Latest news with #PinwheelGPT
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinwheel introduces a smartwatch for kids that includes an AI chatbot
As a parent, it can be daunting to hand over a smart device to their tween when a myriad of online dangers exist. Pinwheel, a kid-friendly tech company, is introducing a new solution for parents who want to stay connected with their children without giving them a phone. The Pinwheel Watch is a recently launched smartwatch designed specifically for kids aged 7 to 14, offering a child-safe alternative that prevents access to social media and the internet. It features parental management tools, GPS tracking, a camera, voice-to-text messaging, fun mini-games, and — here's a surprise — an AI chatbot. The smartwatch itself features a sleek black design and a screen that is slightly larger than that of an Apple Watch. It's currently priced at $160, with a $15 monthly subscription. It became available for purchase on last week, and we've been testing it over the past few days. In addition to a more standard set of parental controls, the feature some parents might be wary of is the watch's AI assistant, 'PinwheelGPT.' PinwheelGPT is designed as a safer alternative to typical AI chatbots, enabling kids to ask questions about various topics, including everyday curiosities, social interactions, and homework-related questions, the company claims. However, parents may already be cautious about AI chatbots, as they can produce misinformation. Parents could also argue that the friendly nature of chatbots can lead to unhealthy patterns, where children rely on these digital companions for interaction instead of engaging in face-to-face interactions with family and friends. The company explained to us that safeguards are in place; the AI is trained to recognize topics that may be sensitive or inappropriate for children, opting out of these conversations and encouraging kids to discuss such matters with a trusted adult instead. During our limited testing, we confirmed that PinwheelGPT successfully avoided answering inappropriate or violent questions. Additionally, parents have full visibility into all interactions with the chatbot, including both current and previously deleted chats, so they can step in if any red flags arise. 'We have not received any pushback from parents because it's possible, if they are concerned, to remove the PinwheelGPT from the watch or turn it off via your own controls,' said founder Dane Witbeck, who is a father of four. 'We do not use any personal data provided by any users, minors, or adults, in training AI models,' he noted. Witbeck's company launched its first child-safe phone in 2020 and, four years later, ranked No. 212 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for 2024. Entering the smartwatch market seems like a natural progression, allowing the company to better compete in the approximately $100 billion smart wearable market against major brands like Apple and Fitbit. Pinwheel believes it's strategically positioning itself by focusing specifically on the kids category. It also differentiates itself from other similar devices, such as Fitbit's Ace LTE, which focuses more on tracking location and health metrics. In addition to the AI feature, kids and tweens can make calls and send texts on the watch by using voice commands or a keyboard. There's also a camera for video calls and selfies, along with a voice recorder app. Other apps include an alarm, calendar, calculator, and mini-games, such as a Tetris-like game. The parent-monitoring features are available through the 'Caregiver' app. This allows parents to create a 'Safelist' of contacts that their children are permitted to talk to, as well as reject certain phone numbers from being added to the list. Additionally, a Schedule tab lets parents set up different modes to ensure that kids stay off their devices during specific times, like when they're at school or summer camp. For instance, they can choose to limit contacts to only emergency numbers during the day and switch to 'All mode' later in the day, allowing their kids to access everything freely. If desired, parents have the option to monitor text messages, which could be particularly useful for those with younger children. Here, an AI text summary feature offers parents concise overviews of kids' text message threads. The Pinwheel Watch is available now in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the U.K., with plans to expand into additional markets soon. It will be available on Amazon later this summer, though the company has not provided a specific date. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
03-07-2025
- TechCrunch
Pinwheel introduces a smartwatch for kids that includes an AI chatbot
As a parent, it can be daunting to hand over a smart device to their tween when a myriad of online dangers exist. Pinwheel, a kid-friendly tech company, is introducing a new solution for parents who want to stay connected with their children without giving them a phone. The Pinwheel Watch is a recently launched smartwatch designed specifically for kids aged 7 to 14, offering a child-safe alternative that prevents access to social media and the internet. It features parental management tools, GPS tracking, a camera, voice-to-text messaging, fun mini-games, and — here's a surprise — an AI chatbot. The smartwatch itself features a sleek black design and a screen that is slightly larger than that of an Apple Watch. It's currently priced at $160, with a $15 monthly subscription. It became available for purchase on last week, and we've been testing it over the past few days. In addition to a more standard set of parental controls, the feature some parents might be wary of is the watch's AI assistant, 'PinwheelGPT.' PinwheelGPT is designed as a safer alternative to typical AI chatbots, enabling kids to ask questions about various topics, including everyday curiosities, social interactions, and homework-related questions, the company claims. However, parents may already be cautious about AI chatbots, as they can produce misinformation. Parents could also argue that the friendly nature of chatbots can lead to unhealthy patterns, where children rely on these digital companions for interaction instead of engaging in face-to-face interactions with family and friends. Image Credits:Pinwheel The company explained to us that safeguards are in place; the AI is trained to recognize topics that may be sensitive or inappropriate for children, opting out of these conversations and encouraging kids to discuss such matters with a trusted adult instead. During our limited testing, we confirmed that PinwheelGPT successfully avoided answering inappropriate or violent questions. Techcrunch event Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $450 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW Additionally, parents have full visibility into all interactions with the chatbot, including both current and previously deleted chats, so they can step in if any red flags arise. 'We have not received any pushback from parents because it's possible, if they are concerned, to remove the PinwheelGPT from the watch or turn it off via your own controls,' said founder Dane Witbeck, who is a father of four. 'We do not use any personal data provided by any users, minors, or adults, in training AI models,' he noted. Witbeck's company launched its first child-safe phone in 2020 and, four years later, ranked No. 212 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in America for 2024. Entering the smartwatch market seems like a natural progression, allowing the company to better compete in the approximately $100 billion smart wearable market against major brands like Apple and Fitbit. Pinwheel believes it's strategically positioning itself by focusing specifically on the kids category. It also differentiates itself from other similar devices, such as Fitbit's Ace LTE, which focuses more on tracking location and health metrics. Image Credits:Pinwheel In addition to the AI feature, kids and tweens can make calls and send texts on the watch by using voice commands or a keyboard. There's also a camera for video calls and selfies, along with a voice recorder app. Other apps include an alarm, calendar, calculator, and mini-games, such as a Tetris-like game. The parent monitoring features are available through the 'Caregiver' app. This allows parents to create a 'Safelist' of contacts that their children are permitted to talk to, as well as reject certain phone numbers from being added to the list. Additionally, a Schedule tab lets parents set up different modes to ensure that kids stay off their devices during specific times, like when they're at school or summer camp. For instance, they can choose to limit contacts to only emergency numbers during the day and switch to 'All mode' later in the day, allowing their kids to access everything freely. If desired, parents have the option to monitor text messages, which could be particularly useful for those with younger children. Here, an AI text summary feature offers parents concise overviews of kids' text message threads. The Pinwheel Watch is available now in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the U.K., with plans to expand into additional markets soon. It will be available on Amazon later this summer, though the company has not provided a specific date.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
Your Kids Are Already Using AI. Here's How to Make It Safe (and Useful)
AI can be used as a creative jumpstart for other activities. Parent's should guide kids through using any AI. Even AI for kids can hallucinate, so it's essential to be is here and parents are facing a challenge—how to keep kids busy. And not just busy, but also mentally stimulated to ward off choruses of "I'm so bored." That's where an app like PinwheelGPT can be really handy to understand. PinwheelGPT is a chat-based AI app that's designed specifically for kids between the ages of 7 and 12. It's tailored to provide safe, age-appropriate conversations and has built-in filters that block mature content. Even better, it has parental controls that all you to see everything your child types in as well as the responses that come back. Yes, even deleted chats. You may not know it, but your child is probably already using AI. According to Analytics Insight, about 10 percent of 5- to 8-year-old children are using it, and that number rises to more than half of all teenagers. A 2024 survey by Pew Research found that the number of kids using ChatGPT for homework assistance doubled from 2023, rising to approximately 26 percent, and Common Sense Media found that about 70 percent of teenagers have used generative AI tools to create music, images, and text. So, if your kids already use AI in some form, tapping into a service like PinwheelGPT could be a good way to help them learn to use it better. The best way to introduce AI during the summer months is through guided, creative exploration. Instead of handing over a phone or tablet and hoping for the best, treat AI like a collaborative learning tool. One thing you can do is ask your child what they're curious about, and let them use PinwheelGPT to explore it. Then talk through what they find. Were the answers helpful? Confusing? Surprising? Also, take some time before the fun begins to agree on a few basic guardrails, like not sharing personal information and double-checking facts with trusted sources. Once the preliminaries are out of the way, that's when you can use PinwheelGPT to kick off screen-free fun: Ask the AI for a silly story idea, then have your child write or illustrate it. Dig into a science subject that interests your child and then try a safe experiment together. Ask Pinwheel to tell you about local bugs or birds, and head outside for a scavenger hunt. You can also use this suggestion if you're traveling to learn more about the area you'll be spending time in. Let your child choose a topic and then ask the chatbot to suggest rainy-day games or quiet-time prompts. With the right limits and a little creativity, AI can become a tool for connection, not distraction. It's a great way to keep kids curious, creative, and thinking critically all summer long. Related: The Surprising Ways AI Is Being Used in Schools Right Now Read the original article on Lifewire
