Back before the advent of smartphones, kids used to go to this thing called “outside.” In this magical place, anything was possible. There were usually other kids out there, too, and together they were only limited by their imaginations. Times have certainly changed. Now, screens dominate children’s attention at the same time, parents can’t possibly imagine their children going off to do something by themselves anymore.
At the end of the day, parents would consider letting their child explore the world by themselves, but buying them a smartphone to keep track is an expensive proposition. This is why the Snowfox, a pendant-like trackerphone designed exclusively for children, is such a cool idea. Since it has a built-in SIM card and GPS, guardians can use a companion iOS/Android app to keep an eye on their little ones, receive push notifications if they leave home or school, and even call them if need be.
The Snowfox itself has a single button for children to request a call from any guardians should the need arise. Snowfox comes ready to work out the box with a monthly, all you can eat voice and data plan available for just $9.90. As useful as it is, it’s a child’s device at the end of the day. This is why it’s durable, splash-proof, lasts a full week on a single charge, and has no screen — less mindless games and more actual playtime.
Each Snowfox is going for $129 and is available in pink or blue. Either color is slated to ship in November 2016 should the product’s Indiegogo campaign raise $50,000 by August 2016.
The Snowfox is a clever, appealingly designed gadget that any parent would love to have for their children. It offers peace of mind at a negligible cost, making a purchase easy to consider. The field for these types of gadgets is crowded, though, with quality offerings like the FiLIP that present pretty much the exact same functionality but with a smartwatch form factor instead. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. It just means more great options for parents who want a little freedom for their children, something the Snowfox delivers.