Filed under: Software
Great iPhone applications for parents
Our sister site ParentDish has posted an article on their favorite iPhone/iPod touch applications for parents. As an iPhone-toting dad, I've used mine to keep the little nippers busy with cute applications, but Sarah James has found even better options, including
- Baby Monitor Did you forget to bring Jr.'s monitor to Grandma's house? Put your iPhone next to his crib and launch Baby Monitor. When he starts to wail like a banshee, Baby Monitor calls a pre-determined number, like Grandma's landline. Baby Monitor costs $0.99US.
- Baby Tracker: Diapers I remember the days of The Diaper Pail* and anxious trips to the pediatrician's office. If that's still a part of your experience, check out Baby Tracker: Diapers. It lets you note the consistency, color and contents of Jr.'s waste. Giggle if you like, but I see exactly how this could offer peace of mind. Baby Tracker: Diapers costs $0.99US.
There are more, of course, so check out the full article. In the meantime, here are a few suggestions from this old dad:
- iChalky When my 3-year-old is out of patience, I hand over iChalky. Jiggle the phone and drag your finger to flip little Chalky all over the screen. The preschool set loves it. iChalky costs $0.99US.
- Jirbo Match My 5-year-old likes matching games, and Jirbo Match is challengeing enough to engage her. Jirbo Match costs $1.99US
- iTalk Think of something while you've got your hands full? Just launch iTalk and record that thought. Later, you can sync recordings with the desktop companion, iTalk Sync. iTalk is free.
While we're on the topic, I've got a request for the iPhone and iPod touch. The problem with letting the kids use them is that they sometimes navigate away from the application or video and get into other stuff (plus that whole "throwing and dropping" thing). Recently, my daughter deleted some photos I hadn't exported to my Mac.
That's hardly the end of the world, but it would be nice to put the phone in "Kid mode" and prevent them from navigating away from a video or application.
*Only today do I realize the insanity of having what amounted to a miniature cesspool in my bedroom.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Johnny said 12:33PM on 11-14-2008
I can definitely vouch that the iPhone is great for kids. My daughter loves to play on my phone and there are plenty of cool games for her. I have an entire page of apps just for her. Ditto on wishing for a 'kid mode', however. At least my daughter is now 5 and seems to be pretty good at following my directions to never hit the 'home' button without asking. Fortunately, the iPhone interface is simple enough for kid's to use too without getting into too much trouble.
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bingo said 12:53PM on 11-14-2008
iPhone interface is simple enough for kid's to use too without getting into too much trouble"
If only, something my 3yr old quite often manages to do is to hold and delete applications off my iPhone. If only Apple would add a matching setting for Restrictions for "Deleting Apps" to match the "Installing Apps" one... or maybe make a combo to prevent installation... and de-installation.
Of course it goes without saying that it is relatively easy to re-install apps but the deletion process also removes data; that could be less important game save data from "Topple" or it could be all my synched Passwords in "1Password"!!
brian said 1:54PM on 11-14-2008
I think the topic of the article should read "Great iPhone applications for parents who have one more iPhone to spare"....Honestly I cannot imagine leaving my iPhone at home for monitoring.....
but again, some of the iPhone apps mentioned are pretty good.....and cheap....so if you have more than one iPhone (and can afford it)....this might be a good idea.
http://www.livbit.com
Jash Sayani said 12:45PM on 11-14-2008
Wow! Baby monitor is the most unique app I have seen in a few months... However, if I use an iPhone myself, I cant keep it for baby monitoring. In that case I need a separate iPhone for that. But an iPhone just for baby monitoring would be too expensive....
I think it would be a great thing to do after the iPhone 3G price drop in Jan 09.
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Ryan Trevisol said 1:27PM on 11-14-2008
I hope you're kidding.
Seriously, I can see leaving it to charge in the room with your baby when you're home, but you take the kid to the baby sitter's and forget the monitor, so you leave your iphone there?
That makes no sense. Seriously. Who would say "Mom, thanks for watching my kid, and just to ensure that you can spend as much time today napping as possible, I'm going to leave my CELL PHONE with you. I won't need it today."
No, it's more like, "Sorry, forgot the monitor, guess you'll have to TiVO Matlock this afternoon."
Nim said 12:48PM on 11-14-2008
Found the 'Howcast' app today on the store today - it has a ton of handy parenting videos (amongst other things). Might be one to add to the list.
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Nim said 12:49PM on 11-14-2008
oops, here's the link:
http://info.howcast.com/iphone
Lewis said 12:57PM on 11-14-2008
Here's another vote for a "kid" mode. My daughter is very good at deleting apps. If only there was a way to disable the home button.
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Jean MacDonald said 9:09PM on 12-08-2008
A matching game with a twist is PearMe. It can use photos of your kids or things that they like, which seems to delight them. You can change them every so often to keep it fresh.
http://www.thefavoriteaunt.com/2008/08/08/iphone-apps-and-kids/
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LBDG said 1:03PM on 11-14-2008
If you have an unlimited voice plan, keep in mind it's technically in violation of AT&Ts terms to use your phone as a baby monitor:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/plan-terms.jsp
"Unlimited voice services may not be used for monitoring services...or other connections which do not consist of uninterrupted live dialog between two individuals. If AT&T finds that you are using an unlimited voice service offering for other than live dialog, AT&T may, at its option, terminate your service or change your plan to one with no unlimited usage components."
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Cameron said 1:10PM on 11-14-2008
I don't see how the Baby Monitor app violates the TOS. It's not a live, full time connection, as is implied in that paragraph. It just calls you when the baby wakes up. Completely different.
Keith said 1:23PM on 11-14-2008
LBDG
What'd you do, lose your job as an Ethics Attroney @ Goldman Sachs?
What a moron
LBDG said 1:26PM on 11-14-2008
@Cameron:
Duh. You are correct (he says redfaced for not fully reading and comprehending the post)...
Joe said 1:54PM on 11-14-2008
My 5yo niece now takes the phone away from me when I am playing - she really likes Koi Pond and watching the movies I have on my phone. Funnier thing was going to an Apple Store to meet up and seeing an entire iTouch table manned by kids playing games!
That said, my niece has deleted a movie and some e-mails - nothing important, yet. A kid mode would be nice. It was really surprising to see her navigate the phone, but I guess that's a sign of an easy to use OS.
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McCreary said 2:04PM on 11-14-2008
Hey folks, some I would guess without kids. The baby monitor is to use when you are in the same house not away from your precious bundle of joy. Leave it in the room with baby and it rings the land-line in the other room to tell you baby is awake.
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iBearTouch said 2:04PM on 11-14-2008
my kids love Jirbo Match, Math Fun and Toc Tac Toe. They are 5 & 3 yrs. My son likes watching my critter from Spore "eat the fishes"!
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Aaron said 2:10PM on 11-14-2008
If I knew how to develop for the iphone, I would create a program to track breastfeeding. You could pick a side (left or right) and tap to start. Tap again to end or switch sides. My wife constantly asked when was the last time she breastfeed. She did write it on a paper log, but it was easy to lose.
I would also include a way to log dirty diapers. We had to do this when our son wasn't gaining weight like he should.
Finally it would also be able to log fevers and medicines.
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Jamus said 3:04PM on 11-14-2008
Here are some 3yr old fan favorites:
Koi Pond, ABC Animals, First Words, SpinArt, ZooBox, Match, Adventure, Animals LITE, and last but nowhere close to least... Jigsawed. Jigsawed has been the surprise hit of all because you can use your own photos to let them use as puzzle pieces. A 3x3 puzzle usually works great.
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B said 3:51PM on 11-14-2008
Dont forget BucksMe for parents to get some coffee to keep them awake.
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Chris said 5:51PM on 11-14-2008
Try TrixieTracker: www.trixietracker.com It tracks diapers, sleeping, bottles, breastfeeding, medicine, pumping, etc. It's about $4 a month. They also offer just diaper tracking for free. I use it to track our daughter's stats with their analysis tools. Pretty geeky and amazingly addicting. Plus, they have a iPhone/iPod Touch optimized interface, too.
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