Toymail has unveiled Talkies, a quirky plush line that let friends and family exchange voice messages with kids. Sending voice messages with Toymail is simple - parents purchase a Talkie, connect to it via 2.4 GHz WIFI and the Toymail app for iOS, Android or Kindle, and invite friends and family members to exchange messages with their child. Kids can also initiate messages directly from their Talkie toys to approved contacts with the app or other friends' Talkies. The toy's two-button interface is easy and straightforward, allowing children as young as three to use.
A key part of Toymail's tech that resonates deeply with parents is that they can now build bonds with their children throughout the day, without having to put them behind a screen. Toymail chose messaging as its first service because of the enormous untapped market - 95 percent of children under the age of 10 don't have a phone (70 percent of parents feel it would be inappropriate for children that age). Yet, 71 percent of parents surveyed state that they want their children to stay connected with friends and family for both social and security reasons.
In addition to the two-way messaging base model, the toy reacts to physical play (it will snore, laugh, and say "wee") and the product offers unlimited access to expandable content through a $2.99 monthly subscription. Features include schedulers to keep kids on track and in bed on time, fun voice recording filters, and play upgrades to build the toy's personality.
