PALM-SIZED DEVICE LETS KIDS TEXT AND IM THEIR FRIENDS

When it comes to kids on computers, the most frequently used application aside from game playing is communication. Kids will spend hours a day sending instant messages (IM) to each other. On cell phones, texting is proving to be more popular with the small set than making calls.

Typing messages is more than just words. Along with the text comes emoticons which are little faces that help to convey feelings such as smiling, frowning, tongue sticking out, the list is virtually endless. Sending photos and other graphic images to each other further enhances the communication experience. If you're a parent with one or more computers in the home, then you probably know about most of this if you pay any attention to what they are doing on the computer. If that's the case, then you may be interested in a little hand-held device that will let the kids send IMs and text without monopolizing the computer and keeping your costs down to a minimum at the same time.

Billed as the Ultimate Messaging Device, the ZipIt or Z2 from ZipIt Wireless is a tiny hand-held device that lets your kids send IMs to each other for free. The Z2 opens up like a little laptop and sports a full QWERTY back-lit keyboard that's ideal for typing in dark places. The screen is a full color, 2.9 inch LCD screen that can easily display colorful text and fonts, pictures, graphics and more. The rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that lasts for hours of IMing.

The Z2 supports 802.11b and g WiFi protocols and will work on your home's wireless networking with WEP and WPA security. In addition to working on any open Wireless hotspots, Zipit Wireless has arranged for the Z2 to work for free with any of the thousands of McDonald's that offers WiFi service.

Setting up the Z2 is a piece of cake as well. If your kids already have an IM account on AOL/AIM, MSN and Yahoo Messenger, they're already set to go. The Z2 works with all of them and they can chat with up to 99 users at the same time. All they have to do is log onto any of those services using their screen name and password. All of the names on their existing Buddy Lists will automatically transfer and be available to them on the Z2. But unlike these services on a computer, they can ONLY chat with their buddies and can not be contacted by strangers looking to open a new chat with them anonymously. Parents should really like that security feature. Parents can also control when the Z2 is active so that they can, for example, set a night time curfew to insure their kids aren't sending IMs in the wee hours.

Texting protocols work with the SMS texting platform and works with over 20 major cell carriers so they can send and receive text messages to just about anyone with a cell phone.

The Z2 sports a MiniSD card slot for storing photos they take with a digital camera or images transferred from their computers. The card can also be used to store and transfer mp3 files. That's because the Z2 is also an mp3 player. The can also choose to stream music directly from the Internet. Just plug in any stereo headphones or ear buds and listen. So now the kids can chat, listen to music and share photos from virtually anywhere with a WiFi connection.

There are no IM fees whatsoever. Texting fees apply. The first 10 text messages are free and there is an optional 3000 messages for $4.99 per month. The Z2 sells for $149.99. If your kids are into IMing and texting but you don't want them on the computer all the time, or burning up minutes on an expensive cell phone, then the Z2 just may prove to be the best and most economical way for them to communicate with each other.

www.zipitwireless.com

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