My Touch Smart Line Friends Phones for Kids Keep Youth Safe & Connected
Laura McQuarrie — June 11, 2014 — Life-Stages
References: takaratomy.co.jp & akihabaranews
In partnership with LINE, toymaker Takara Tomy recently announced a new phone for kids called My Touch Smart Line Friends. With these mock smartphones, kids will be able to send and receive messages and stamp icons through the LINE communication application.
Like a real smartphone, the toy phones are equipped with a colored LED display, a camera and 30 playable apps. If a parent installs an app and connects the phone to their child's, they'll be able to chat for distances up to 10 meters. If there's one thing that's missing, it's Internet access, since many parents fear giving their children a smartphone because of this feature.
The phone is targeted towards kids age six and up and the playful, safe My Touch Smart Line Friends phones for kids are set for an August 7th release.
Like a real smartphone, the toy phones are equipped with a colored LED display, a camera and 30 playable apps. If a parent installs an app and connects the phone to their child's, they'll be able to chat for distances up to 10 meters. If there's one thing that's missing, it's Internet access, since many parents fear giving their children a smartphone because of this feature.
The phone is targeted towards kids age six and up and the playful, safe My Touch Smart Line Friends phones for kids are set for an August 7th release.
Trend Themes
1. Kid-specific Smartphones - Toy companies are creating fully functional smartphones for children to safely access the digital world.
2. Parental-controlled App Marketplaces - With the increase of children owning smartphones, there is an opportunity for app developers to create a more secure marketplace with parental controls.
3. Mock Smartphones for Child Development - Companies can design realistic, non-functional toy smartphones that encourage child socialization and development, while still allowing parents to control when and how children access digital media.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can expand their product lines by tapping into the market for kid-specific smartphones, creating new revenue streams and increasing value for customers.
2. Telecommunications - Telecom companies have the opportunity to create specialized wireless plans for kid-specific smartphones, tailored towards families with children.
3. App Development - App developers can create safe, educational apps for children that take advantage of smart-phone technology, like cameras and messaging, while still protecting them from harmful digital content.
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