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Tellagami Edu
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- $4.99
- Entertainment
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Tellagami is an app that lets kids create their own animated characters that speak typed or recorded audio. Kids can select the character's skin color, hairstyle, outfit, and gender and place their character in a real or imagined setting. Unfortunately, most background images in the app are only available as in-app purchases, and the on-screen character can't be customized much beyond its Caucasian-looking features. This app might be a good option for kids who are less comfortable reading a story in their own words or telling a story on video; they can type their words into Tellagami and have the built-in text-to-speech feature do the speaking instead. Although that feature is powerful and helpful, Tellagami's features and utility don't venture much further. The privacy policy states that kids need to be 13 or older to use the app.
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What's it about?
TELLAGAMI is a mobile app for creating a custom animated video called a "gami." Users enter text or record audio and then choose from a range of skin tones, outfits, and hairstyles (most require in-app purchases) to create a custom character to deliver the recording. Users then place a character against a background selected from the free built-in options or the device’s photo library or from among several background "packs" available for purchase within the app.
Is it any good?
Tellagami is supposed to enable users to share their "gamis," but frequent error messages and crashes with the in-app sharing features make the user experience uneven. After making a few gamis, it becomes clear that there's not much variety in the animation: The character's hand gestures don't seem to vary depending on the audio. It also would be nice if there were more options for characters, more free background options, and the possibility to have more than one character on-screen.
The most frustrating part is the way the in-app purchases are set up -- it feels sneaky, and users are severely limited in options unless they make several purchases.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how changing the character's expression can affect the meaning of the text.
Ask kids to draw or import images of faraway places to serve as background images for videos.
Talk to kids about how Tellagami might help them explain a concept or tell a story in a new way.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Communication: conveying messages effectively, multiple forms of expression, presenting
- Price: $4.99
- Pricing structure: Paid ($4.99)
- Release date: February 20, 2014
- Category: Entertainment
- Size: 54.70 MB
- Publisher: Tellagami Labs Inc.
- Version: 1.0.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 6.0 or later; Android 4.1 and up.
For kids who love animation and creativity
Our editors recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.