Launchpad Toys and Google are now a team, as the latter was officially announced to have purchased the former. In this manner, the idea of a kids-friendly YouTube seems not only achievable, but some hint at this as the main reason of their union. Making room for children in a highly offering and after all, hazardous universe of information spread like the virtual world does seem an idea of the future, but drawbacks such as information security are likely to surface as well.
The great news of the happy purchase was announced by Launchpad Toys itself, as the following message appears painted with big letters on their official page: ‘’We’re proud to announce that our little toy company is pairing up with a great big team of tinkerers to empower GAJILLIONS of playful storytellers around the world.’’ While this first segment is rather ambiguous, the quote continues, bearing the message (smiley face at the end included): ‘’Launchpad Toys is joining Google to create even more amazing creativity tools for kids. Today, we’ve made our digital toys and tools free to creative kids everywhere. Tomorrow… well, we can’t wait to share. :)’’Sure, there is no hint at some ongoing projects or tools to be designed in a near future, but the enthusiasm of their union is a positive step towards a grand collaboration. More information will be revealed at the proper time.
Launchpad Toys is a 2010 founded company and is well-known for developing digital toys and tools which help children express their creativity in a playful manner and with the aid of technology. In comparison to traditional tools, Launchpad Toys does not only provide the instruments for creative behavior and artistic manifestations, but also widens the specter and the possibilities of the outcome.
An example of such children-friendly tool is Toontastic, a creative storytelling tool focused on kids’ drawing, narrating and recording their own cartoons. Launchpad Toys considers it to be the modern version of a puppet show. Probably an even more creative approach is TeleStory, an October 2014 released app. Launchpad Toys’ gimmick is an augmented reality TV camera which encourages children to record their own TV Shows.