If you’re looking for a good use for an old, but still functional iPhone or iPod Touch, you’re probably thinking of handing it down to one of your kids. If that’s the case, you can get a little more mileage out of that old gadget, and your kid can get a new friend, thanks to Ubooly.
Ubooly is a furry orange creature whose face is provided by an iPod Touch or an iPhone, and powered by a free app. That app will give Ubooly a face and a personality – the Ubooly will be able to react to certain requests from your child. Children can ask Ubooly to play a game with them, or tell them jokes and stories. There’s a lot more that Ubooly can do, and the developers have committed to creating and uploading new free content every month, so things don’t get stale.
When the app is used outside of the Ubooly plush, kids can use it to play games and customize Ubooly’s room. Coins can be earned by playing those games, which can be spent on new things for Ubooly’s room. Coins are also available as in-app purchases.
It’s looking like Ubooly could be one of the best smart toys to hit the market – the creature will respond to several phrases, and has hundreds of stories and jokes to tell. Kids can even go on adventures with their Ubooly, like cave exploring (so don’t be surprised if you see one of your kids hanging out under the bed or behind the couch). With content updates every month, Ubooly looks like it might just be more than a one-month wonder around the house.
The Ubooly plush is available now for $30, and the app is free. The app is compatible with the iPhone 3GS and up, and the 4th and 5th generation iPod Touch.
