Disney and Vodafone designed the new smartwatch Neo for children
Neo, this is the latest creation born from the strong and creative collaboration between the telecommunications company Vodafone and Disney which worked together to design the first smartwatch for children.
The new device was presented in London through a virtual press conference, the goal of the creators is to make available a watch able to create the first contact between the little ones and the technology without being too invasive and allowing its use in complete safety.
The Vodafone Smart App will be the control centre for all parents who will be able to choose the trusted contacts to save, will get updates on their child’s location and will have the chance to manage usage times by deciding if and when to disable the smartwatch, its battery, in stand-by, lasts up to 48 hours. Parents and children can always stay in touch thanks to the exchange of chats, calls, emojis and video messages from 10 to 30 seconds. Neo, to protect the safety of the little ones, will not have the opportunity to connect to the internet or to social networks.
The device is small, weighs just over 40 grams, has a 1.2-inch screen with a 5-megapixel camera and is waterproof, in addition the polyurethane watch-strap will be available in different colours. Technology mixed with fun and entertainment allows children to customize their watch by choosing an animated helper among various Disney characters such as Darth Vader, Minnie, Elsa, Baby Yoda, Buzz Lightyear and many others, which can be changed at any time. The watch has also been designed to support physical education thanks to the activity tracker, the pedometer and the ability to set different goals.
The designer Yves Béhar, together with his fuseproject team, joined this project which was born from the “search for a balance between the needs of children and those of their parents, ease of use and portability. We have created an inclusive and accessible product, without compromising on the user experience and with an innovative industrial design”.
“As a flagship product, Neo underlines Vodafone’s investment in the smart tech category” said Luftu Kitapci, managing director of Vodafone Smart Tech, who then added: “It demonstrates how we are building a platform that has the potential to drive significant value for the business, while also differentiating ourselves in this growing industry. Combining Vodafone’s leading design and technology capabilities, together with the world’s best loved characters from Disney, has created an incredible product that both parents and kids will love”.
The product is not yet available on the market, but next year it will be possible to buy the new Neo by Vodafone and Disney at the price of 199 euros. Design, functionality, entertainment and safety will be mixed in a small and versatile device designed for the little ones.