By Sonya Davidson
My 5 year old nephew has been eyeing my wearables. I've seen him admiring my smartwatch and fitness trackers with his big eyes. I love how curious he is as he asks so many questions about what these nifty gadgets can do. So, when I recently asked him if he would interested in showing me what the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX could do, he didn't hesitate.
I was surprised to learn that he had already put a "smartwatch" on his birthday list. His mom had no problem with me asking for his help to review this device. She told me that in school, the teachers had already noticed how his interest in technology has a positive effect in his learning. His reading and math skills are advanced. I even noticed when he was reading instructions on the VYech he had no struggle with words.
The VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX is definitely a step up from a beginner watch of just telling time. While you can set the time (digitally or analog), customize faces, it also teaches kids how to tell time through fun and easy to follow games as well as set their own reminder alarms. But aside from a watch, it does a lot of fun things. With icons that can easily be a swipe motion kids can simply get to what they want to do.
Takes Videos & Photos: right from the watch the user can take fun pics and 60-second videos. You can enhance with fun built-in frames and effects (like the fun Snapchat filters) then download the jpeg image to your computer and share with friends and family. Impressive internal memory can hold up to 1,600 images and up to 23 minutes of video (160x120 pixels). You can also adjust video setting to 320 x 240 pixels. A "Funny Face Detector" game is a real hit - the goofier face you make for your photo, the higher the score. We also loved the filters that allowed us to distort images on the smartwatch. It will also take voice recordings and all can be played back right on the device.
Calculator: We particularly loved watching junior play around with the simple calculator on this smartwatch. Little guy had fun with inputing numbers and applying them to additon, subtraction, multiplication and division problems and getting the answers.
Pedometer: Just like my fitness trackers, this one can keep the little on active. The device keeps a daily history and keeps track of your top record. Even gives you a hoorah when you achieve a goal.
Sound Shaker: allows the wearer to select from different image like laser sword, magic wand, rocket jump to create fun sounds with their smartwatch.
Play Games: There are fun challenges in the preloaded games on the smartwatch that get kids up and active. Included are walking, rning, jumping and dancing action challenge games. Challenges are quick intervals that will also track your records. There are also built-in games like Tic-Tac-Toe as well as games that are easy and fun like Jumping Egg where the player leads the jumping egg to a cloud as quick as possible to see what creature will hatch. A Super Boarder game is a wake board competition that needs the player to jump and avoid water obstacles. We really loved the "Monster Identity" game that randomly tells you what kind of silly monster you would be.
Like many devices designed for kids in mind, there are advanced settings on this one that include parental controls
In terms of battery life, the VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX has been recharged only once since he's got little his hands on it two and a half weeks ago. It came with a micro USB cable for easy juicing. FYI, it came with a Li-ion Polymer battery that is not replaceable.
This smartwatch has kids in mind. While it's not waterproof, it is splash proof - because you know, kids are bound to get some liquids by accident. The screen will also automatically shut off if the child is not using it but this too can be adjusted in the settings. Parental controls help limit play time on the games and are easy to set.
Kids this age still view it as a fancy toy but realistically they would probably view a real watch the same way. His mom tells me that he's still playing around with it so it's still holding his interest and yes, the Funny Face Detector is still giving us all the giggles.