by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Group Marketing Specialist

9/22/2010

Here at Ruckus, we’re keenly aware of the fact that smart phones and moms go together like peanut butter and jelly, just like the sandwiches they make for their kids. Moms are the CEO’s of their families. They’re in charge of scheduling, shopping, planning activities, keeping kid’s routines and making sure that everyone is busy and happy. Then there’s the smart phone, which, like the mom, is the keeper of contacts, calendars, email and other useful applications to track everyday life. Some moms keep their shopping lists on their phones while others keep track of their calorie counts. Many use it for personal entertainment – listening to their favorite music while they work or exercise, browsing the Internet or using entertainment apps.

Now that apps are getting mLyla with iPhoneore and more educational, moms can use their phones to entertain their children, and moms don’t have to feel guilty about passing their phone to their kids. Many apps introduce a child to the world of reading, improve reflexes, critical thinking and good decision-making skills. At the end of this month, we’re launching five classic story apps that will suit moms on the lookout for digital apps that are both entertaining and educational. And totally “guilt-free”.

According to a survey by mobile advertising network, Greystripe, last year, 59% of iPhone moms surveyed let their children use their iPhone and 41% of moms who own iPhones download apps specifically for their children to use. Our guess is that the percentage of moms who pass their devices to their kids has grown even higher in the last year, particularly with the introduction of the iPhone 4, this past April’s launch of the iPad and the increasing popularity of Android phones. If you look around, like our founder Rick Richter mentioned in his message the other day, you’ll find kids tapping on iPads and iPhones all over the place. We’ve spotted kids using these devices in restaurants, on airplanes, in waiting rooms, in coffee shops, at the mall. Step into any smart phone store and half the clientele consists of youth and teenagers exploring the various products, planning their next purchase.

The “guilt-free” classics that we’re releasing as digital apps at the end of the month include these Play-Read-and-Record-Along animated stories:

• Tom Thumb and the Knights of the Round Table, told by John Cleese, illustrated by Tim Gabor, music by Elvis Costello
• The Velveteen Rabbit, told by Meryl Streep, illustrated by Dave Jorgenson, music by George Winston
• Johnny Appleseed, told by Garrison Keillor, illustrated by Stan Olson, music by Mark O’Connor
• Pecos Bill, told by Robin Williams, illustrated by Tim Raglin, music by Ry Cooder
• John Henry, told by Denzel Washington, illustrated by Barry Jackson, music by B.B. King

As the count-down to launch begins, we’re asking our readers, who are some of your favorite authors or illustrators that you would like to see tell stories in this new medium? Please send your ideas to holly@ruckusmediagroup.com.