the FLY, parents should carefully consider how much extra FLY paper and more programs will cost once their youngsters master the standard device.
