NickWatch: A child's smartwatch for active, creative, and safe play
Nickelodeon NickWatch 4G Kids Smartwatch. Pictures: Nickelodeon.
The NickWatch is a smartwatch designed by Watchinu in collaboration with Paramount and Nickelodeon for children between six and ten. What makes it unique is the list of child-friendly characters to help motivate your child to stay active, safe, and have fun while doing it. The watch features cartoon characters SpongeBob SquarePants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that help them be creative, learn and stay connected to their parents without needing a mobile phone.
The NickWatch looks and feels robust but is not especially small for a young child. It measures 14mm thick, x 42mm tall, and 48mm wide but only weighs 31 grams without the strap – 45 grams including the strap. The watch has two straps, a nice bonus, and the hook and loop clasps are designed to fit any small wrist size. One is a simple grey design, while the second one is Nickelodeon orange and adorned with characters.
The watch has a single orange button, a front-facing camera and four holes on the side for the speaker.
Around the back are four pogo pins that magnetically connect to the included proprietary puck required to charge the watch.
The circular 1.3-inch OLED display is bright and vibrant with touch input support. The watch also includes an accelerometer and gyro sensors to sense movement to count steps and gestures for playing games.
The Watch is also IP68 water and dust-resistant, so there are no worries if it gets wet.
The NickWatch is about having fun in a safe environment with no general internet access, social media apps or unwanted calls. The watch features communication options thanks to the built-in SIM and WiFi. Parents can take the reins by pairing and controlling the watch via smartphones (compatible with iPhone and Android). Set privacy settings, manage screen time limits, and apply other restrictions from your device, including contact management.
Parents can feel secure using the NickWatch app. It allows for two-way calls and messages, keeping you in touch with your child as needed. It gives the user account on the watch complete control. This includes restricting the contact list and muting the smartphone during class or certain periods of the day.
You can also track the watch via the built-in GPS and SIM. You can configure the tracking to either real-time mode when you need to pinpoint your child's precise location or view their whereabouts during your checks.
NickWatch ensures safety, so conversations are limited to parental-verified contacts. This means only the contacts you enable in the app are possible on the watch.
There's also an SOS button that, when pressed and held, sends an emergency message to Family Ring members via The NickWatch App, enhancing security and peace of mind.
The NickWatch includes a fun activity element. It diligently tracks daily steps and showcases progress over time. Achieving new milestones unlocks cool display designs, adding an element of fun to physical activity.
Children can personalise their watches with wallpapers, ringtones, and message sounds, making them uniquely theirs. The front-facing 2MP camera offers 'funny face' filters for photo editing, with pictures saved directly to a parent's cloud for easy monitoring. The camera quality isn’t great, especially in low light, but it positively expands the features.
Thanks to the 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, the watch feels snappy. The 460mAh battery should last up to 48 hours in standby mode and up to 24 hours for normal usage, but actual times will vary depending on screen brightness, location tracking and other settings. Essentially, you should expect to charge the watch every day.
The Play feature offers motion-based games and activities to captivate and engage children. From interactive challenges to games that tickle the funny bone, the NickWatch keeps boredom at bay.
The NickWatch has a range of games and activities:
Karate!: Slice through surprising objects, watching them burst into bubbles and confetti as you unleash your inner martial artist.
Ask & Shake: Engage with Lucy Loud from The Loud House, asking questions and shaking the watch to unveil your fortune from the crystal ball.
Balance: Join SpongeBob in a balancing act, stacking random objects on his head. Test your skill and see how long you can maintain equilibrium.
Shake!: Shake your arm to send a playful jellyfish crawling onto the watch face flying.
Patrick Says: Challenge your memory and reflexes with tasks issued by the ever-unpredictable Patrick from SpongeBob SquarePants.
Poses: Add a physical twist to the fun by mimicking the zany poses displayed within a specific timeframe.
Mix it!: Stir up some laughter by rotating your arms to create bizarre and hilarious combinations when two random objects appear on the screen.
Ninja School: Embark on an adventure to become a true ninja with training from Master Splinter.
The Create feature offers a variety of mini-applications, including sound effects, musical instruments, funny voices, dance, and the unique "story words" prompt. Encourage imagination by challenging users to craft imaginative stories using randomly generated words.
Priced at €189.99, the NickWatch includes a 12-month subscription. The built-in SIM and subscription provide unlimited communication and data in Ireland and free-roaming abroad in over 120 countries. To continue using the watch beyond the first year, a monthly fee of €10.95 (pay as you go) is required. Alternatively, you can opt for upfront payments, such as €59.95 for six months, €99.95 for a year, or €159.95 for a two-year subscription, all manageable through the NickWatch app.
The NickWatch offers an engaging and secure smartwatch experience for children. It combines fun, safety, and connectivity, making it a great choice for active play and learning. While the cost of ownership includes subscription fees, the peace of mind it offers to parents and the joy it brings to children make it a worthwhile investment.
Available from Soundstore, DID, Euronics, Expert, Eir online and Currys
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