FLY™ Bundle - Pentop Computer and Charger

Editorial Review

To hear a menu of options, draw an "M" with a circle around it on the special dot-matrix FLYpaper. Tap the drawing with the Fly pen, and wait for the computer to recite menu options, including scheduler, calculator, time, notepad, settings, and games. To select an option, print a check mark to the right of the "M." The computer announces your selection and options.

We felt a bit like the first viewers of television must have felt the first time we drew eight squares and a few circles with the fairly regular looking pen and paper, then started tapping the shapes to play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (hey, we were overwhelmed; it was all we could think of in the moment…), with various percussives backing up the melody. Imagine where this technology can go!

For tweens today who have grown up with LeapFrog and other computer technology, getting the hang of the Fly shouldn't be too tough. Some will simply turn it on (after installing the one AAA battery required) and start messing around, figuring it out on the fly, as it were. Others won't mind wading through the kid-almost-friendly packet of manuals, stickers (tap on the goofy cartoon guy for a loud belch, the clock image for the correct time of day, the "Aaah!" for a scream worthy of Psycho), FLYpaper, and maps (the creator of Fly is a big believer in geography education). After an initially steep slope, the Fly's learning curve levels out quickly. It's mostly the small details that might create snags: backing out of a program already started, figuring out where to write a check mark when you've already written half a dozen of them next to the circled letter, that kind of thing. Pretty easily resolvable issues.

The fly parts: Fly takes standard computer methodology and turns it on its head: instead of a mouse and keypad being the input devices and the screen being the output, writing and paper are the input and the speaker is the output. This is more than just a switcheroo of components. The impact lies more in how kids using the Fly will learn. Reading words and numbers on a monitor is very different from putting pen to paper and hearing responses. It's somehow more interactive. Learning feels more flexible and forgiving.

The whack parts: you have to hold the pen correctly (don't block the camera or hold the pen too horizontally), print neatly and appropriately (capital letters, no connected script), and press firmly enough. The pen itself is somewhat ungainly, as compared to a regular Bic, but hey, there's a whole computer in there, what do you expect? Also, the only paper Fly will respond to is the special dot-matrix "FLYpaper," so you'll be locked into a purchasing cycle.

The entire Fly introductory kit comes with FLY Pentop Computer, earbuds, carrying case, FLY Launch Pad Guide, 17 games, 35 FLYpaper pages, 3 interactive FLY-FX cards, interactive map, 1 silver face plate, and 1 AAA Alkaline Battery. Additional paper, accessories, and interactive learning and game cartridges are sold separately. Winner of the Toy of the Year Award for 2005. --Emilie Coulter

Buyer beware save your money. Don't buy. (tae, 2008-12-26)

I brought the FLY(tm) Pentop Computer for my child (sometime ago) and we had problems (no instructions) so I

contacted leapfrog 186633453273.
.
They told me they don't make the fly pen any more they now have the fly fusion. I was told I could use the

same directions of the fly fusion. I told them I was looking at the leapfrog site as we speak and it says it's not

compatible. The person I spoke to (I won't say there name) kept putting me on hold to talk to someone that's

in charge they sent me to so many sites to get instructions and there is NO INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FLY(tm)

Pentop Computer instead the fly fusion keeps coming up. They said they would e-mail me the instructions.

So what am I suppose to do. I wanted my child to be able to do algebra 1 today. I'M STILL WAITING. In

the past I have brought my family many leapfrog products I think that's about to change.

Fly swatter please (SINCE U ASKED, Northern NJ USA, 2007-12-29)

Initially, this product seemed like a great idea. Got most of the accessories and presented it to my son as a gift. He was excited, took it out of the box and immediately tried to figure it all out. He's a pretty smart kid, but got a little frustrated working through some of the kinks. It ended up on the shelf with other toys and got very little use. In an attempt to renew his interested, I purchased additional accessories, and again it came out for a bit, but was short lived. For some reason, he's not ready to give it up, but I think it continues to disappoint him. Overall, for the price, unless your child has nothing else to do and can give this item alot of time and attention, probably not the best thing out there. Better off and much less expensive to purchase a nice calculator, a dictionary, perhaps some language software, etc.

Great product (Cool Gramma, USA, 2007-04-17)

This is the best thing since sliced bread. Very easy to use. I bought it for my granddaughter and she loves it. She uses it often to help her with her spelling and other work for school. I would highly recommend this product to anyone that has a child in school. It isn't just for work, you can play games and have hours of fun with this thing also. Great gift idea.

Awesome (mj, Japan, 2007-03-23)

The FLY Pentop computer is an awesome product. My daughter, age 7, loves it. She plays with it nonstop. It seems as though she has no idea that she is learning. Be aware, however, that there are few software products (Fly Through...) available to date (March 2007) for the average early elementary school student. If your child is a little advanced and a quick learner, I highly recommend this product. For older children, late elementary through the end of middle school, it is amazing. It is truly a great find. It takes the work out of getting your children to practice skills learned, but not often practiced, at school.

9 year old girl loves it! (Andrea L. Polk, Southern Oregon, 2007-03-18)

I bought this bundle before Christmas at 70% off through Amazon. The price was right, but probably because it seems like the manufacturer isn't really devoted to putting out new software for it.

Despite this, it's a great product! A small camera at the end of the pen is the basis of the visual information that the computer translates. If you cannot manage to hold the pen correctly; keeping it almost straight up and down, it will be a frustrating educational toy...no matter what your age.

The bundle comes with a charger and two proprietary batteries. One battery can be in the charger while you are using the other, so you are never at a loss for power. You also get some Flyware paper and accessories. The speaker on the pen works well, but you can also use the included earphones.

I purchased a Flyware journal too, and it was a hit as well.

Note that this toy can be enjoyed by anyone who can read and write, despite being an educational toy geared towards 4th grade and up (10+).