PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DEMO 08 CONFERENCE -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., (http://www.leapfrog.com/) a leading developer of technology-based learning products, today announced it will unveil its next-generation reading system at the exclusive DEMO 08 conference in Palm Desert, California, on January 29, 2008. Available this summer, the Tag Reading System (http://www.leapfrog.com/tag) is the first handheld learn-to-read technology that interacts directly with real books. Audio for the stories, as well as the fun-filled games and activities spread throughout the pages, is delivered through an innovative Web-based application called LeapFrog(R) Connect, offering children an entirely new and captivating reading experience. Consumers can get an early peek at the Tag reader's (http://www.leapfrog.com/tag) innovative technology at http://www.leapfrog.com/tag.
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"LeapFrog's Tag Reading System was hand-selected from hundreds of emerging products to debut at DEMO 08 because it is a promising new technology that encourages and supports young children as they learn to read," said Chris Shipley, executive producer, DEMO 08. "Its intuitive design and cutting-edge innovation literally bring books to life. It really is the next-generation reading system for a new generation of readers."
LeapFrog first revolutionized the electronic learning category with the introduction of its award-winning LeapPad(R) Learning System. With over 30 million LeapPad units and 72 million interactive books sold worldwide, LeapFrog became synonymous with learning to read for parents, teachers and children. The Company is reinventing the learn-to-read category with the Tag reader, which combines a state-of-the-art optical positioning system and next-generation, high-quality audio software, with LeapFrog School's proven reading methodology used in classrooms nationwide.
"We couldn't be more excited to unveil the Tag Reading System -- LeapFrog's successor to the LeapPad Learning System," said Craig Hendrickson, vice president of reading at LeapFrog. "The Tag Reading System brings together leading-edge technology, an intuitive product interface and the most engaging content to create a truly amazing, magical reading experience that has the power to instill a lifelong love of reading."
Reading Between the Lines
The Tag handheld works with Tag-enabled books to create an independent and interactive reading experience for children. By simply touching the highly responsive Tag reader anywhere on any page of a Tag book, children can bring their favorite stories to life, easily skipping from page to page or book to book.
The pocket-sized Tag platform "reads" by using a small, sophisticated infrared camera that works as an imaging system to recognize letters, words and symbols printed on the page. Using the PC- and Mac-compatible LeapFrog Connect Application, parents can download audio for each book in the Tag library, then manage content the way they manage MP3 or digital camera files. With 16 MB of on-board flash memory, the Tag reader can hold up to five books at a time.
All-New Proprietary LeapFrog Learning Path Lets Parents See the Learning
Launching in tandem with the Tag Reading System is LeapFrog's proprietary Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that interfaces with LeapFrog products to show parents what their child is learning and how their activities or games map back to the Scope and Sequence of educational skills that the Company has always built into every product. New online connectivity also allows children to access fun online rewards for off-line play and learning.
"Our Scope and Sequence has been the bedrock of our success for many years," said Dr. Jim Gray, director of learning for LeapFrog. "It's our secret sauce, and it's the first time we are making it available to parents so that they can see what their child is learning."
Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers across the U.S. to assess and instruct students in classrooms nationwide, the LeapFrog Learning Path allows parents to connect the Tag handheld to their computer to view details about the books their child has read, including the skills explored and progress made.
Beloved Classics and Favorite Characters Come to Life
The Tag Reading System will launch with an 18-volume library of children's classic books, activity books and activity cards. For the Tag library, LeapFrog has partnered with publishers HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and others to showcase beloved characters such as Fancy Nancy, Walter the Farting Dog, Olivia and Miss Spider.
AVAILABILITY
SUMMER 2008; AGES 4-8; Tag Reading System MSRP: $49.99; Tag Books and Activity Boards MSRP: $13.99 each
Kid classics Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type Fancy Nancy at the Museum The Little Engine That Could Olivia Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise Activity storybooks Disney/Pixar's Cars: Tractor Tipping Disney Princess: Adventures Under the Sea Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Golden Paddleball Go Diego Go!: Underwater Mystery I Spy: Imagine That! Kung Fu Panda: Po's Tasty Training Miss Spider's Tea Party Pirates! The Treasure of Turtle Island SpongeBob SquarePants: The Tour de Bikini Bottom T. Rex's Mighty Roar Activity boards Tag Funny Phrases Tag Super Speller Activity cards (MSRP: $7.99 EACH) National Geographic Birds and Sea Animals National Geographic Land Animals About LeapFrog
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is a leading designer, developer, and marketer of innovative, technology-based learning products and related proprietary content, dedicated to making learning effective and engaging for all ages, at home and in schools, around the world. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Emeryville, California. LeapFrog has developed a family of learning platforms that come to life with more than 100 interactive software titles, covering important subjects such as phonics, reading, writing, math, music, geography, social studies, spelling, vocabulary, and science. In addition, the company has created a broad line of stand-alone educational products for children from birth to 16 years. LeapFrog's award-winning U.S. consumer products are available in six languages at major retailers in more than 35 countries around the world. LeapFrog School's multisensory products currently reach students in more than 100,000 classrooms across the United States. LeapFrog School is a business division of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
About DEMO
Produced by Network World Events and Executive Forums, the semi-annual DEMO conferences focus on emerging technologies and new products, which are hand-selected from across the spectrum of the technology marketplace. The DEMO conferences have earned their reputation for consistently identifying tomorrow's cutting-edge technologies, and have served as launch pad events for companies such as Palm, E*Trade, Handspring, and U.S. Robotics, helping them to secure venture funding, establish critical business relationships, and influence early adopters. Each DEMO conference features approximately 70 new companies, products and technologies. For more information, visit http://www.demo.com/.
LEAPFROG, TAG and LEAPPAD are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. Copyright (C) 2008 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Media contacts:
Jaeme Sines Laczkowski Jenna Martin
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Kaplow Communications
510-812-0162 212-221-1713
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