“Grandad, do you want to see an astronaut floating in our kitchen?” This was how Number One greeted my dad when he arrived to visit us the other day.
It may sound a little bit crazy, but it was a valid question. We were asked recently to review the Octaland 4D+ flashcards and were sent a couple of sample packs to test out. A astronaut floating in our kitchen was one the the amazing things we discovered.
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| Image Credit: Octagon Studios |
When the Octaland 4D+ flashcards arrived, they looked like regular alphabet flashcards but I was highly excited about showing them to Number Two. He’s alphabet-mad at the moment. You see these are no ordinary flashcards. They come to life once scanned.
Now, when I first read that the pictures on the cards come alive, I was seriously sceptical. But then again, I had never encountered augmented reality before and it is augemented reality that gives these cards their magic.
On the back of the packs there are instructions on downloading the relevant apps from the App Store or Google Play. You need the apps to use the cards to their full potential.
Unfortunately for me, I have a Windows laptop and a Windows phone and the apps are not compatible with those.
As soon as the Bavarian set foot through the door that evening, his Android phone was commandeered, the apps were downloaded and the fun began.
For the next half hour there was a steady stream of “Mammy, look!” , “It is moving!”, “He’s floating in the air!” and “Did you see the horse jump the fence?” from Number One and Two, while The Bavarian and I marvelled at the animation.
The effects are mind-blowing. When viewed through the phone, the characters appear to be standing right on top of the flashcard that is lying on the kitchen table.
The animals make noises, chew, look around or walk. The characters in the Occupation series go about their business, the vet seeing to a sick dog, the orthodontist fitting a brace on a boy, the builder building a wall and the firefighter spraying a fire extinguisher.
Whether you are looking for a stocking filler, a fun little gift or something educational to go with a child’s tablet, I can recommend these Octagon Studio products.
We took our two sets with us when we went away this weekend and they were handy to have as a lightweight, portable form of entertainment. Even without using the app, the cards can to used for reading practice or as regular letter flashcards. Whether we were in our hotel room, a cafe or the car, the cards could be taken from my handbag and immediately the children were kept busy.
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| Image Credit: Octagon Studios |
COMMENT AND WIN!
If you fancy being in with a chance to win a set for yourself, leave a comment on this post. We’ll pick a winner at random at 9pm GMT on the 15th December.
The giveaway is open to all residents of the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
The giveaway is open to all residents of the Republic of Ireland and the UK.
Good luck!
[Disclaimer: I was provided with the two sets of Octagon Studios flashcards free of charge in return for an honest review of the product. All opinions are my own.]
Wow my kids would absolutely love this!Looks like great fun x #ftmob
It is. I even love it myself 🙂
An excellent greeting! & these do sound really good – may look into them! #FTMOB
These look amazing! So fun! Can imagine my two would enjoy them. Great greeting for Grandad too! #ftmob
Very very cool!
They are fairly cool, I must say. My kids don't have their own tablets or phones yet, but they are very happy to have a go of the apps using my husband's phone.
They are really impressive Martyn. I bet your boys would enjoy them.
Yes, indeed H. Lightweight, portable, unbreakable, educational and all round cool.
They are so cool! We were sent some to review as well & my kids were blown away by them as well. Great review Fionnuala! #TwinklyTuesday x
Aren't they brilliant? I wasn't expecting them to be as good as they really were. I am amazed by them.
The winner was chosen using https://www.random.org. Comment number three of the five comments is the winner. Congratulations Martyn!
These look brilliant – sorry I wasn't quick enough to enter the competition! It's not every day you get an astronaut floating in your kitchen. Augmented reality is amazing – Jessica had a Disney annual last year with augmented reality pages on inside covers and she was fascinated by it. Thanks for linking up #ftmob 🙂
Thanks for popping by anyway Louise.
Augmented reality is fascinating. I think I was more impressed than the children 😉