by Hannah Hollins
Filip Technologies announced that its debut product, the Filip, is officially the first FCC-certified, full-voice capability wearable cellular device. The Filip is worn on the wrist as a watch; it is a phone and smart locator for kids that keeps them in touch with parents at the push of a button. Children wearing the Filip can make and receive phone calls to and from five parent-approved phone numbers, and they can receive text messages from parents.
The Filip sets itself apart from the wearables trend because this tool is more than a tech accessory-- it is a necessary, useful communication device for modern families. It has only the necessary kid-friendly and adult-approved features, and none of the bells and whistles that make smartphones unsuitable for children. A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Filip Technologies found that 70 percent of parents in the United States feel that it is not appropriate to buy a smartphone for a child under 13. The same Harris Interactive survey found that 33 percent of parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 were likely or very likely to purchase a very small, wearable, child-friendly mobile device that would allow them to call or locate their child in the event of an emergency.
In a CEDN-exclusive interview, I asked Jonathan Peachey, CEO of Filip technologies, about the future of wearables and about 21st century parenting.
CEDN: Do you think that as wearable devices become more common (such as the current-day smartwatch tech boom), the Filip will become more popular with parents and children?
JP: Absolutely. It's for a behavioral reason-- kids take cues from their parents. Wearables will become more popular among adults, and so kids will want to wear them to mimic their parents. The Filip was designed from the perspective of a child from the outset, so it's desirable and kid-friendly. The wearables space is currently in its infancy. While wearable computing and futuristic devices are being discussed with much hype, consumers are skeptical. They wonder if many of these wearable products are something they really need. There is a need for a product that keeps parents and children connected, and the Filip performs that function. Because it's a wearable, kids will lose it less than they would a mobile phone. Filip Technologies is excited for the Filip's success in the wearable space, but is keeping both feet on the ground.
CEDN: How does Filip's FCC certification place it at the forefront of wearable consumer technology?
JP: We're very proud of the FCC certification-- the Filip is the first wearable device with full two-way voice capability. Every consumer device with a radio-transmitting function must undergo a certification process. There are varying degrees of tests, and for those with full mobile capabilities, such as the Filip, the tests are very strict. Three years of engineering effort was spent on the Filip so it could meet those standards-- it was designed to comply with the toughest standards in the industry. This certification is paving the way for the Filip to operate on a national network, and a wireless partner will be announced in the coming weeks.
CEDN: While some people believe that this sort of technology will bring about a generation of helicopter parents and bubble kids, others find this technology to be an advantageous, integrated revolution to how kids will grow up in this new era. Do you have any comments on the future of 21st century parenting?
JP: Personally, I believe there is a natural inclination among parents to be connected to their child, but not too little, and not too much-- balance is necessary. When it comes to mobile devices specifically, parents are concerned about cyberbullying, texting, inappropriate content-- and that's why research shows that parents think their kids shouldn't have smartphones. Instead, parents and kids can balance their connection with the right technology used in the right way. There is no substitute for responsible parenting, but technology like the Filip brings greater freedom to kids and parents. It's interesting to talk to parents with kids in our target group: they are more concerned than ever about their children outside the safety of their home. They are keeping their children indoors, and are even stopping them from attending after-school activities. Their main concerns are not being able to reach their child, or the child not being able to reach the parent. The Filip is enabling kids to be kids again, and parents have the peace of mind that the child can take their parents with them on their adventure.
The Filip will be available for pre-sale in the fall and will ship in time for the 2013 holiday season.
For more information, please visit www.myFilip.com.
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