We’re intrigued by augmented reality technology, where digital stuff gets projected into the real world, via your smartphone or tablet. Now CBeebies character Tree Fu Tom is trying it out.
He’s the star of a new app called Tree Fu Tom 3D Adventures, which was released for iPhone and iPad this morning by developer Crane Digital Media.
The appeal is simple: “By simply holding your smartphone or tablet above a magazine or book, Tom & Twigs can then be launched into the real world allowing children to walk, fly or leaf board them across the room, land on objects and use Tree Fu Magic in their own environment.”
It’s aimed at 3-5 year-old children – although you may be needed to help them use the app – with an emphasis on creativity as well as playing games. Kids can take photos and record videos of themselves with the virtual Tom and Twigs characters.
Meanwhile, there are mini-games: Nectar Collector, Slimeweed Defence and Aphids Rescue – each with a choice of Easy and Hard modes to suit different ages and abilities.
There’s clearly been some thought put into how the creation features work: videos and photos can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and via email, but only if you (as the parent) unlock it. Meanwhile, the games have high-score tables to see who’s best in the family.
(Based on how competitive our six year-old got when he saw me score full points in the Tree Fu Tom game in the existing BBC CBeebies Playtime app, this feature is going to be quite important in our household!)
Tree Fu Tom 3D Adventures costs £2.99 for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store.
Read about more CBeebies apps for kids on Apps Playground, and check out our 100 Best iPad Apps of 2013 e-book – £1.99 from Apple’s iBooks Store