Posts Tagged ‘Apple’

Twitter Party Wrap Up: Moms and Tech

Posted by ruckusholly on March 2nd, 2012

Did you know that in 2010, 88% of women purchased tech products as compared to 83% percent of men?  Yep, it’s a proven stat.

With this stat in mind, last night we gathered with dozens of amazing women on Twitter to talk about MOMS and TECH.  We were curious about the gadgets they’re using, how they’re using tech and how they’re balancing their usage, as well as their kids.

We also gathered four tech bloggers to moderate and guide us as we talk about two topics close to their hearts and professional lives.  They were:  Beckie Mostello from Tech Talk for Moms, Heidi Leder from Coast 2 Coast Mom, Jacqueline Cromwell from Nerd Family Blogs and Grace Duffy from Formerly Gracie.

What did we find out?  That moms are tech geeks.  They’re using iPads, iPhones, Mac Computers, Androids, Roku, HP Laptops, Apple TV, nooks and more.  When asked what gadgets they’re currently using, they had a lot to say:

Tracyparral: I use my desktop, laptop, iPad, and Samsung tablet, and on occasion my phone.

Graceduffy: I have an obscene number of tablets in my house.

CoziFamily:  I’m such an Apple geek: Macbook, iPad, iPhone are my main gadgets.

These tech savvy moms are online often but they balance their time when the kids are around.

C2C Mom: We’re always connected!

hippie_mom: Phones are to easy for mulit-tasking so always.

nikki2kids: too many hours, but I”m always connected to the internet.

techtalkformoms: most of the day, I try to turn off when kids get home from school.

ophelan83: My kid is a techbaby. I dont ever stop him from using it because its just part of his generation

There are lots of social media moms.  Women use it to connect to other moms, they use it for work, as well as pleasure, but are definitely more careful of their use of venting on social media.  There is also a clear love for Pinterest among women, as most at our party last night expressed their love for the new, extremely popular tool.

lilstylefile: Social Media is a creative outlet for us! We use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram on a daily basis!

IrishRed02: Yes! Its a sounding board for many facets of life: advice, questions, rants.

Women choose gadgets for functionality, not design.  They use apps to manage their busy lives, particularly calling out to Google Calendar, Cozi, Stickie Notes, Drop Box and Evernote.

And moms love educational apps. They had a lot to say about their importance:

secretskri_jail: educational apps are very important. that is what we try and find. educational yet fun

techtalkformoms: ebooks are another mode to help a struggling reader learn to read

CoziFamily:  Agree! Book apps, educational apps. I’ll let my kids spend way more time on that than just games

techtalkformoms: I think book apps r great, what ever it takes to get children reading!

@iPad_storytime: if I focus on the quality of tech use by my kid, it’s easier 2 set limits on quantity.

ophelan83: Super important! Education is our first priority in my home.

We couldn’t have enjoyed our discussion more and thank everyone for coming to our Moms & Tech Twitter Party.  We also send our congratulations to all the prize winners and thanks to our wonderful prize sponsors: Cozi, FashionPlaytes, The Digital Mom Handbook,Blue Sky Planners, Discovery Bay Games and My Little Pony.

It’s a wrap!

Calling All Parents, Teachers, Librarians and more: Reading Tips Wanted

Posted by ruckusholly on February 27th, 2012

Teacher and Parent TipsCalling all parents, childcare providers, teachers, reading specialists and literacy professionals including librarians!

We at Ruckus Media Group, creator of award-winning interactive storybooks for children, are looking for reading tips to stimulate children’s love of reading, both inside and outside the classroom. Who better to write those tips than you, the expert? We know that you work with children day in and day out to find that “just-right” way for each child to develop a love of reading, whether they are your own children or your students.

Please email your creative reading tip and photograph to TeacherTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a specialist) or ParentTips@RuckusMediaGroup.com (if you are a parent). If your tip is chosen, we’ll credit the submission with your name and image, and post a link directly to your site or school. And, you’ll also be eligible to receive a $10 iTunes gift card to select your choice of stories from our library.

Here are the rules, terms and conditions (make sure you read the fine print before entering):

  • You must be at least 18 years old to enter.
  • Photos (high-resolution jpegs at a maximum size of 100 KB) must accompany all submissions, and should include your name, title, school (if applicable), city and state. If you would like us to link to your blog or website, please send us your URL.
  • Reading tip minimum word count: 25 words.
  • Only authors of tips selected by Ruckus Media Group will receive a $10 iTunes card.
  • All submitted reading tips will be reviewed by an education adviser appointed by Ruckus Media Group.
  • If selected, you must fill out a consent form (to be provided by Ruckus Media Group) certifying that you are the individual in the photos, that you are the individual identified by the submitted name and contact information, that all submitted information is true and accurate and that you own the copyright interest in all submitted materials and have the right to consent to Ruckus Media’s Group’s use of such materials.  You also agree to indemnify RMG against any and all liability to third-parties arising from RMG’s use of your submission as described below.
  • You grant Ruckus Media Group permission to use the submitted: tip, photo, name, school name and location information for any and all promotional purposes related to Ruckus Media Group.
  • Ruckus Media Group reserves the right to end this campaign at any time and to refuse acceptance of further submissions without notice.

 

We can’t wait to work together to continue our mission to create experiences through mobile devices that educate children and stimulate literacy.

Start sending your tips (you can send as many as you like) today and let’s motivate the world to read!

Inspiring Children Through Technology at the Darien Library

Posted by ruckusholly on February 10th, 2012

Here at Ruckus Media, storytelling is our priority.  Our mission is to create experiences through mobile devices that entertain toddlers to teens from their fingers to their minds. We are always looking for partners who feel the same way.  Libraries fall into that category, and we are constantly inspired by the strides being made by their efforts in the digital space.  This past October, we joined forces with School Library Journal for a Twitter Party about this very subject.  You can check out the party’s wrap-up.

The Darien Library is one such partner who feels the same way about digital storytelling as we do.  I have read about the tech initiatives that they have created to inspire digital children but wanted to experience them firsthand, so yesterday I headed over to meet with some of the folk behind the scenes to hear more.

The staff agrees that interactive storybooks and apps should not replace traditional books but that both can co-exist and support one another.  Their efforts to teach and inspire children about literacy via digital story-telling are truly inspiring and I want to share some of their educational methods here:

Darien LibraryFirst, I was introduced to an interactive e-book area.  Right in the middle of the children’s section, there’s an iPad mounted on a wall. It’s pre-loaded with an “App of the Day” for young children to experience. Children were gathered around the iPad, exploring its every touch and feel, and watching words and images slide across the screen.  It’s a great way to introduce children to the world of iPads and digital storytelling.

Then I was introduced to their Early Literacy iPad Kits.  Their six available kits to check out include an iPad 2 in a tote bag, pre-loaded with librarian-selected apps and eBooks designed to stimulate early literacy skills. The kits also include informationdarien library for grown-ups on using technology with young children, research on appropriate amounts of screentime, evaluating apps for children, and a list of the librarian-selected apps.

The kits may be borrowed for one week by parents of children ages 2 to 5.  I think these are brilliant and fantastic opportunities for parents and children to explore new technologies and digital storytelling.

They also have a Microsoft surface table, a table top, pre-loaded iPad with specialized apps like Chess.

The library really focuses on children as readers and creators and they offer classes to teach them more about the digital space (the levels go from Little Clicklets, Techplorers and i-Kids).  They realize that there is a current generation of digital kids and they are making every effort to provide the tools they need to be successful.

Lastly, they have just launched an initiative called “Appy Hour” which will give adults a chance to find out how to stay on top of the best apps.  Parents will be able to find out how to find the best apps for kids, for example.

What are your libraries doing to advance children’s technical skills and introduce the world of e-book and apps?  We’d love to hear in the comments below.

Our Newest Partnership Promotes Science, Kids and the Universal Love of Dinosaurs!

Posted by ruckusholly on February 9th, 2012

Dino Dan

Do you have dinosaur-loving kids?  Then you’re certainly familiar with Dino Dan, a Canadian/American television series for children seen in 100 countries around the world.  The award-winning series was created by Sinking Ship Entertainment and follows the adventures of a paleontologist-in-training and his friends, who uncover clues about the past and secrets of dinosaurs.

After announcing our recent partnerships with Cyberchase, which combines digital media with math, SeaWorld, which delves into the wonders of the sea, The Wiggles, which teaches kids valuable skills through music and fun and Crayola, which offers kids creative tools to learn, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Dino Dan.  The brand teaches kids how to use scientific methods to explore and identify everyday problems.  As you can, we’re onto something here!

We have been granted worldwide English language rights to develop interactive DINO DAN e-books, enhanced e-books, interactive storybooks and story-based applications.   The new Ruckus digital storybooks, designed for children ages 4-8, will expand kids’ knowledge of dinosaurs and develop their scientific thinking and problem-solving skills as they build their literacy skills.  The first three storybooks will be available for mobile devices in April 2012.

To find out more about our upcoming DINO DAN apps, please check out the press release and sign up for our newsletter to stay on top of all our latest news!

 

App Production 101: Words from Our Story Editor

Posted by ruckusholly on February 6th, 2012

In the upcoming weeks, we are going to delve more into the process of App Production, as requested by many of you on Twitter and elsewhere.  We heard direct from Patrick Dorey, our Art Director, about the creative process last week, as well as from Lynn Smith, our Director of Business Development, about how great ideas come to fruition.  Today we’re learning about the editorial process with words from Susan Hood, our Story Editor.  We sat down with Susan to find out more about the editorial process.  Here is what she had to say:

Susan Hood

As the story editor and curriculum advisor, I work very closely with our chief content director, producers, curriculum consultants and art department. So a variety of talents go into the editorial soup! Here’s the Ruckus recipe for cooking up a great digital storybook:

Gather the best ingredients

1. When we decide to do a new digital storybook, we meet with the creators—authors, illustrators and/or licensees (such as Hasbro, SeaWorld or Cyberchase). We learn all about their characters, brands and curriculum goals. We discuss art assets, voiceover talent, music, activities and video clips.

2. We hire appropriate authors and consultants to write original stories or adaptations. As with any story, we may have several drafts until we get a final, polished manuscript.

3. When the story is complete, we work with our curriculum consultants and designers to develop age-appropriate games and activities that go with each story.

4. Meanwhile, any original art is created. We review sketches, revisions and final art and ensure the art works with the text.

Combine and stir

5. The producers create basic storyboards combining text with art assets, video clips and ideas for activities and games.

6. Using the storyboards as a rough guide and working hand in hand with our producers, the art department designs final screens and activities.

7. Meanwhile, voiceovers are recorded and added.

Check the temperature

8. At various steps along the way, everything is reviewed by the creators, our publishing partners and our curriculum consultants and any necessary revisions are made.

9. We consult with our tech team at various stages to iron out any potential programming issues.

Add the special sauce

10. Sound effects, animations and music are added.

Simmer…

11. Rough builds are made and reviewed and refined by our editorial, production and art departments.

And serve!

12. Final builds are submitted to Apple and then released in the iTunes store.

Serves thousands!

 

Susan Hood was mostly recently the Children’s Content Director of Nick Jr. Magazine, published by Nickelodeon, and has been an editor at Scholastic and Sesame Workshop. She is also a children’s book author, whose first picture books will be published this fall.


With Cyberchase, Math is Everywhere (And So Are We!)

Posted by ruckusholly on February 2nd, 2012

CyberchaseToday we are thrilled to announce our first partnership with a PBS property, as well as the folks at WNET!  And it’s none other than Cyberchase, a favorite of so many our own children.

You’ve seen us recently buzz about partnerships with Hasbro, Crayola, SeaWorld and most recently, the Wiggles.  And now we’re adding Cyberchase!

Cyberchase is an enthralling series that inspires children to the real practicalities of mathematics.  As education is becoming more and more important in the space of children’s apps, we are honored to be a part of what this dynamic show is bringing to the table.  The Cyberchase apps will fuse math and problem-solving interactive stories with interactive components for parents. They will be the first suite of interactive storybooks from Ruckus that promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning, a critical area of focus in education and the heart of Cyberchase’s mission.

We have been granted worldwide right to develop interactive storybooks based on this Emmy-award winning PBS KIDS Go! math series.  The show airs on more than 300 public television channels nationwide and features a team of curious kids who use math and problem solving to outsmart a villain cyberchasein their adventurous quest to save Cyberspace.  We KNOW that our existing Ruckus fans are going to be excited as we are about our partnership, as well as all the Cyberchase fans out there in the cyber-verse!

The storybook applications, designed to inspire confidence in and enthusiasm for math for children ages 4 through 8 will operate on iPhone, iTouch, iPad and Android-enabled mobile devices and tablets.  Ruckus will release 12 titles each year in two reading and math levels with the first titles scheduled to release worldwide with English language distribution through iTunes at the App store in April 2012, followed by Android releases later in the year.

To read more about our relationship, check out the press release. And let us know how if you or your child is a big fan of Cyberchase, who your favorite characters are, what you like about the show and more in the comment section below.


 

 


 

App Production 101: Words from Our Art Director

Posted by ruckusholly on February 2nd, 2012

In the upcoming weeks, we are going to delve more into the process of App Production, as requested by many of you on Twitter and elsewhere.  First up, we have an explanation of who does what on each project by Pactrick Dorey, our Art Director, based out of our NYC office.  This is a very broad overview and we will try to get more into the specifics in the upcoming weeks.

 

my little pony

Here’s a break down of various peoples jobs that work on each app:

First, dancing pixies sprinkle fair dust on a iPad and speak some secret magic words and with a burst of light, an interactive story book app is born. (Just kidding!)

First,  a producer will work out with the client on the general concept of the app. For instance, if the story is based on an existing TV show episode or an original story, there are particular considerations.

Then a writer will write the original story or adapt it.

Once the story is ironed out, the producer will use it to create a rough storyboard which gets handed off to a few designers.

The designers will piece together story page art using existing images and digitally create some of the graphics from scratch and create animation.

Meanwhile, voice recording will take place and story’s narration begins.

When all the graphics and audio are complete and approved by the client, then everything will go to a team of developers to program the functionality.

At the end, the finished product gets delivered to Apple for their approval.

Once Apple approves it, then they will put the book in the iTunes App Store.

And voila, an app is born!


Message from Lynn Smith, New Business Development: We’re On to Something Here

Posted by ruckusholly on January 31st, 2012

Lynn Smith

This post was written by Lynn Smith, Director of New Business Development here at Ruckus.  You can read about her background here.

We’re on to something here…

Moving from the print publishing world to the digital world is an exciting but daunting change to make, mainly because of the learning curve.  When representing a print publisher, licensors understand what you do & how you do it (and so do you).  A presentation could be as simple as saying the name of the company.  Everyone knows it and wants to partner.  However, coming to Digital, I find myself not only educating people about our company, but explaining the many facets of the digital publishing world.  Therefore, instead of brand owners presenting to me… I am more often presenting to them.  And I have found that the best way to show them what we do, is simply by reading a digital book with them.  Following that, I not only get a coveted “A-ha” moment, I get a “wow, that’s amazing!” moment.

By way of example, at last year’s licensing show, I was late to a meeting (as everyone is at Licensing Show) and had only 20 minutes (in the food court of all places), before I had to run off to my next meeting. I gave a brief overview of our company & then quickly showed our Hasbro Chuck & Friends digital book.  The licensor was floored. I returned from Licensing Show with significant interest, which turned into a more formal sit-down, which turned into an offer, which is now a collaborative, signed, partnership.

I am amazed daily by what my company is creating and ideas that we are generating.  It takes a lot of talented minds, hard work, and passion to build the catalog we have, but I have to give credit where credit is due – because our producers make my job that much easier.  To think that a 20 minute minute food court meeting would turn into a contract sounds crazy, but it’s not that far off when you experience our products.

And I figure… if I’m this fascinated by what we can do, imagine what our 4 year old consumers will do when they see it.

Inspiring Kids and Families to Connect with Animals and the Natural World

Posted by ruckusholly on January 17th, 2012

It’s another exciting day here at Ruckus Media.  We told you that we had a lot in store for 2012 and today we want to tell you about our partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.  Together, we are launching a multi-year licensing deal to create digital storybooks that will inspire kids and families to connect with animals and the natural world. The stories will be based on SeaWorld’s animals, attractions and education and conservation efforts.

With this partnership, we’re growing our list of brands and favorite characters — adding to Hasbro and Crayola — but branching into a subject that kids and families love — science, nature, the environment.

We are also continuing to expand our emphasis on Social Good, following up our campaign with St. Jude Children’s Hospital.  Reflecting SeaWorld’s commitment to conservation, a portion of all the proceeds from the digital interactive books will be donated to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The Fund is a non-profit charitable foundation that supports wildlife research, habitat protection, animal rescue and conservation education around the world.

The first three books in the SeaWorld series will launch this spring, including three interactive storybooks for kids ages 3 to 8 thatSeaWorld appeal to emerging, beginning and independent readers. The interactive storybooks will connect kids with SeaWorld’s killer whales, penguins and sharks and will be available at the App store for Apple mobile devices. New children’s storybook apps will be released throughout the year.

For more information about our partnership with SeaWorld, read the press release that went out earlier.

CNET Gotham and Cool Mom Tech: A Live Holiday Guide

Posted by ruckusholly on November 14th, 2011

Cool Mom TechLast week we were fortunate to be invited as special guests to a special event in NYC co-hosted by Cool Mom Tech. It was an interactive pop-up called CNET Gotham: A Live Holiday Guide. Held in NYC’s Nolita neighborhood, the five-day pop-up showcased favorite products of the tech media website’s editorial staff. The topic was holiday recommendations for families, with suggestions made by CNET TV Executive Editor Molly Wood and CNET Reviews Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Turrentine, as well as Kristen Chase and Liz Gumbinner of Cool Mom Tech.  You couldn’t ask for a better list of the season’s most trendy and useful gadgets to jump-start any holiday shopping list.

If you’re looking for family-friendly gadgets to get for your loved ones this season, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the hot tech recommendations made by these extremely smart women.  The complete list will be published today by Cool Mom Tech, so look out for it.

Best camera (recommended by Cool Mom Tech):  Sony Cybershot

Best camera (recommended by CNET): Canon Rebel T3i

www.apple.com/ipad

Source: www.apple.com

Best tablet: iPad 2

Best iPad & iPhone case: CECCEC

Best nook tablet: Kindle Fire

Best streaming media box: Roku

Best wireless router: Belkin

Best laptop: MacBook Air

Best kid’s iPad: Leap Frog

Best kid’s video game for the iPad: Atari Arcade Duo

Best phone: Droid Razor

Disclosure: We were proud contributors to the new gift bags for the CNET Gotham event.