Laugh & Learn™ Apptivity™ Storybook Reader
For your baby, every moment is a learning moment. Fisher-Price® can help little ones learn through everyday discoveries with help of their Laugh & Learn™ range of toys as well as the Laugh and Learn™ website where you can uncover new ways the help your baby learn through play.
* You MUST have use of an iphone to use and review this product.
(Iphone 3Gs, 4 & 4s only. OR iPod touch 4G)
* You MUST have use of an iphone to use and review this product.
(Iphone 3Gs, 4 & 4s only. OR iPod touch 4G)
See www.fisher-price.com/en_AU/product/71409 for more information
* You MUST have use of an iphone to use and review this product.
* You will be required to post your review within two weeks of receiving the product.
4 Comment(s)
on Laugh & Learn
kaprice
12/05/2013 -I was excited to get this product to review. My one year old baby loves my iPhone, but I'm weary of letting her near it due to her propensity to drool all over it and drop it as quickly as she picks it up. The Fisher Price Apptivity Storybook Reader seemed like it could be the answer to satisfying her desire to play with my 'toy' and my fear of her damaging it. We were off to good start with her going crazy for it as soon as we took it out of the box. So much excitement! I don't know for sure what it was, but I suspect the cardboard iPhone template in it (where your real phone eventually goes) might have had something to do with it! She loved opening and shutting the front 'cover' of the Reader, and could easily hold it either with the handle (which doubles as a chewing/teething toy) or as a book. It's a good size for little hands and can easily be popped in a bag for taking out. Unfortunately this is where it got a lot more frustrating, and much less fun. There is a QR code on the back of the product that you need to scan in order to activate the product and get the apps - without these it is simply a glorified (and expensive) phone cover, as it won't work without them. The instructions tell you to install the phone into the Storybook Reader before scanning the QR - not helpful given it won't work unless you do this first and get the apps before you start! After dismantling, scanning the QR code, and reinstalling the phone, we were set to go. Or so we thought...the QR code takes you to the US app store, meaning we can't get them in NZ. After several unsuccessful attempts, we ended up bypassing the QR code and going straight to the NZ app store and obtaining the apps through a general search there. So the marketing that comes with the Storybook Reader is a little misleading when it implies you get 'free' apps with the product - anyone can actually get the apps anytime, it's not a perk of the Reader. Sure, you don't get the Reader, which has two purposes as far as we can tell - it protects the phone, and it has a function where opening and shutting the cover turns the pages on the apps on the phone - but you can still use all the apps without needing the Storybook Reader at all (you just need to swipe with your finger as per all other apps/features on an iPhone). You do run the risk of damage to your phone, but a decent screen protector and cover might suffice for slightly older toddlers who aren't still in the very oral stage and dribble over everything. I wasn't quite sure whether my daughter would actually be able to do anything with the Storybook Reader, given she doesn't use any other technology yet. But it seems small fingers do really well on the iPhone screen and are very adept at the swiping actions needed to activate the phone and manipulate the apps. Although at one year old she can't understand when it's time to turn the page etc, so her manipulation of the apps is random and too quick for each 'page' if she's left to do it in her own time, and very impatient and frustrated if we try to get her to do it 'properly' as the app intended. She is pretty excited to be allowed on our phones though via this Reader as she normally has them taken off her. I think she likes that she's joining in with our stuff. There are two ways to install your iPhone in the Reader. One way means your child cannot activate the menu button, and means they're less likely to switch to other apps you'd rather they not have access to. But this means you have to take the phone out of the reader in order to switch apps, then put it back in again. The other way of putting it in means they can access the menu button, but so can you, which makes for quicker switching between apps, which we found much more preferable with an impatient one year old! It's good to have the option though. It is kind of awkward to get the phone into the case, but it is pretty secure once in there, and cannot fall out. If the Reader was dropped I think your phone would be pretty well protected in it, though we didn't choose to put this to the test! One important point to remember is that you need to adjust the volume before you put your phone in the Reader, otherwise you'll need to uninstall it in order to turn it up so the apps can be heard. This was learnt the hard way! The apps are promoted as being in sync with the cover of the Reader, so when you turn the cover page, the page on the app turns too, but this feature has been very inconsistent in our experience. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If it doesn't work, the Reader really is just a glorified phone case. It is also hard to let a one year old know that turning the cover is doing something to the page/story/song they're on, so it becomes a bit hit and miss. I think an older toddler or child would really enjoy this aspect of the Reader though. All up, I would say this product is a bit of fun, does protect your phone and enable your child to use it without dribbling etc into it, and is pretty portable, but the marketing of it as some sort of interactive reader is very misleading. The apps can all be used on any smart phone, and there are only three Fisher Price apps available in NZ for it (that we could find). At about $40 for the Storybook Reader, I would have expected more than three short apps designed specifically for it. And the lack of interactive features in the Reader itself was surprising. We were grateful for the opportunity to try it out, and my daughter does like it, but sadly overall it is a bit of a disappointment really, and I probably wouldn't recommend it at RRP.
Cataren
03/05/2013 -The Fisher-Price Story Book Reader is fantastic fun for both mum and bub. I have an 8 month old and we have had great fun together. The apps are great and entertaining. I also love the fact that baby can hold and play with the Reader, without being worried that the Iphone may be damaged, as the casing that houses the IPhone is robust so baby cannot touch the home button or make calls. Also this product is great when we are on the move and provides quick and easy enterainment with out having to transport to much and is convenient too. Its fun for baby as he sees the rest of the family on various devices and can feel part of the action. I know that this is something he is going to enjoy right up the age of 3. Thank you so much Ohbaby for giving us the opportunity to review the Laugh And Learn StoryBook Reader :-)
*HG*
02/05/2013 -The E-Reader is a fantastic idea - my 7 month old is more interested in sucking on the outer reader than in the apps inside however! The apps are fantastic, free and easy to download. This will certainly be a toy that he will love for many years to come - another good point to mention is that it seems very strong, tough and robust and will survive the rough and tumble of a baby and toddler! Thanks for the opportunity to try it out Fisher-Price and Oh Baby!
Claire-Bear
01/05/2013 -We lived the story book! My 17 month old is at the perfect age for it. She is curious and eager to do things herself so this was the perfect idea. I was impressed how secure it kept my iPhone, away from little hands and easy to take out if I needed it. The apps are easy to download, free and they have variety as well. It's certainly a hit in our house, we get squeals of joy and often our 5 year old likes to join in! Great idea Fisher Price and thanks OH! Baby.