Parentology: Will the Vinci computer help babies?

Los Angeles Times:

A computer for babies may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but a Canadian company has just made it reality. Last month Rullingnet Corp. launched Vinci, a 7-inch touch-screen tablet that sells for $389 to $479 and is marketed exclusively for children 4 and younger.

To some parents, Vinci is an exciting, if pricey, step in the future of early childhood education. For others, the idea of buying a tablet for a baby is excessive, if not downright creepy. As Rullingnet points out, this is a serious computer.

“The Vinci is not an imitation — it is a real touch-screen Android-based product, bringing the most advanced technology to the benefit of our youngest citizens,” the company said on its website. The product’s tag line: “Inspire the genius.”

Although the Vinci is believed to be the first tablet designed for babies as young as 1 week old, researchers said modern parents are increasingly likely to hand over a computer to a baby. A recent study by Parenting magazine and BlogHer found that 29% of Generation X moms say their children had played with a laptop by age 2, and that number grows to 34% for Generation Y moms. Roughly one-third of Gen Y moms also report that by age 2 their children were familiar with cellphones, smartphones and digital cameras. A slightly smaller percentage of Gen X moms say the same thing.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times