Leapfrog

Reading, writing, 'rithmatic? LeapFrog's about to have you covered. It's been four years since LeapFrog introduced the Tag Reading System to preschoolers everywhere. The system, which brought written words to life as the stylus contacted pages in the specially developed books, inspired tots to learn how to read on their own. But with time, the company found that parents are just as interested in teaching their kids to write as they are to read.

That brings us to today, where LeapFrog is taking things a step further with the soon-to-be released LeapReader ($50), a new device designed to teach kids how to read and write all in one place. As a next-generation Tag — LeapFrog will begin phasing out the Tag system this Summer — the LeapReader continues to teach tots to sound out words and read sentences through its library of 150 or so books, and it also teaches preschoolers how to write their numbers and letters through structured stroke lessons.

We got a quick sneak peek of the LeapReader last night (it won't hit store shelves until July) and were quickly impressed with its functionality. Slimmer and easier to hold than the original Tag, the new system's reading experience feels exactly the same as the old version — place the stylus on the page, and it will sound out words, read whole words, or read entire sentences. Where the system excels in in the new writing experience. In addition to providing instructions for drawing the sequence of strokes that create a letter, the system includes mess-free LeapFrog Learning Paper that allows tots to see what their letters look like on a real sheet of paper (the stylus writes — only on that paper — like a pencil). Finally, the new stylus includes a listening experience where kids can enjoy downloaded ebooks, music, and games.

In all, the new LeapReader appears to be an all-in-one solution for families looking to encourage reading and writing at home. It will take some hands-on play with the device to see how it improves upon the Tag, but so far, we're impressed — are you?

It's been a year since LeapFrog debuted the LeapPad and gave tots the first tablet of their own. And while the devices weren't exactly easy to come by (it was easily the hottest toy of 2011), those who did get their hands on them were easily impressed with the pad's touchscreen, built-in camera, tilt-sensor, and enhanced ereader.

That's not to say the LeapPad didn't have its detractors. Well, it appears that the company listened to some of the users' complaints, and less than 12 months after the original version hit the stores, the company is preparing to introduce the LeapPad2 Learning Tablet ($100 for pink or green and $130 for a Disney Princess Bundle) next week. While I've been more than happy with our first-generation LeapPads at home, I was eager to see where the company made improvements on the devices. LeapFrog sent us a tablet to try out; see what we thought below.

Who is this product designed for? After seeing preschoolers snag their older siblings' LeapPads last year, LeapFrog has expanded the age range to include 3- to 9-year-olds (rather than starting at 4 years old), meaning games and apps will also be available for the younger set.

What sets it apart? The original LeapPad made its mark with its tablet-like features that gave tots the feeling they were playing with a sophisticated system. With an accelerometer that transforms the tablet into a gaming console for motion-based games; a library of more than 325 games, apps, music, and videos; and the incorporation of Ultra eBooks, the LeapPad had virtually everything a kid could want. The next-generation version only improves upon those features.

• While the screen size (five inches) and resolution (480 by 272 pixels) remain the same, the LeapPad2 now has a second camera installed in the tablet — a 2MP front-facing video and still camera that makes taking a self-portrait easier than ever.
• The more powerful camera results in larger photo files, so the folks at LeapFrog increased the product's memory to 4GB of storage (up from 2GB) so more photos, videos, and apps can remain on the device.
• A faster processor (550 MHz vs. 393 MHz) means apps and games load much faster than before.
• A new music player (already preinstalled on the device) plays educational songs.
• One of my biggest complaints about the original LeapPad was how quickly it burned through batteries. The new version not only extends battery life another hour (up to nine hours), but a rechargeable battery pack can also be purchased separately, so the device can be plugged in and charged when not in use. My wallet and the environment thank LeapFrog for that.
• The new creativity app, Cartoon Director (included on the device), allows tots to place their mugshot onto cartoon characters and then turn them into movies.
• All apps and games purchased for the original LeapPad are compatible with the new version too.

Keep reading to see what could be better an how long the tablet entertains a youngster.

We hate to say we told you so, but we warned you that they'd be the hot toys of the season. It's beginning to look like the Zhu Zhu pet crisis of 2009 all over again as desperate parents try to get their hands on the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer and Let's Rock Elmo. Amazon and the traditional brick and mortar toy stores are sold out of both, and parents are doing just about anything to secure them in time for the holidays.

Those with a desire to travel and an extra $780 on hand now have a new option. New York's posh Carlyle hotel (Suri Cruise has spent many nights in its luxe rooms) just introduced a special Santa’s Shopper package that guarantees the kiddos will wake up to either a Let's Rock Elmo or Leapfrog LeapPad on Christmas morning. The package includes a choice of toys, overnight accommodations, two drinks at the hotel's famous Bemelmans Bar, breakfast at the hotel restaurant, complimentary gift wrap (!), and shipping the gifts home (for an additional fee). Extreme, yes, but a mama's got to do what a mama's got to do, right?

The iPad may be top on Mama's holiday wish list this year, but there's a good chance it's on her tot's too! Kids can't keep their hands off the tablets, leading two of the largest educational games manufacturers to create tot-friendly versions this year.

I told you about the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer ($100) when it first hit the market this Fall, and now I just finished playing around with the VTech InnoTab ($79) and can't help but compare the two units. Similarly priced, they are both designed for kids 4 to 9 years old, both run on four AA batteries (or, better yet, burn through them), and both are designed to educate as lil ones interact with their favorite characters. Though neither device runs as fast as an iPad (and neither offers a WiFi option), gadget-oriented kids can't put them down. See how the two hot holiday gift items compare!

Screen size
Both learning tablets have five-inch color touch-screen LCD display screens, though the InnoTab's appears to be more responsive to the finger touch than the LeapPad, which worked better with the included stylus.

Gadget size

• LeapPad: The gadget's screen is surrounded by one inch of casing to protect it from drops and spills.
• InnoTab: The product's screen comes packaged in a case that provides a two-to-four-inch border around the gadget, giving tots more room to hold it than its competitor. It is almost the same size as the iPad.

Activities and Games

• LeapPad: The tablet comes with four free apps — Art Studio, Story Studio, Pet Pad, and one of your choice — to entertain tots. Additional cartridge games are $25 with downloadable apps ranging from $5-$25.
• InnoTab: The tablet's PDA-like capabilities — a calendar that allows tots to plan their days and add in stickers, a clock to help learn to tell time, a stopwatch for timing kids, a world globe, etc. — are both fun and educational. They also give kids a sense of independence, turning to their devices for information much like mom and dad. The system also comes with an Art Studio. Additional cartridge games are $25 with downloadable apps costing between $5 and $8.

Keep reading to see how the products compare in other categories.