Comments
| By ccpljat Sep 6, 2008 |
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Something like this would probably be much better (engages the mind more, prepares them for massive typing later in life, etc.) than carrying around a Nintendo DS or PSP or the like.
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| By lrod9999 Sep 7, 2008 |
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Segment your kids market to 3-7 year olds and 7-14 year olds. Keep the base models the same, but allow for different installed software packages and accessories.
For the 3-7 year olds include or have available for purchase a snap-in keyboard protector to prevent liquids and dirt from getting into the keys. Make it a touchscreen that interacts with the software similarly to the Leapster product - these kids can't read yet but become quite computer-saavy if we grown-ups use visual cues to guide them (voice cues are not as effective). Lock down internet access, but pre-load some sites, make it foolproof for parents to add kid-safe sites and software. Include DVD player and graphics card to be able to run most movies, MP3 versions of kids shows, and edutainment games.
Make it easy to convert the model to the 7-14 year old version. Again, the base models are the same, but with custom packages. Allow the purchase of a conversion package. Give them music and ear-friendly headsets, allow stages of internet freedom. Create a DellKidz.com area just for them. Use the WebKinz model of limiting the text available for socially connecting, encourage global pen-pals, volunteerism, and other good and cool things. Bring in sports chats, maybe even have live events with sports role models. Encourage science and math - have contests. One contest could be similar to ideastorm where kids win a chance to come to Dell and work with the product team for a week or Dell comes to their school with a guest speaker and runs cool science demos and labs and/or scholarships.
Make the laptop screen swivel for easy DVD viewing or touchscreen game playing. Allow parents to set and lock volume controls. OK, there are a lot of features mentioned here and you want to keep the price down. So focus group the heck out of it to determine which to include in the base models and which to upsell as ad-ons or roadmap for future enhancements.
Create age-appropriate SAT-type quizzes for vocab and math - yes some kids actually enjoy them. My 10-year old does. Install a kids version of Mind Habits to help build confidence, self-esteem and a positive outlook. Yes, all the software development changes your business model. You could adapt your model or partner with an established company to offload the software development. Or simply concentrate on the delivering the hardware and let the community build the software.
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| By clocks Sep 12, 2008 |
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I think maybe you could roll out kid friendly options IN ADDITION to present product lines but I dont want to see the current offerings discarded or modified to make this segment of your laptop line become highly focused only on the juvenile usage audience. For a great deal of business travelers this mini makes a lot of sense as well.
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| By ccpljat Sep 12, 2008 |
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Good point although I don't think that was in the intent of this post.
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| By nicopoon Sep 21, 2008 |
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Make it spill & shock resistant, add parental controls, some educational SW for kids and you have a nice package
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