Get a FREE fully-working copy of Steganos Security Suite 7 (worth £49.99) when you sign up to the Practical PC Newsletter. Review: Cybiko Fun for Kids
Don Bradbury looks at what may turn out to be the UK's 'toy of the year'
| Product | Cybiko |
|---|---|
| Company | Cybiko Inc |
| Web | www.cybiko.com |
| Price | £99.99 |
| We like | |
| We don't like | |
| Rating | 8/10 |
| Requirements |
Already described as "toy of the year" in the States (where it has sold at a rate of up to 10,000 a day), and by their press as "Palm Pilot meets Gameboy", the Cybiko is the latest technological 'inter-tainment system' aimed at grabbing the attention of 9-16 year olds.
In funky transparent plastic, ranging in colour from blue to yellow to purple, and complete with a three inch aerial for short range radio communications, and a plastic stylus whereby to operate the diddy qwerty keyboard, the device is styled to sit easily in the hand. At 5.7" x 2.8" x 0.86", and weighing just 4.3 ounces, the Cybiko can be described as fully portable.
A 55 x 35mm, 160 x 100 dots, 4 grey-scale, screen is adequate for the tasks demanded of it, and the built-in help is all any kid will need to get up and running in no time. The front panel is absolutely littered with tiny buttons and keyboard to control everything, and although I would have liked to see a clamshell cover - because accidentally pressing one of the keys is all too easy - kids will simply love the design and facility this device offers.
The CPU is a 32-bit 11 MHz Hitachi H8S/2246, and there's also an Atmel AT90S2313 co-processor running at 4 MHz. The default 1MB or memory can be expanded up to 8MB (to hold more games, mainly). Twin Ni-MH batteries power the unit for about 3 to 10 hours depending on mode (Chat, or Lost in Labyrinth game). You'll get 1 to 2 days use in a passive mode (calculator or clock).
Interactive games consume the most power, but RF transmissions also drain the batteries, as the does the integral vibrator which is used in games and to indicate power-up etc.
Features
Mainly intended as a wireless 'inter-tainment' system by means of which Cybiko users can communicate with one another over a wireless link up to a range of 100 yards, or about half that distance indoors, the device also features PDA facilities and desktop applications such as an organizer (To Do list, and daily/weekly/monthly calendar), study tools (homework tracker and the like), a basic text editor cum journal, a music composer which can replay through a speaker, a graphic editor, an address/phone book, a digital clock and alarm, an uploader and file manager, and a calculator.
In these, the keyboard is usable, though the keys are tiny and even some kids may need to use the stylus to help with input. You can just about, using the edge of a finger nail, make short notes by hand, but you wouldn't want to write anything really substantial in this way.
Messaging
Instant wireless messaging is a neat feature, and up to 100 similarly equipped friends can be in the network. Broadcasting, or one-to-one chats are possible, and phrases can be programmed in for quickly composing messages.
The email application lets you send and receive mail and ICQ messages with Cybiko-equipped friends, or via Internet access. PC connectivity is therefore featured, and a special lead connects via a standard PC RS 232 serial port.
Friend Finder locates on-line Cybiko users, either specified one-to-one or network, with auto-scans every 60 seconds. The CyCommunity application similarly lets you check your entire network for on-line users.
Games
A built-in supply of games gives a taste of hundreds that can be downloaded via a PC over the Internet, and all for free! The unit's CyOS operating system takes about 14 seconds to boot from power off, or just a couple of seconds from suspend mode, after which you have access to Pinball Pro, Lost In Labyrinth, Reversi 3, Men's Room 2, Cylandia Info, Cybiko Super-bike, and NSC Blazing Boards.
PC gamers will not want to compare these games with theirs, of course, nor will colour-screen Gameboy users, but each is capable of giving hours of entertainment in its own right. The really quite excellent manual (for this sort of money) details all the game playing and other facilities.
PC and Internet Connectivity
Other applications, as well as more games, can be downloaded from Cybiko's web site, and for this you just have to establish your own personal account at:
Via Internet Explorer 4.0 (or later), CyberLoad is used to pull apps from the web site into your PC and then Cybiko via its serial lead. When your memory is full you'll have to either upgrade it or ditch some less-used software to make room. You can also upload in a similar manner (your Cybiko pictures, for example), or send or receive Internet email.
Cybiko Wireless Internet Gate (CyWIG) consists of a PC connected to the Internet and your Cybiko device, and it gives wireless Internet access for all Cybiko users that are within the communications range.
In conclusion
Bringing its own CyBish language that can be used by chatters to express simple sentences or emotions with minimal keystrokes, the Cybiko offers kids a neat way of getting into the computer age - presuming they haven't already via their home PC.
But it's Cybiko's gaming and desktop applications, as well as wireless chat that they'll really go for. At the price, and with suitable promotion, I think it will prove a winner this Christmas. I see W H Smith have their flyers on display already.
