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

Leo & I also talked about this on The Giz Wiz. See or hear that Netcast: www.twit.tv/giz1384

GPS for your hound dog!

There are quite a few pet trackers in the marketplace, but the newest one I know of isTagg. The GPS Taggpet tracking system lets you see where your dog is and receive a notification if he or she wanders off. You can get both a text and an email message. When I asked why Tagg was different from other pet trackers that tell you your dog has roamed outside the geo-fence area you preset, the spokesperson said their device pinpoints where your pet is, and provides directions to get there. You can get Tagg map on a computer, mobile device, or use the free Tagg mobile app.  The lightweight tracker attaches to your dog's existing collar, and is designed to be worn at all times, even while swimming. I assume they mean when your dog is swimming, not you. Tagg works nationwide in the United States. See the coverage map on the company website for full details. The Tracker Kit is $99.95 and it includes1 Tagg Tracker, 1 Docking Station, Collar Clip Assembly, and Power Kit. It also includes the first month of service. After that, service is $7.95 a month, but there is not contract. However there is also a Tagg Pet Family Plan, which can include monthly service for up to nine pets. And there is a 30 day refund policy. 

http://www.pettracker.com/

See or hear this show: www.twit.tv/giz1383

Yet another new Fitbit Device to track your exercise and health progress.

Leo has had quite a few Fitbits. Because they clip on to clothing and Leo is super active, he tends to lose them. He started with the original Fitbit about two years ago, and then a year later he got the Fitbit Ultra. To sync the stored exercise data, he Fitbit Ultra needed to be close to a WiFi base station which it turn was connected to a computer. Now, just about another year later, comes a new Fitbit. This is the Fitbit One. (Also introduced is a new lower end model, the Fitbit Zip.) Both devices offer Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility. With Bluetooth, you don’t need to be anywhere near a computer. Users can sync their Fitbit with compatible devices such as the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 and the third generation iPad to track their progress. They’ll be a software upgrade in October so that health-conscious users can get encouragement with real-time notifications as they approach or complete daily goals. Or you can make it a healthy social event and pass your results on to friends - as you see their progress. I guess they mean introduce a bit of competition to spur you on. (If it works for you, great.) The Fitbit One does all the Ultra did:  measure daily steps, distance and calories burned and it still works as a sleep monitor, tracking your sleep time and the number of times you woke up. But the Fitbit One adds a new vibrating alarm to wake you, while your partner sleeps. (Partner, optional.) There’s a big size reduction too. The Fitbit One is 60% smaller than the Ultra. Maybe Leo won't lose so many of them with the smaller size!) It’s coming in a month or so (October 2012), and will cost the same as the very first Fitbit, $99.95. (The Fitbit Zip, an introductory model will be $59.95.) Pre-order at the company website.

www.fitbit.com

Add a texture to your iPad keyboard.

Touchfire is a great idea for iPad users who like to touch type. The Touchfire Screen-Top Keyboard for iPad, a clear silicone keyboard that snaps into place magnetically over the iPad's on-screen keyboard. A patented key design transforms the hard, featureless surface of the iPad's on-screen keyboard into a pleasant, tactile, typing experience. Although I only got to type on the Touchfire for about two minutes, I liked it a lot. You can actually rest your hands lightly on the keys, without them registering. The problem with a virtual keyboard is that it types with the lightest pressure, even when you brush across the screen, not wanting to type. The keyboard weighs less than an ounce, is as thin as two credit cards. It works with all versions of the iPad. It can be stored on the iPad or rolled up in the cover, so it’s easy to keep with the iPad at all times. It’s designed to handle the rigors of travel and is easy to clean with tap water. I talked to Steve Isaac, the CEO and co-designer ofTouchfire. He told me this was a Kickstarter project with a goal of raising $10,000 in seven weeks. They met that goal in five days, and the project ended with over $200,000. There were 3,146 backers and over 4,400 pre-orders before the product was even manufactured. Steve was quoted as saying: “Over 65 million people use their iPads everyday but one of its major limitations as a productivity tool is that it is difficult to type on the glass surface. Until now, the only solution was to add on a heavy, bulky, battery-powered Bluetooth keyboard -- negating the benefits of iPad's sleek, light design. We created theTouchfire to fix the fundamental problems inherent in typing on the glass surface of the iPad. With the Touchfire, typing on an iPad is a joy, not a pain." The keyboard with a travel case is $49.99. 

http://www.touchfire.com/video/

One Have One Remote Control Toy, When You Can Have Two!

I saw it in action at Toy Fair 2012, and now Spin Master’s Battle Tracker can see action in your home in the next month or so. (Assuming you buy one!) This is not one, but two remote control toys in one exciting package. The all-newAir Hogs Battle Tracker offers head-to-head interactive combat for one or two players. There's a Remote Control Disc-Launching Helicopter that can be tracked by A.R.T, the Automated Robotic Turret. That’s means, as you have to fly your helicopter you have to prepare for evasive maneuvers. Because if you don't dodge the (soft) missiles aimed at you, you'll be knocked right out of the sky. (Well, the sky in living room.) Once you get some practice commanding the helicopter, you can fire back and disable the A.R.T before it gets you first! There's auto mode for a single player. That's where you fly the helicopter as the A.R.T tracks your every move with its advanced intelligence tracking system! In 2-Player manual mode one person handles the helicopter and the uses the A.R.T remote control. Both the A.R.T and Disk Shooting Helicopter can be controlled independently. Battle them against other Air Hogs vehicles and become the ultimate battle-ready sharpshooter.Air Hogs Battle Tracker is recommended for ages 8+. It uses 6 AA batteries which are not included. MSRP $99.99. It should start shipping in September. 

www.airhogs.com