FLY™ Pentop Computer 8 - 14 Years by LeapFrog List Price: $99.99 $84.99 At Amazon on 11-29-2008.

Features The FLY 1.0 Pentop Computer only works with FLY 1.0 software and accessories, and is not compatible with FLY Fusion products. An electronic pen with built-in computer and audio output designed for tweens Draw or write on special FLYpaper and the optical scanner reads and responds Use for scheduling, calculator, making and recording music, and games Additional cartridges for learning and fun are available, sold separately Editorial Reviews Pretty fly for an educational toy! The Fly Pentop Computer is the wave of the future--today. So…what is it? Its an electronic pen with a brain (a built-in computer processor) and a recorded voice. Tweens (the targeted market) use a fat pen with a tiny optical scanner near the point to draw words, pictures, or codes that the computer reads and responds to. So for example, one can draw a calculator and tap numbers to help figure out algebra homework or how many weeks worth of allowance will buy another cool FLYware cartridge. With the pen kids can also keep track of schedules (much like a PDA), learn geography, play games, translate languages, and actually lay down tracks on keyboards and drums! To hear a menu of options, draw an "M" with a circle around it on the special dot-matrix FLYpaper. Tap the drawing with the Fly pen, and wait for the computer to recite menu options, including scheduler, calculator, time, notepad, settings, and games. To select an option, print a check mark to the right of the "M." The computer announces your selection and options. The Fly Pentop Computer is an electronic pen with a brain (a built-in computer processor) and a recorded voice. We felt a bit like the first viewers of television must have felt the first time we drew eight squares and a few circles with the fairly regular looking pen and paper, then started tapping the shapes to play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (hey, we were overwhelmed; it was all we could think of in the moment…), with various percussives backing up the melody. Imagine where this technology can go! For tweens today who have grown up with LeapFrog and other computer technology, getting the hang of the Fly shouldnt be too tough. Some will simply turn it on (after installing the one AAA battery required) and start messing around, figuring it out on the fly, as it were. Others wont mind wading through the kid-almost-friendly packet of manuals, stickers (tap on the goofy cartoon guy for a loud belch, the clock image for the correct time of day, the "Aaah!" for a scream worthy of Psycho), FLYpaper, and maps (the creator of Fly is a big believer in geography education). After an initially steep slope, the Flys learning curve levels out quickly. Its mostly the small details that might create snags: backing out of a program already started, figuring out where to write a check mark when youve already written half a dozen of them next to the circled letter, that kind of thing. Pretty easily resolvable issues. The fly parts: Fly takes standard computer methodology and turns it on its head: instead of a mouse and keypad being the input devices and the screen being the output, writing and paper are the input and the speaker is the output. This is more than just a switcheroo of components. The impact lies more in how kids using the Fly will learn. Reading words and numbers on a monitor is very different from putting pen to paper and hearing responses. Its somehow more interactive. Learning feels more flexible and forgiving. The whack parts: you have to hold the pen correctly (dont block the camera or hold the pen too horizontally), print neatly and appropriately (capital letters, no connected script), and press firmly enough. The pen itself is somewhat ungainly, as compared to a regular Bic, but hey, theres a whole computer in there, what do you expect? Also, the only paper Fly will respond to is the special dot-matrix "FLYpaper," so youll be locked into a purchasing cycle. The entire Fly introductory kit comes with FLY Pentop Computer, earbuds, carrying case, FLY Launch Pad Guide, 17 games, 35 FLYpaper pages, 3 interactive FLY-FX cards, interactive map, 1 silver face plate, and 1 AAA Alkaline Battery. Additional paper, accessories, and interactive learning and game cartridges are sold separately. Winner of the Toy of the Year Award for 2005. --Emilie Coulter Product Description FLY Pentop Computer is computer power on paper! Its power comes from an optical scanner that sees everything you scan and write on special dot-matrix FLY paper. It's got a brain (a built-in computer processor) and it's got a voice. It's even got its own language. If you've got a math problem FLY pentop computer can solve it as a calculator. You can schedule anything, and FLY pentop computer will remind you. You can draw drums and keyboards and record your own tunes. Play games with your friends anywhere, any time! Plus, you can load FLY pentop computer with FLYware cartridges to add new games and adventures, sold separately. Includes FLY Pentop Computer, earbuds, carrying case, FLY Launch Pad Guide, 17 games, 35 FLY paper pages, three interactive FLY-FX cards, interactive map and one silver face plate. Requires one "AAA" battery (included). Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism I was DESPERATE for a birthday present for my hard to buy 11 year old son! Hated to spend this kind of money on a present before Christmas but I was afraid he was tired of getting the usual LEGO'S, Video games...etc! I purchased this knowing NOTHING about it. The store clerk said, "we sell alot and never get any back!" The day before his birthday, I took a chance and purchased this. IT WAS NOT A MISTAKE! The unit is a PEN that actually writes. You MUST have the special paper which is 9.99 per notebook. Caution your children that this paper is for the Fly Pen use ONLY! The pen works with a AAA battery. I did not purchase the charger. You will want the speaker though. This package gives you everything you need to familiarize yourself with the product but buy another notebook and a speaker! You will want to open this one early and spend some time familiarizing yourself with it before giving it to your child. The functions take practice and patience! DO Purchase a Fly Notebook and practice with this so you can start your child off correctly. I did this so I did not have to mess with the "start-up" kit that comes with this package. With practice and patience, I found this to be easy to figure out..and I DO NOT consider myself to be a technology buff. We busy moms like things quick and easy! You turn the pen on, and touch the point on the icons that are on the bottom of the (fly notebook) sheets of paper...(these notebooks are sold separately). The pen will give you menu options, similiar to "phone menu choices". YOu select your choice by touching the icon. It pretty much guides you through the process. It will ask you to write letters, (usually the initials of what you want to play) and circle them. For example "Fly Tones" you write FT and circle it. It will guide you through the process of drawing your keyboard. "draw nine vertical lines", "connect them at the bottom", for example. This DOES take practice and patience. My 11 year old has spent quite a bit of time with the instruction manual and the pen attempting to "figure it out." He is that kind of kid though. My soon to be 8 year old wants one for Christmas and I will have to help him learn to use it. This is Certainly NOT a toy and is NOT an out of the box and instant fun thing. I can see it having quality educational value over time. I have purchased the spelling and math packs (29.99 a pop..WHEW...) and will review them when they are opened. So far, this pack has been enough. This comes with earbuds and a small plastic case. This package with a AAA battery, the additional speaker, a notebook, patience, practice, and time are all you need to get started with the Fly Pen. I recommend it despite the "priceyness" of the actual unit AND the accessories because as with MOST "Leap Learning" tools, their abilities are far beyond what the item exposes with the first couple of uses. Like most parents, I have never been disappointed with this company's products. I am amazed at this product's abilities with my and my sons limited exposure to it over this past weekend. Finally, I LOVE how this FORCES you to write neatly AND follow-directions! This is perfect for those middle school children who are still in "primary-land" as far as their writing skills are concerned. Great product from the folks at "LEAP"! Rosemary FLY™ Pentop Computer Available from Amazon Updated on 11-29-2008.

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