Talking Baby Hippo for iPad

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Talking Baby Hippo for iPad
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Talking Baby Hippo for iPad needs access to the device's microphone so it can replay what kids say aloud as if the baby hippo is speaking. The words repeat in a high-pitched, squeaky baby voice. The free app is pretty simple, with four interactions for kids to watch besides the hippo talking. A link at the top of the screen brings up five full-page ads for other apps. Kids can scroll through those but can't connect to the app store without completing the numerical kid-lock code.
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What’s It About?
Once parents give the app permission to access the device's microphone, it picks up anything kids say and repeats it in a baby voice; it looks as if the baby hippo is talking. Kids can tickle the hippo to make him laugh or poke his ears to make him jerk away. They also can feed him a carrot, watch him blow up a balloon, give him a pacifier, or make a butterfly fly by and make him sneeze.
Is It Any Good?
The voice recognition works quite well on TALKING BABY HIPPO FOR IPAD, picking up what kids say. Preschoolers will get a real kick out of hearing their words repeated. Beyond that, there's not much variety. The hippo eats a carrot. He blows up a balloon. He sucks a pacifier. He sneezes when a butterfly flies in his face. It's all good for a few delightful laughs, but there's not much to entertain for very long, and there's not much for kids to do beyond talking. The only moves they need to make are tapping the objects.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about speaking clearly. Can kids understand their words through the baby hippo's voice? If the words are garbled, encourage kids to try again.
Let preschoolers look critically at the fun game. Can hippos really talk? Do they blow up balloons or suck pacifiers?
App Details
- Device: iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: speaking
- Skills: Communication: listening
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: April 25, 2014
- Category: Entertainment
- Topics: Wild Animals
- Publisher: Out Fit 7 Ltd.
- Version: 2.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 5.0 or later
- Last updated: August 16, 2016
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love animals and apps for young kids
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