Apple on Thursday has launched a new Apple TV application called iBooks StoryTime. It brings children’s books to the big screen. Kids can go through the pages of various books on their own, or even switch on Read-Aloud narration. The feature will sync the audio to the on-screen text and change pages for you.
The app is free to download and works on the 4th generation Apple TV devices that have access to tvOS App Store. However, the books are not free. There’s a giveaway at launch so you can test the app and its functions. The available content is a Read-Aloud book titled Dora’s Big Buddy Race Read-Along.
A wide variety of books are available to purchase from the StoryTime app itself, as well as on the iBookstore on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. All compatible content that has been purchased previously will be available in the iBooks StoryTime.
Despite the app’s great functionality for kids, it does not have a lot of supported titles at the moment. The available books include certain classic titles like “The Little Red Hen,” “Goodnight Moon,” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” and more. Several popular characters such as Grover, Sophia the First and Cookie Monster are also present in various titles, among others.
In case you’re wondering if the content is appropriate for the age of your child, then it’s important to know that the app is aimed at preschoolers that have started to learn how to read. The app deviates from the standard reading apps currently available on mobile and tablets by using the Apple TV. It offers a great balance and educational experience to the hours spent by kids in front of the TV for entertainment purposes.
Reading apps can be useful but also inefficient in captivating a child’s attention. The digital medium allows them to easily switch to other, more entertaining apps. This is one reason why physical books for children won’t be replaced anytime soon.
Other companies have also started to thinking about more innovative ways to attract and maintain a child’s attention. Amazon’s Rapids reading app builds on how already kids use messaging apps to chat with their friends and family. As such, it uses an interactive messaging-like interface to tell a story.
Image source: Apple