LeapFrog LeapReader Reading and Writing System, Green

CUSTOMER REVIEW



We are long time users of the Tag pen system. We were pretty excited to read about this new and improved version several months ago when it was announced. We pre-ordered it so we could be some of the first to use it. We got one for each of our children - two total. We did not order from Amazon - though that would have been our preference. Amazon just didn't have the purple one in stock when we ordered. If you are excited for this improved device, it would be wise to temper your excitement. Though this is an improvement, it's not a direct upgrade.



Many of the Tag books that are supposed to be compatible have not been readied for the device quite yet. I'm surprised LeapFrog put this device out without baking their content fully. It seems content would take less time and effort than the hardware, but that's just a guess. Also, contrary to many of the early reviews I've seen, NOT ALL TAG BOOKS WILL BE COMPATIBLE. LeapFrog has a list of compatible titles on their website. LeapFrog did say in their press release that LeapReader "is backwards compatible with MOST of the Tag library." I just think it's strange that they didn't make all of the books compatible. Their support told me that if they don't make the book anymore, it won't be updated. I'm not sure why this is as it can't possibly take much effort to port the old files. I mean, at least make them an audiobook. I suppose it's licensing issues. You know who doesn't care about licensing issues? My 5 year old and 3 year old. They just know that Spider-Man won't work on their new pens. Their other favorite is "T-Rex's Mighty Roar." Fortunately, that one IS available as an audiobook, albeit not an interactive one.



The biggest nightmare of this device is the LeapFrog Connect software you have to use. It is recently updated to work with these devices. By "upgrade" I mean "made more annoying." Instead of just downloading content and syncing it to the pen from a content library (like your music library works in iTunes), you have to download the content each time you want to load it on a pen. This is annoying when you have multiple devices in a family. Most annoying, however, is the fact that the pen syncs EVERY TIME YOU CLICK A DOWNLOAD BUTTON. This will absolutely slow you down as you set this up the first time. Prepare to do this when the kids are not around. They will not be patient enough for LeapFrog Connect. Content management should work more like iTunes - or anything else that syncs content to a device. This is a uniquely odd and irritating experience.



With the criticism aside, I have to note what's really important. My kids love it and are excited to use it. The music player and trivia games are solid add-ons. We haven't tested out the writing system, but my five year old is especially excited to learn to use this. The content is a bit weak at the moment, but you can just look at the old Tag content to see how much this thing is going to grow. My daughter is currently listening to an audio book while my son is dancing like crazy to one of the included audio albums - a song about punctuation no less. They love it and have no comprehension or care about my irritations so far. That's what REALLY counts, isn't it?



LeapFrog Connect is just software - that can be fixed. The hardware is solid and well thought-out. You and your kids will see this as a good upgrade to the Tag system. Just think of it as an upgrade to a game console like XBox - stuff gets left behind. Don't think of it as an upgrade to something like an MP3 player where your content keeps working.