Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Bristol
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Playful interactions are limited without in-app purchases.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Animal Phone
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
Kids can carry on a phone conversation with Graham Gorilla, even hearing their own answers repeated back by the gorilla. The interface is very similar to an actual iPhone call, with the Call button and End button. The gorilla calls and leaves messages for the kids as well. Young kids will enjoy calling their \"friends.\" Kids are encouraged to ask a grown-up about ordering \"food and toys\" for the animals, and more animal friends can be loaded for a fee via in-app purchase. Graham Gorilla is the only one included in the free app.
Is It Any Good?
ANIMAL PHONE is an attractive and fun app that allows kids to interact with pretend animals over a video phone type of toy. Tapping the animals allows kids to speak with them, but the gorilla only has a few movements and a few things to say. He will repeat back anything kids say to him, in a slightly lower/slower voice, but he will not have any significant response. Kids may tire of playing with just the one included animal, and will likely ask to purchase additional animal friends. This app doesn't stand very well on its own without the in-app purchases.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : discussion , speaking
- Skills : Creativity : imagination , Communication : listening , Tech Skills : using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : May 25, 2011
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Long Weekend LLC
- Version : 1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 3.1 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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