WIRED.com’s Geek Dad – Reverse Engineering An IDEO Toy Inventor

Find Out Why IDEO’s World Class Research Separates The Kids From The Adults!

Wired.com’s Geek Dad was interested in finding out how IDEO’s Toy Lab has been able to sustain success with their iPhone apps for kids, and more recently their work on the iPad.  IDEO has partnered with such great toy brands as Sesame Street, Fisher-Price and have even won awards for their work in this space.  So what makes a great app for kids?  The answer may surprise you!  Let’s just say that the Toy Inventors at IDEO do their homework.

Read Geek Dad’s article on “What Toy Inventors Create At IDEO” at Wired.com and learn about all of the hard work, research and creativity that go into creating  great apps for kids.

And after you’re done reading the article at Wired.com, see what all the excitement is about and get your own copy of Balloonimals HD from iTunes NOW!

Tags: Balloonimals, Geek Dad, IDEO Toy Lab, iPad, iPhone apps, research, Wired, Wired.com

IDEO Toy Lab’s “Elmo” and “Grover” iPhone Apps Win Parents’ Choice Awards

We’d like to thank the Academy… I mean Parents’ Choice for recognizing our efforts in the area of awesome and fun entertainment for kids on a mobile electronic device.  Elmo’s Monster Maker and Grover’s Number Special were both awarded Parents’ Choice Silver awards!  You can see all of the winners on the Mobile Apps Award page on the Parents’ Choice website.

And learn more about Elmo’s Monster Maker and Grover’s Number Special over on iTunes.

That’s right, what “Fans” of our iPhone apps for kids have known all along has finally been recognized by an official, credible publication; Parents’ Choice.

Parents’ Choice Foundation strives to provide parents with reliable unbiased information about tools to help their children learn, to explore new challenges, to discuss ideas and to pursue dreams through their print and online publications.

A very special thanks to Parents’ Choice for recognizing all of our hard work of passion.  We love making products and experiences that enrich the lives of kids around the world.

If you would like to stay up to date with our latest creations, releases and inspirations, make sure to join our IDEO Toy Lab Mailing List, and our Balloonimals Page On Facebook to learn about FREE iTunes promo code promotions.

Thanks again to the Parents’ Choice Foundation, Sesame Street Workshop, the IDEO family, and especially to all of our fans around the world who make all of our work possible!

Tags: award, Elmo's Monster Maker, Grover's Number Special, iPhone app, iPhone Apps For Kids, Parents' Choice

“Balloonimals” And “Elmo’s Monster Maker” Are International TV Stars!

We here at IDEO feel incredibly special to be one of the few select developers to get their iPhone apps for kids hand picked by Apple and featured on their television commercials.  We are excited to share this great news with you and to provide links to the actual commercials so you can enjoy them too!

Apple Features “Elmo’s Monster Maker” On Latest US TV Commercial (0:30)

Currently, Elmo’s Monster Maker is being highlighted on Apple’s “Family-Man” titled commercial.

This TV commercial demonstrates the iPhone’s value to the entire family as Elmo’s Monster Maker (EMM) is featured as a great way to keep the kids entertained on long (or short) road trips.

Featured along side Elmo’s Monster Maker app is Jamie Oliver’s cooking app (whoever that is ;P) and Viper’s remote car access app.  So I guess you could say that we are in good company.

Check out Apple’s 30 second commercial for yourself to see what parent’s who own EMM have known for a long time.

Then check out the product page to learn more about this great app and download Elmo’s Monster Maker from iTunes.

Don’t Worry, It Won’t Go To Our Heads

This isn’t the first time that IDEO’s apps have been featured by Apple.  You may recall (or just look at the older blog posts) that Balloonimals was featured in Apple retail displays on the display where the icons fly past you like a comet storm.

We would like to say thanks to Apple for recognizing all of our hard work.  But what gives us the greatest satisfaction is the miles of smiles that we see when someone picks up and really connects with our creations.  Play is not just fun, it’s our job, so we are glad that so many of you are getting exposed to IDEO’s iPhone apps for kids, and telling your families about them.

Tags: Apple, Balloonimals, China, Commercial, Elmo, Elmo's Monster Maker, EMM, iPhone, iPod Touch, iTouch, TV