Chicago – VTech (www.vtechkids.com), a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children, today announced three of its products were recognized as top holiday toys by the annual holiday gift guide, the Toy Insider™. The Top Tech 12 list features InnoTab® MAX, VTech’s first children’s learning tablet with Android™[1] learning content and the Kidizoom® Smartwatch, the first smartwatch for kids. The Hot 20 list includes the Go! Go! Smart Animals™ Zoo Explorer Playset, an exciting animal-themed playset that lets kids explore the natural wonders of a zoo while delivering cause-and-effect learning fun.
“We are honored to again have so many of our new toys chosen by the Toy Insider as top holiday gifts,” said William To, President, VTech Electronics North America. “We remain committed to developing innovative, educational toys that resonate with parents and kids and continue to demonstrate why we’re the learning fun authority.”
VTech works closely with a panel of children’s learning specialists on the development of its infant and preschool learning products. Each one of the Expert Panel members specializes in developmental or educational fields for children from birth through 9 years of age. VTech and the Expert Panel collaborate to ensure their products and content deliver the best learning experience possible for every child at every stage of development.
“VTech continues to deliver innovative new toys that shine through the hundreds we review throughout the year,” said Laurie Schacht, Toy Insider Mom. “From fun, educational technology with the InnoTab MAX and Kidizoom Smartwatch to an engaging, multi-sensory playset with the Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset, VTech has really hit the mark with what kids and parents are going to be looking for this holiday season.”
Now in its ninth year, the Toy Insider is made up of a panel of industry experts that review hundreds of products throughout the year. As parents first and toy experts second, the team reviews each product to evaluate product features and overall value, narrowing their selections to the best of the best. The guide is broken down by age group with in-depth descriptions and a unique skill key of developmental needs and interests for each toy to help consumers pick not only the hottest toy, but also the right toy for the special child in their lives.
VTech’s award winners include:
InnoTab® MAX (www.vtechkids.com/ITMax): InnoTab MAX gives children the best of both learning worlds with a huge existing library of age-appropriate, educator-supported VTech and Android™ learning apps. VTech’s 4th generation kids’ learning tablet features its fastest processor yet with up to six times the processing power of previous generations and a 7″ high-resolution multi-touch screen display. Fifteen onboard apps include My Magic Beanstalk, Movie Maker, Art Studio, Wonder Cam MAX and an enhanced version of Premium VTech Kid Connect™, for no additional charge, with new features[2] such as family group chat and a multi-player game. InnoTab MAX also includes one free Toca Boca app and two additional free apps that can be downloaded from the Learning Lodge®, as well as access to more than 650 additional cartridges, software and apps for via the Learning Lodge app store. The tablet features a built-in rechargeable Lithium battery and AC adapter. Kids can browse the web and explore VTech-selected sites while parents can manage the website list using parental controls. Additional parental controls allow parents to manage their child’s apps, web access and tablet time, as well as view a progress log. InnoTab MAX also features a 180° rotating camera, plays videos and MP3 songs, has 8GB storage, expandable to 40GB and comes with a stylus and string. (Ages 3-9 years; MSRP: US$109.99; Available: October 2014)
Kidizoom® Smartwatch (www.vtechkids.com/kidizoomsmartwatch): The interactive Kidizoom Smartwatch lets kids capture photos, add photo effects, record videos and play built-in games for learning fun on the go. Complete with an easy-to-use 1.4” color touch screen, as well as more than 50 digital and analog clock displays, the multi-functional Kidizoom Smartwatch is perfect for kids learning to tell time. It boasts a rechargeable battery, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, voice recorder with five voice changing effects and parental game controls. Made just for kids, the Kidizoom Smartwatch features a durable design to withstand drops and bumps and is splash and sweat proof. Kidizoom Smartwatch is PC and MAC compatible for uploading photos, videos and recorded voice files and offers access to VTech’s Learning Lodge™ app store, where parents can download even more games and watch displays to extend the learning fun. Available in four vibrant colors: blue, pink, white and green. (Ages 4 years and up; MSRP: US$59.99)
Go! Go! Smart Animals™ Zoo Explorers Playset™ (www.vtechkids.com/animals): Playtime goes wild with learning at the Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset! Go on a tour of the zoo with the SmartPoint rhino as he responds to the zoo’s seven SmartPoint locations with different phrases, music and fun sounds. Children can strengthen their motor skills with eight manipulative features including a turning gate, spinning water tank and sliding elevator. The colorful tracks can be reconfigured or connected to other Go! Go! Smart Animals or Go! Go! Smart Wheels playsets (each sold separately) to encourage children’s creativity. The zoo also features an electronic entrance that teaches animal names, animal traits, letters, colors and plays music. (Ages 1-5 years, MSRP: US$39.99)
For more information about the complete VTech product range, please visit www.vtechkids.com. The complete Top Tech 12 list can be found at www.thetoyinsider.com/holiday_guide/tech-12/ and the complete Hot 20 list can be found at www.thetoyinsider.com/holiday_guide/hot-20/.
[1] Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
[2] Available Fall 2014
About VTech
VTech is a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. As a pioneer in the learning toy category, VTech develops high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development and make learning fun. With a rich, almost 35 year history, VTech has not only established itself as a learning authority but also consistently remains at the forefront of innovation with award-winning products such as the InnoTab® 3S Wi-Fi Learning Tablet, one of the first children’s learning-based tablets with Wi-Fi, MobiGo®, V.Reader® and V.Smile®. The Learning Lodge®, VTech’s comprehensive app store, features a robust library of more than 800 educational and entertaining games, e-Books, music and videos with engaging age-appropriate content across the widest variety of curricula, with content expanding to offer even more titles. The company also has a broad range of award-winning infant and preschool products available in 24 different languages worldwide, with more than 100 new products introduced every year. In order to further strengthen VTech’s position as a learning authority, the company’s Panel of Experts, with esteemed experts in reading, language arts, science, math, and child development, consult on new product introductions and Learning Lodge content.
VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Illinois . VTech Electronics Limited is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution globally. VTech is the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy to preschool.
For more information on VTech’s additional product lines, visit www.VTechKids.com, www.facebook.com/VTechtoys on Facebook or follow @VTechToys on Twitter.
About The Toy Insider
The Toy Insider (www.toyinsider.com) is the source for the hottest toys and gifts for the holidays. Now in its ninth year, the Toy Insider is an annual guide featuring toy and gift recommendations broken down by age groups. The 2014 guide is jam-packed with 132 toy recommendations from more than 86 different manufacturers, each carefully selected by a team of experts with years of experience in the toy industry. The Toy Insider is published by Adventure Publishing Group, publisher of leading industry trades The Toy Book and The Licensing Book.
