Kidizoom Smartwatch DX2
© 2017 VTech Electronics North America
We love it when a good product gets better (and the price stays about the same). This year's VTech watch straps a lot grownup technology into a your child's wrist. That includes two cameras, a voice recorder, pedometer, some games and, of course, a timekeeper. Features include a 1.44 inch color touch screen, 256 MB of built in memory (1500 photos or 10 minutes of low res AVI videos). To get the photos or videos off the watch, you plug in the USB cable to see a disk called VTech 1938 on your desktop. Parental controls let you turn on/off game play. We counted six games that include a timed maze challenge, tap the largest number and odd-one-out. The small touch screen isn't all the clear, but it is very responsive. Two cameras (one facing forward, the other for selfies) let you take stills or video. It is possible to add your own visual effects, and import content to your laptop using the USB cable. The watch's motion sensor lets you track steps or "race" against onscreen characters. Last but not least, the watch and calendar is easy to set, and there's an alarm feature. The main weakness of the first edition of this watch (in 2014) watch was the battery. This watch is much better. It charges in about 3 hours, for up to 2 weeks of low usage time (or 1 day of heavy use).The lithium-polymer battery is charged via a micro-USB cable, which is included. VTech assumes you'll use your laptop's USB or phone charger as a power source. The bottom line? This "watch" is a lot more than a watch; and there's no Internet or data plan to worry about. Need to know: Note that this watch is "splash proof" but not waterproof. It should not be used around a pool or bath.
$60
Teaches: movement, gross mother development, exercise
CTR Rating: 94%