New V.Smile Pocket delivers educational video gaming at home or on-the-go

Now that the calendar has hit June, schoolchildren across the country have begun their official countdown to summer break, pushing thoughts of academics to the back of their minds. While kids' first priority is play, educational stimulation is a concern amongst their parents. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by StrategyOne on behalf of VTech(R) Electronics North America, most parents (97 percent) acknowledge the importance of keeping kids' minds active during the summer break, yet only 17 percent have enrolled their children in an educational camp or activity. To help bridge the summer activity gap, the introduction of V.Smile Pocket(TM) gives parents and kids a fun and educational solution they can both agree on.

"School break is the perfect time for kids to continue exercising their minds, yet it can be a challenge for parents to keep their kids engaged and interested in learning activities" said Julia Fitzgerald, vice president of marketing, VTech Electronics North America. "The V.Smile Pocket allows kids to play the video games they want while reinforcing the learning and educational fundamentals they need."

Summer break and family travel go hand-in-hand, and with travel comes the inevitable 'are we there yet?' factor. With more than 85 percent of families taking a vacation this summer and nearly 65 percent planning on driving to their destination*, getting out of the driveway is just the beginning of the journey.

"Choosing the right DVD's, music and activities, can become an expedition in itself," said The Travel Mom, Emily Kaufman. "The V.Smile Pocket packs kids' favorite activities and characters into a portable video gaming unit that they can use in a car, on a plane or anywhere; while also putting the dreaded 'are we their yet?' question to rest."

The V.Smile Lounge

To officially mark its debut, today VTech will unveil the award-winning V.Smile Pocket at the new V.Smile Lounge at Toys "R" Us Times Square in New York City. Customers who visit the V. Smile Pocket feature shop on Level One will get an all-access pass to experience V.Smile Pocket and meet some of the stars of the V.Smile Smartridge(TM) library in the V.Smile Lounge. The amazing Spider-Man(TM), Care Bear's(TM) kind and friendly Friend Bear(TM) and everyone's favorite crime-solving canine SCOOBY-DOO will be on hand for the festivities to pose for photos throughout the afternoon.

The V.Smile Pocket, recently named to Toys "R" Us' "Best of Summer" list, and the V.Smile TV Learning System, named to Toys "R" Us' "Joy List" this past holiday season, will be available for play in the V.Smile Lounge with a variety of Smartridges from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The V.Smile Pocket feature shop on Level One will be open throughout the month of June, offering parents and children the opportunity to test-drive V.Smile Pocket and learn about the new 2005 Smartridge library.

V.Smile Across America

Now through August 31, 2005, kids and their parents can take a virtual vacation when they play the "V.Smile Across America" sweepstakes quiz. Visitors to http://www.vtechkids.com/ can embark on an interactive scavenger hunt that takes kids on a fun geography lesson and, as an added bonus, kids who complete the "V.Smile Across America" quiz will be entered for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship.

At Home Or On-The-Go

V.Smile Pocket is a handheld educational video game system for children ages 5 and older that offers a high-definition video gaming experience in an easy-to-hold, totally portable system.

In its portable mode, V.Smile Pocket's high-resolution (320x240) LCD screen gives kids a sharp, crystal-clear interface anytime, anywhere. At home, V.Smile Pocket can be connected to a television for video gaming on the big screen. And when it's time to go, kids can easily disconnect the V.Smile Pocket from the TV without interrupting their game or their fun.

With 15 new titles to choose from, the V.Smile Smartridge library has expanded to include new licensed title favorites such as Finding Nemo, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Wiggles, Dora and Cinderella, in addition to the 10 titles released in 2004. Each exchangeable Smartridge immerses children in a complete video game experience all while helping them practice the subjects they're learning in school, including spelling, reading, math and problem solving.

  V.Smile Smartridge Library

   Early Learners --        Junior Thinkers --        Master Minds --
   Ages 3 to 5              Ages 4 to 6               Ages 6 to 8

   2004 Titles              2004 Titles               2004 Titles
   Alphabet Park            Little Red Riding Hood    Learnin' Wheels
   Care Bears               Scooby-Doo                Mickey Mouse
   The Lion King            Spider-Man & Friends
   Winnie the Pooh          The Little Mermaid

   2005 Titles              2005 Titles               2005 Titles
   Barney                   Dora the Explorer         Aladdin
   Bob the Builder          Finding Nemo              Cinderella
   Blue's Clues             Sesame Street             Spider-Man II
   Elmo's World             Toy Story 2               SpongeBob Squarepants
   The Wiggles                                        Batman
   Thomas & Friends

The V.Smile Pocket comes with the Zayzoo: My Alien Classmate Smartridge (ERP $89.99). V.Smile Pocket accessories, including a carrying case (ERP $14.99) which holds the handheld system and two Smartridges, a recharger system ($24.99) and a car adapter ($14.99) will also be available fall 2005. V.Smile Pocket is compatible with standard headphones, which can be purchased separately. The V.Smile TV Learning System, available now at mass retailers (ERP $59.99) includes the Alphabet Park Smartridge. Additional Smartridges retail for $19.99. The 25-title V.Smile Smartridge library is compatible with both the V.Smile TV Learning System and the V.Smile Pocket.

ABOUT VTECH

VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) Category and the award-winning V.Smile TV Learning System, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1976, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products for children from birth to preteen that deliver "smart play" through the combination of entertaining electronic formats and engaging, age-appropriate content that help children learn while having fun.

VTech Electronics North America, LLC is based in Arlington Heights, Ill. VTech Electronics, Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong and is a pioneer in the establishment of China-based manufacturing facilities, selling its products via a strong brand platform supported by a well-established distribution network in North America, Europe and Asia.

*StrategyOne, an independent market research and polling firm, conducted the survey among 249 men and women in May 2005. Margin of error is plus or minus 6.2 percentage points at the 95% level of confidence.

SCOOBY-DOO and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) Hanna-Barbera. (s05)

Care Bears(TM) and related marks (C) 2005 Those Characters From Cleveland, Inc.

Marvel, Spider-Man: TM & (C) 2005 Marvel Characters, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.marvel.com/

   Contact: Allison Hirsch
            312/297-7585 (work) 312/375-6497 (cell)
            allison.hirsch@edelman.com

Source: VTech

CONTACT: Allison Hirsch of Edelman PR Worldwide, +1-312-297-7585, work,
or +1-312-375-6497, cell, allison.hirsch@edelman.com, for VTech

Web Site: http://www.vtechkids.com/
http://www.marvel.com/