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| There are some great family fun apps to teach and engage the kids over the summer months
August 07, 2014 |
The summer holidays are here and ways of keeping the kids amused will be at the top of parents ‘to do’ list. So here’s a handy round-up from Microsoft on the latest Windows laptops, convertibles and apps – which will help keep even the most energetic of children amused for the summer holidays PLUS some ideas on apps and devices for when it’s back to school time…
Great family fun apps to teach and engage the kids over the summer months:
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| Kids Song Machine – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
A musical app that’s both stimulating and educational – it’s guaranteed to keep children entertained for hours. Simply turn the wheel and a favourite nursery rhyme plays for your little one (or ones) to join in. |
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| DK Print your own T. Rex – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
All kids love dinosaurs – and this app showcases the excavation site of a T. Rex, so junior excavators can build their own dinosaur by piecing together the bones they’ve found. Upon completion it unlocks a detailed 3D model of the skeleton, which can then be sent to a 3D printer – either at home or at a print shop – so they have their very own fully-fleshed T. Rex. |
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| Movie Moments – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
Turn any video over the summer holiday into a memorable moment that you’ll love to share. With your very own short film you can edit, highlight your favourite moments with fun, colourful captions and add music that matches the moment. |
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| Music Maker Jam – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
Make your own amazing music tracks with a swipe of your finger. Simply start the app, choose three free music styles and start combining sounds to make your own songs. |
Great apps for when it’s time to start thinking about back to school:
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| Biff, Chip and Kipper – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
Download this Biff, Chip and Kipper app to build and buy your collection of interactive books – to help your child develop in their reading. Read along or listen as each page is read out loud. |
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| First Puzzles Lite – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
Your little ones can enjoy over 30 cartoon puzzles plus three different difficulty levels per puzzle. The app aims to improve visual perception and develop fine motor skills. |
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| I’m ready for Spelling – £1.99 on Windows
August 07, 2014
A great learning game for children to learn how to spell through a series of interactive levels. |
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| My Study Life – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
A planner for students, teachers and lecturers designed to make study life easier by storing classes, homework, revision and exams in the cloud – making them available anywhere. |
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| CoolStreet – FREE on Windows
August 07, 2014
A cloud-based micro-economic simulation game in which players own competing pizza shops on Cool Street – where pizza shop owners contend for business against each other… |
And when it’s finally time to head back into the classroom, it’s important to ensure youngsters have a device that’s powerful, personal and affordable. With Windows devices, multiple-user accounts mean each device can be personal for every family member – and parental controls ensure you can leave children to explore their device, learn and keep themselves entertained with complete confidence. Here are some of our favourites for the new school year:
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| Acer Aspire E/11 Roxy – £299
August 07, 2014
The Aspire E 11 comes with a full-sized keyboard, all the right ports, and the full suite of Windows 8.1 productivity programmes, so children can get their work done, wherever they are. |
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| Asus T100 – £299
August 07, 2014
The Asus Transformer Book T100 features 2 in 1 functionality, Microsoft Office software and an 11 hour battery life |
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| HP Pavilion X360 Convertible – £349
August 07, 2014
Easily convert from notebook to stand to tent to tablet mode – for all your child’s productivity and entertainment needs with this amazingly value-packed convertible PC, featuring a 360° hinge. |
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| HP Pavilion 15 Touchsmart – £399-£499
August 07, 2014
Now the true value of touch is all in your hands. The compact, powerful HP Pavilion TouchSmart 11 Notebook gives you everything you child need to supercharge your day – at home, at school, virtually anywhere. |
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| Lenovo Yoga 2 13 – £699
August 07, 2014
Yoga 2 brings affordable multimode computing into reach. The budget-friendly, family-friendly Yoga 2’s 10-point multi-touch display flips back 360 degrees to offer four different usage modes — Laptop, Tablet, Stand, and Tent. |
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| Surface 2 – £359
August 07, 2014
A great value touch screen device, PC when you need it, tablet when you want it. At just 670g, and pre-loaded with Office 2013 RT (now with Outlook), Surface 2 lets you carry less while you do more. Light in your hands, but loaded with improved sound and picture, a faster processor, and extra offers. |
Tags: Microsoft Hardware, Windows 8, Windows Phone Apps
