If you picked up Fuhu's nabi XD tablet for tweens, then it's time to grab it and hit the update button. An OTA recently began rolling out that brings some intriguing new features to the device, including an all-new launcher.
The XD Launcher isn't a typical launcher, however – it's more of a complete overhaul to the way the XD works and feels. It actually slightly reminds me of Chameleon Launcher, as it has time- and location-aware options that will display certain homescreens based on specific attributes. For example, if you (or your student) want to see email, weather, and the calendar first thing in the morning, but Facebook, Twitter, and other social widgets at lunch, you can specify certain homescreens to be visible at those times.
Aside from that, the XD is getting a few other new features and fixes:
Additions:
- nabi® XD Launcher: an innovative system of customizable home screens that changes based on your location and time of day. It lets you create multiple home screens to give you what you want, when you want it.
- NOOK for nabi: A safe and curated reading experience for your child with over 5,500 new and classic children’s titles available in nabi Mode, and more than 3 million books, magazines, newspapers and comics for you in Mommy/Daddy Mode™.
- Mini Mogul: Discover a world filled with unique cultures and characters! In Mini Mogul, your child can learn how to farm, craft, cook and build a village you can truly call your own!
- Device setup: New process to align with Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act’s (COPPA) to protect children’s privacy.
- nabi Sync™ WiFi + USB version
Fixes:
- Fixes to Add Apps to prevent crashing when device is horizontal.
- Fixes to editing child’s information or photo in Switch Kids.
- Fixes to display issues in Chore List.
- Fixes to display issues after updating payment information in App Zone.
- Fixes to set Parent Mode as default mode.
It's worth noting that you'll need at least 1.5GB of available storage before pulling the update.
The XD isn't the only one getting in on the update action, either – the nabi 2 is also on the receiving end of a fairly substantial OTA that brings about one of the most requested features: Time Controls.
Time Controls is similar to the Kindle Fire's FreeTime options, which gives parents control over when and how their children use the tablet. Time Controls monitors what the child is doing and lets them know when it's time to move on to something different – this way they're not spending four hours playing Minecraft. Excellent.
Otherwise, it's pretty similar to the XD's update:
Additions:
- nabi Time Controls™: Manage your child’s tablet usage with time limits and time rewards. nabi Time Controls engages your child through an animated character that lets them know when their time is up or that it’s time to move on to other apps.
- NOOK® for nabi: A safe and curated reading experience for your child with over 5,500 new and classic children’s titles available in nabi Mode, and more than 3 million books, magazines, newspapers and comics for you in Mommy/Daddy Mode™.
- Mini Mogul™: Discover a world filled with unique cultures and characters! In Mini Mogul, your child can learn how to farm, craft, cook and build a village you can truly call your own!
- Trial to Wings Learning System™: Try the world’s most advanced tablet-based adaptive learning system developed for skill set mastery and building confidence in reading, writing and math fundamentals for Pre-K and Kindergarten.
- Device setup: New process to align with Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act’s (COPPA) to protect children’s privacy.
Fixes:
- Fixes to nabi Coins™ display issues in App Zone after purchasing nabi Coins.
- Fixes to prevent duplicate kids’ information in App Zone’s account page.
- Fixes to prevent crashing when Parent Mode™ is set as default.
- Various fixes to Wi-Fi and battery issues.
- Various fixes to nabi Cloud™ and nabi Sync™.
You'll need roughly 1GB of free space to the 2's update.
For more info on either update, hit up Fuhu's OTA support page.