CBS Radio Event Guide - [ Vol #4 Nov | Dec 07 ]
Safety and fun for kids on computers is what the local Pittsburgh, PA company Kiddix Computing is all about. The company began on its bold mission a few years ago when founder and CEO, Michael Gualtieri, began researching technology that eventually formed into the company's core product.
The Kiddix Platform is a software package that can be installed on a PC and creates a fun and child-appropriate environment, wrapped inside extensive parental controls. The software currently includes seven games ranging from arcade to action to puzzle, thirteen educational packages/games, a suite of applications designed for children (including a word processor, web browser, calendar, email, etc.). It also features a separate administrative account that gives parents access to a variety of control and monitoring tools. The software can be run on new computers with no operating system or on machines that have Windows installed.
“One of our focuses from the start has been ease-of-use for parents,” explains Gualtieri. “Most parental controls and security tools are difficult to configure properly. We wanted to package all the tools a parent would need in hassle-free way, along with a fun environment for children.”
The Kiddix Platform was released earlier this year and can be purchased on Amazon.com or the company's website, and has been reviewed highly by publications such as Wired.com.
“Both parents and kids love our software, and we take every bit of feedback we receive and put in back into the product to make it even better,” said Gualtieri. The company offers new features and security updates are part of the product.
The company has also recently announced a companion product to their platform software. Kiddix World Media is a subscription service that can be installed inside the Kiddix Platform, and brings high-quality content packaged like a magazine, direct to your child's computer desktop once a month. The content is hand picked and packaged by Kiddix Computing, who works with developmental psychologists to ensure the quality of material.
“We expect to continue expanding the Kiddix World Media service as time goes forward,” said Gualtieri. “In the future we want to include additional 3rd party content and make Kiddix a new, educational, and fun experience every time a child logs onto the computer.”
The media service remains free for all Kiddix Platform users, and customers will have a choice in early 2008 to purchase a full year subscription to the service.
Kiddix Computing has also been expanding their efforts to reach more users by partnering with computer resellers. The company has recently started working with ComPreCycle, a Western PA based computer recycling company. ComPreCycle offers a variety of computers at different price points, pre-loaded with Kiddix software.
“We at Kiddix fully support PC hardware recycling. It is great for the environment, and when the machines can also benefit children I'd say it's a win-win situation,” said Gualtieri. “The Kiddix machines ComPreCycle offers are ideal for schools, day-care centers, and home-users who don't want to spend big dollars and can still purchase a great quality PC for their children.”
Kiddix Computing is running a holiday sale for Santa Spectacular attendees and will have a booth showcasing their software for your family to demo.
