The Giz Wiz for the week of October 2nd, 2012, Netcast 1384

The guys who created JibJab come up with something new.

Some thirteen years ago, two brothers started an Internet phenomenon you most likely know about, and probably have used. Gregg and Evan Spiridellis are the guys behind JibJab, those silly, funny Internet videos starring you. I met the brothers at the Time To Play Event in NYC and wondered why they were there. Turns out both Gregg and Evan are parents now. Gregg has three children between the ages of 2 and 6, and Evan has a 4 and 7 year old.) So they said they wanted to create something new to entertain kids, while teaching them something in a very fun way. Gregg said they’d like to a few things that would entertain a child for about 20 minutes -- the amount of time it might take a parent to take a shower or do a quick chore. So they came up "StoryBots" for kids. The StoryBot characters are colorful rectangular shaped characters who sing and entertain on on iPhones, iPads, and computer screens. They’re aimed at kids 2 to 6. Over 250 million faces have been uploaded to JibJab so far, so the brothers wanted to move onto something new that would use the same JibJab technology.  StoryBots Starring You StoryBooks has many components. There are also music videos called "StoryBots Starring You Band." And there’s also the "StoryBots ABC Jamboree", 26 one-minute music videos designed to help kids recognize the sounds and shapes of the letters of the alphabet. A new ebook will be available every month for $3.99, with additional titles available for $1.99 each. There are already 18 StoryBot ebooks available. The guys told me Leo Laporte at TWiT was one of the first people to interview them on the web. JibJab started in my hometown, Brooklyn, but now is located in Venice, Calif.

www.storybots.com

See or hear this Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1384