Fly pentop computer

How times have changed. Back when I was growing up in the late 70s and 80s, lots of parents thought Scrabble was all the stimulation children needed to excel in school. Nowadays, adults worry that their kids won't do well unless they own a laptop, a cell phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). And soon, perhaps, the Fly pentop computer will be added to that list.

Developed by LeapFrog Enterprises (LF ), a maker of educational toys, the gadget is just what it sounds like: a talking computer hidden within a pen the size of an electric toothbrush. Due to become available at stores like Wal-Mart (WMT ) and Target (TGT ) for $99 in mid-October, the device is aimed at 9- to 14-year-olds. What can they do with the Fly pentop computer? Kids can use it as a calculator, keep a calendar, create and record music, and play complex logic and geography games -- all features I tried and found fun and educational.

This sounds like an excellent educational tool. I'm looking forward to more computer based education.