Technology

The Fly pen uses technology developed and licensed by Swedish company Anoto Group. LeapFrog offers the technology in a round pen suited for children ages 8 to 14 since 2004 as both an educational tool and for entertainment.

Description

The pen performs various tasks, including playing MP3s and games, keeping your schedule, helping with homework and saving notes to be downloaded to your PC. It can say words out loud that your write on paper, solve basic math problems and even answer commands like "tell me a joke". These activities must be done using Fly pen notebooks and ink. Some of the games are additional add-on accessories.

Accessories

Fly pens have a whole lingo of their own. For example, additional games you can purchase to use with the pens are called "Flyware" and generally cost around $10.

Awards

The Fly pen was won the Toy of the Year, Most Innovative Toy of the Year and Educational Toy of the Year awards.

Discontinued

As of 2009, the Fly pen by LeapFrog has been discontinued, and any retailers selling them are simply selling any remaining stock they may have. The pen was discontinued after the passing of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in February 2009 that requires that any ball-point pen designed or intended for users under 12 years of age must be removed from the market due to stricter lead standards the Fly pen had a ball-point tip. The company states they it is working to offer a new product that complies with these standards.

Source:

Fly Fusion Pen

LeapFrog's Wild Ride

USA Today: "Digital Pen Lets Fly with High-tech Cool"

Resource:

Leapfrog Community Forum