Fisher-Price iXL 6-in-1 Learning System (Pink)

To begin with, I think this is a fantastic gadget when it works properly. It's one of my daughter's favorites, especially in the car or at Nana's house. I have 5- It has 6 games installed and an SD card. However, I have to do a factory reset on it every few months because it stops turning on all the way, even with new batteries. I can't tell you how many times I've had to remove a battery to reset a phone that was stuck on the home screen or had the screen illuminated but no content. It currently will not turn on, despite the fact that it has not been abused in any way. If I can't get it to work at all, and she's only had it for four months, I'll have to change my rating. br>br>Recent changes: br>br> It's completely broken, but I'm sure it's just a flaw because I know a few people who have had one for years and swear by it. I just didn't strike it rich this time!.

Esme Conway

| Mar 15, 2021

Also, unlike the dreadful Leapster Explorer, it will not encourage your children to "connect" to their store and download (pay for) games. br>br> Seriously, Leapster was incredibly lame, and not being able to skip an advertisement movie that is BUILT INTO THE DARN SYSTEM is beyond infuriating. br>Sorry, my rant on the Explorer is over, but having your children marketed to and exploited in this way is extremely frustrating as a parent.

- Scroll down for a recap/summary if you don't want to read a lengthy post. br>br>I recently purchased my second and third iXL units. One to replace the one my daughter finally destroyed (it involved our 50-pound dog), and the other to give as a present to my niece! That's how much I adore this product, and after using both the MobiGo and the Explorer, I've concluded that it is the ultimate learning tool. br>br> It all started when I bought a used iXL at a local children's thrift store a few months ago. I usually go there to get cheap games for the MobiGo (and the Explorer before that). Because they only had duplicates of what my daughter already had, I inquired about the new LeapFrog tablet that was on sale with the store owner. br>br> He let me play with the LeapFrog and Vtech tablets after he opened their cases. They both appeared to be good toys, but despite being calibrated, they were slow to respond to my presses. They also didn't appear to be long-lasting enough for a family with two children. I asked the owner if he had any suggestions after learning that they had received many returns for broken tablets due to "accidents. " He pulls out this small clamshell brick and tosses it on the ground right in front of me! He takes it out of the box, turns it on, and begins playing. Then he tosses it back to the ground! The game had not yet ended. The screen was responsive, and I didn't notice any slowdown. It was also reasonably priced, costing about the same as the Vtech tablet and about $40 less than the LeapFrog tablet. I was about to purchase the new iXL when he informed me that they had a few used ones in stock that were not yet on the shelves. We looked through their used iXL system inventory and found one in good shape with four games already installed. It has it installed! He didn't charge me anything extra over the $30 I paid for the used iXL system because we have a good relationship (I do his computer repair work and he helps me with cool new kids toys). I also spent an additional $10 on two used game CDs that they had. br>br> Eventually, I tracked down all of the games I could in thrift stores and on Craigslist, and then purchased four more during Toys R Us' recent (and fantastic) sale. I bought four iXL games for $40, or $10 each, because they were offering two for the price of one (buy one, get one free). I would not pay the ridiculous price of $20 for the games. Amazon has a $30 price tag (Fisher-Price). Here, the price) is charged. Either go to a thrift store or keep an eye out for sales. br>br> If anything, Fisher-Price should be commended. The price of these "games" should be reduced to around $10-$15. $15. They don't give you a lot of bang for your buck, but my daughter adores them, so I put up with it. All you get are a few (usually three) very basic games, some extra themed pictures for the coloring book, a voiced story book, and some re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable re-usable pre-made skins for pre-made apps On the iXL, it's installed. Honestly, anything more than $10 for this "game CD" feels like a huge rip-off, which is why I love thrift stores, where I can usually find used iXL games for $5 to $10 USD. So far, I've purchased every single iXL game (a total of 15), with only four of them being brand new (from the sale). If Fisher-Price is to be believed, I wouldn't have to shop around because Price was selling these games for $10 or less (new games). I just can't justify paying $30 for something that costs $. Why should I have to pay the big bucks here when my Android phone costs 99 cents (or is free)? br>br> One of the best things about the iXL is that all of the games are stored either on the handheld or on an SD card that can be purchased separately. I plugged a spare class 6 8GB SDHC card into the system because I had one lying around. It's difficult to access (you have to unscrew a small screw), so it's safe from prying eyes. When the system is dropped, the card comes loose, but there is a simple solution. Simply use duct tape to create a buffer on the inside of the cover by placing small strips on the inside of the cover. This way, even in the event of a severe fall (down the stairs), the card will not be jarred loose or out of place. br>br>The fact that everything is stored on the handheld also means that NO CARTRIDGES WILL BE LOST WHOO HOOOO! Fisher-Price has scored a major design victory. Price. Even though MobiGo cartridges are relatively inexpensive (some can be found for less than a buck at local thrift stores/garage sales), it's a pain to have to go out and buy a game your child loves because it was misplaced, only to later find it in the strangest places (like an ice cream carton or the dog's house; I don't even ask how they got there anymore). All of these games, as well as music (mp3) and photographs (jpg), are first installed on your computer and then transferred to your child's system via the iXL software. The system software also does a good job of converting images to fit the small screen, so they don't look distorted or strange and actually fit well. The best part is that the stylus can then be used by the child to draw on these images! My daughter enjoys giving me a mustache and a beard, while her mother is given cat ears and whiskers. Her writing ability has improved dramatically since she purchased the iXL because the software allows you to "draw" the ABCs and teaches you to count. She now has better penmanship than I do (which isn't difficult because I write with both hands, switching when one gets tired, and everything still looks like chicken scratch). br>br>I also appreciate how educational the games are. They range from gathering objects in a specific order (which teaches counting) to matching objects (which teaches memory) to fun game-like challenges! All of the games are appropriate for my daughter, and she thoroughly enjoys them all. They're also all extremely user-friendly, far more so than the Vtech and LeapFrog products. My daughter struggled at first to learn the Explorer, but she quickly became accustomed to it. She struggled with the MobiGo at first, but after a few days, she was able to figure it out. She was zooming around with the iXL in no time (about an hour) and has abandoned our phones and laptops! Yeaaah! Finally, I adore the personalized animated stories that come with each "game" CD. The software incorporates your child's information (name, favorite food, etc. ) into the stories after you give it some information about him or her. My daughter enjoys seeing her name on cars, signs, and other items throughout the story. She also enjoys the fact that bananas (her favorite food) are enjoyed by everyone. This is a fantastic touch, and I wish they used it more frequently. Actually, I wish that every game developer used this. br>br> Your child can either read along with the story, controlling page turning and so on, or have the story read to them in full voice over mode by the iXL. This sounds fantastic and would be a great bedtime story to read with your child while holding them until they fall asleep. br>br> Apart from the high game price, the system's only major flaw is that the batteries only last a few days of moderate use. the fact that their servers are slow (it can take up to 5 minutes for certain things to "update" after you install the CD); as well as the poor decision to leave out a video player. To be honest, this would be fantastic on the iXL. Why shouldn't I be able to watch videos on my old handhelds? It's clear that the hardware is up to the task. br>br> I hope this information aids you in deciding which handheld device your child should have. Vtech and LeapFrog both have good products that, aside from the child-abusing Explorer, are well worth the money, but the iXL's features make it a clear winner (especially for the price). - br>br>- br>br>- br>br>- br Start with a recap or summary. br>br> br> Br> br> br> br> br

- There are no advertisements on iXL. Whether you're playing or not Your child will not be forced to watch a movie that they cannot skip, which effectively tells them to go bother you to buy them more games if you enjoy them.

- The iXL software (also known as "games") is installed on your computer and then transferred to the iXL handheld. There will be no more cartridges that are misplaced!

- The SD card slot is a huge plus, as it allows you to store a ton of MP3s, games, and photos!

- All of the games are small in size, so they can be stored on your PC/Handheld without taking up a lot of room.

- The MP3 player is a huge plus, as it allows you to listen to music while you play!

- It's fantastic in the art studio. Your child will have a lot of fun drawing on your digital family photos!

- The coloring features are decent, but the ability to paint on your photos (at least for my daughter and her friends) takes the cake.

- The story that comes with each game is fantastic, and it can be customized to include your child's name, favorite food, and other details; you can read it along with them or have the iXL read it to you while you relax.

- The touchscreen is extremely responsive. Yes, it's refractory, but so what? It is far superior to the Vtech and Leapfrog competition in terms of functionality and speed!

- In general, the iXL hardware is fast and stable. There hasn't been any noticeable lag in any of the games or software I've tried. There have been no crashes or issues, and the firmware is set to update automatically.

- The iXL is built to last. It can withstand numerous falls down the stairs, as well as a complete immersion in the bathtub (the batteries did not survive). It only needed to be re-wet after drying. Our dog ate it after it had been calibrated and worked for a while. That's what happens when my daughter tries to teach him to read. br>br> br> br> br> br> br> b

- There is no video player available. On a device that claims to be capable of everything, there is no video playback. Fisher, come on! Reduce the price, get with the program, and include a player in one of your many firmware updates. This little gem would be perfect for watching my daughter's favorite videos.

- The battery life is poor, and there is no way to recharge the device. Like other handhelds, it has a rechargeable battery pack. One is allegedly produced by a third party, but it has received some negative feedback. This is how I get around it: I use re-. Chargeable batteries are great, but in this day and age, having a charge pack is a must! It's almost as obvious as a DVD player.

- The iXL has a large footprint. It resembles a block in appearance. I understand that doing so makes it more kid-friendly and allows it to withstand drops, but it also has a number of disadvantages, such as making it difficult to carry in my pocket, so my daughter keeps it in her small purse.

- A lot of the firmware has been updated. I'm not sure why, but every few months there's an "update" that takes about 10 minutes to complete and necessitates touch screen recalibration. Why is it so frequent when it doesn't add or fix anything, in my opinion?

- There is a lot of wasted space on the bottom of the iXL. There are volume, home, and action buttons on it, as well as a speaker. Instead of a D, why not a D-? There's also a number of additional buttons on the pad. It would work well as a handheld similar to the Nintendo DSi, and having more buttons is always a plus. It would also allow game designers to be more creative with their games rather than limiting them to touch screen only.

- The cost of the game is absurd. The game CDs are actually just small apps that you can download for free from the Android market. The extra pictures for the paint program are nice, but there aren't that many of them! I'll admit that the majority of the story books and games are enjoyable, but everything else is a rehash. Why would you charge $30 for a skin of software that's already on the iXL? This highway robbery simply forces the parents to look for better deals on the internet, on Craigslist, or at thrift stores/garage sales. Fisher Price is losing a lot of money because I only bought four brand new games from a retailer (during a sale) out of the 15 that my daughter owns!

- There is a small selection of games to choose from. At the time of this review, only 15 had been released. Fisher- Price should release more games with a wider range of genres. It's not necessary for them to all be based on licensed characters. You have the option of making your own heroes. I'll keep buying games as long as they have some educational value! - br>br>- br>br>- br>br>- br End-of-Session Recap/Summary br>br>If I think of anything new, I'll update this.

Keegan GARDINER

| Aug 24, 2021

I bought this as a Christmas present for my granddaughter. The purchase has exceeded my expectations. Fisher Price makes such high-quality products that they withstand all of life's "cracks and drops. " It's well-made and durable. With my 3-1/2-year-old granddaughter, this product became an instant hit. She was able to use and play with it right away.
Pros: br>* The size is ideal for the hands of small children. br>* Software (once a problem has been identified) (see below) is well-designed for childrenbr>* Children adore it, and it has become the "go-to" book for them. to" favorite. br>Contrary to popular belief, br>* Two of the three additional purchase software titles would not "play" load to our computer(s), preventing them from being downloaded to iXL. I received a message stating that "internet access is required. " Of course, we had wireless internet access, and the first software title downloaded without a hitch. We tried and tried to load the other two titles, but they wouldn't come up. So we contacted customer service, which was excellent, and the issues were quickly resolved. Version 1 and Version 2 were the only ones that wouldn't play. The only title that would load was Version 2, which I had purchased in a retail store in another state. It was easy to load and play. Customer service demanded that I give them the 20-digit number from each software package over the phone. FP sent a replacement piece of software. Version 2 of the project. 0 . They were quick to send them. THEY BOTH PERFORMED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED. br>br>The case for the iXL has been purchased. It's a nice spot to keep it, and it makes it easier to locate. This is frequently used. I would make the same purchase again. In fact, I just bought two more software titles, and I'm confident that if there are any issues, we'll be able to fix them quickly. br>br>It was a good purchase; the kids, as well as their parents and grandparents, enjoy it.

Gianna Higgins

| Jul 11, 2021