Children's multimedia: Then vs. now
22.5.2018
Translation: machine translated
I recently stumbled across the Toniebox, a current and very popular children's multimedia audio system. It reminded me of when I was a little rascal and used to listen to Papa Moll's or Pingu's stories on cassette up and down. So it was time to compare then and now.
Audio plays were a central part of my childhood - no matter what time of day. I could listen to the stories for hours on end and imagine dream worlds in my imagination. Papa Moll and Pingu were particularly popular with me. Every now and then I also listened to a Globi story, but I preferred to look at them in the book volume read.
My music player was a plastic cassette player from Fisher-Price. As usual in that decade, its product name was some arbitrary number in the thousands. I believe it was the 3800 model. Its modern counterpart in this comparison is the Toniebox from Tonies. A digital audio system for children that has Wi-Fi and can play stories using cute characters.
Appearance and design
Cassette player
You can see the 90s on the cassette player from afar. Its red cassette compartment stands out against the white plastic casing. The microphone and volume control are also in the same red colour. Further splashes of colour are the various buttons for operating the cassette player. These buttons are large enough to ensure that even small children have no problems operating them. The only thing that needs to be learnt is how to insert the cassettes. However, parents can help with this at the beginning.
Toniebox
The outer shell of the Toniebox is made of fabric sewn over soft foam padding. The box is available in different colours, so there is a version to suit every taste. The digital audio system looks neat and tidy and, at 600 grams, is light enough to be easily carried by children. Their design has already won several prizes, including the coveted "Red Dot: Best of the Best Award", which is only awarded to pioneering designs.
Operation and functions
Cassette player
The functions of the cassette player are limited to the essentials: Playing cassettes. There is a button for each function. You can start playback, fast-forward and rewind or start a recording using the microphone. This player also has a small wheel on the front with which you can adjust the volume. The cassette player is powered by four C batteries. These are sufficient to listen to the cassettes for weeks - if not months.
Toniebox
You won't find any classic buttons on the Toniebox. The only physical buttons are the two ears on the top, which can be used to adjust the volume. The remaining functions are controlled by touch and movement. If you tap the left side of the box, the audiobook skips forward one chapter. You can go back one chapter by tapping on the right-hand side. You can fast-forward or rewind by tilting the Toniebox. The operation is intuitive and, in my opinion, will be quickly understood by children. Unlike the cassette player, the Toniebox is not powered by batteries but by a rechargeable battery. The manufacturer promises up to seven hours of battery life. After that, the battery is fully recharged in around three hours.
Playable media
Cassette player
You can play all kinds of cassettes, which you can buy at many flea markets, in second-hand shops or online. There are still hundreds of them and they are cheap because almost nobody has any use for them any more. However, the magnetic coils suffer over the years and through constant playback. As a result, their sound quality is not consistent. However, with a cassette adapter, you are able to connect your smartphone or an SD card to this 25-year-old device.
Toniebox
The playback medium here is the so-called "Tonies". These are three to eight centimetre tall figures. They are hand-painted and designed to match the respective story. Thanks to a magnet, they stick to the top of the Toniebox and don't suddenly fall off. Thanks to the integrated NFC chip, the box recognises which Tonie is on it and which audio play it needs to play. Around 100 Tonies are currently available. However, 50 more are planned by the end of this year.
You can find all the Tonies here.
Sound quality
Cassette player
At the time, this speaker was certainly the ultimate for such a cassette player. However, it cannot hold a candle to today's technology in the slightest. The sound is quite harsh and there is no trace of bass anywhere. I have to admit that this didn't bother me as a child and I don't think that today's children will have any problems with it either. What I do find worrying, however, is its enormous volume. This little thing can fill the whole flat with sound. I remember as a child putting my ear right up to the speakers and listening to Pingu's trumpeting at full volume. Not exactly the healthiest thing you can do to a child's ear. Hello tinnitus!
Toniebox
The Toniebox has a full-range loudspeaker with a nominal load capacity of 3 watts and an impedance of 4 ohms. The speaker has a balanced frequency response and clear high-frequency reproduction. The sound therefore appears natural and balanced. The maximum volume can also be adjusted, which is a favour to your child's hearing. You can find out how to make this setting here. The Toniebox also has a headphone connection. This is particularly interesting for parents, as it allows them to bring a little peace and quiet into their day.
Conclusion
Not everything was better in the past. The Toniebox is an extremely successful product that brings children closer to audiobooks and encourages their imagination. The figures that play the respective stories not only look cute, but also give the child something tactile to touch and collect.
One disadvantage of the Toniebox is its closed system. An audio play can only be purchased in the form of a Tonie figure and no other media can be played on the Toniebox. In addition, these figures are proprietary to this system and are not compatible with other playback devices. The cost of such a figure is also not negligible, as they are usually more expensive than the audio play on CD.
My godson uses my old cassette player every day. After 25 years, it still works perfectly. As far as the Toniebox is concerned, I doubt that his son can still play with it. Nevertheless, the Toniebox is an interesting audio system with great features. It introduces children to audio books, stories and fairy tales, works perfectly and looks good.
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Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
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