Introducing, HappiTaps, an innovation that turns your iPhone or iPod touch into a cuddly interactive toy – with a very snug fit plush case. Infantino has taken a classic teddy toy and added a modern twist that brings your smart phone to life with a little friend that tells jokes, carries on casual conversations, shares fun facts, and displays emotions.

HappiTaps_Bear

Honestly, this little thing is too darn cute! There are awesome toddler games and the bear is constantly moving or talking to keep your attention. My hubby is a techie junkie and he was really impressed by the interaction. It knows when you tickle its face and says “Will you tickle my other ear?”. It plays peek-a-boo, it sings songs, it tells stories!

HappiTaps_Natalie

The app is completely FREE but some activities may require additional in-app purchases like the Nighty Night Light Show as well as additional songs and stories. It’s very easy to use, just click the yellow tabs to show the drop down menu. Under the settings tab, you can “lock in-app purchases” which keeps your toddler from accidentally purchasing additional activities.

The toddler mode is like “auto pilot”. It switches between different games and activities automatically to keep younger children, who can’t direct the play flow, engaged and learning. There is also a manual mode that let’s kids choose between the 7 games and activities.

HappiTaps_dropdownmenu

Now I usually don’t let Haley play with my iPhone. Natalie really doesn’t much either. But Haley really slobbers on it and the speakers usually don’t work right after she’s gotten a hold of it. Which made me a little leery of handing this plush toy/phone hybrid to my teething 8 month old. However, Haley is really entertained by the noises and movement and would rather watch it, than drool all over it

Please note, this toy is recommended for iTots 18+ months. But I let Haley play with mine anyways because I have the 3GS and I’m really hoping to get the new 4S soon so I don’t mind if she tears it up! lol. The toy is NOT waterproof so there is a chance you could get some drool on your phone if you let a baby (under the age of “everything must go to my mouth”) play with it.

Happi_Haley

There is an extra padding piece to help hold your phone in place, which is removable. My husbands iPhone 4 WITH the OtterBox doesn’t fit. You’ll have to remove your OtterBox if you have one. The hard cover of the bears face is designed to lock the home button to ensure kids stay within the app.

Surprisingly this app isn’t a total battery killer. My iPhone does get warm but there are little holes on one end of the bears face with allow air in and sound out.

HappiTaps are the first-of-its-kind toy/app hybrid. A lovable teddy-bear friend that leverages toddlers’ newly found fascination with touchscreen smartphones and the classic comfort of plush, huggable toys that creates a truly interactive, lovable companion.

Check out this short video to see it in action!

Overall I give this product two thumbs up! I haven’t seen anything else on the market like it! The Infantino and Apple teams both foresee this as being one of the big hits this holiday season! Great stocking stuffer!

Buy It

The Beary Happi app is available to download absolutely FREE and the HappiTaps™ Beary Happi plush bear device cover is available online at Step2.com for just $19.99 with Free Shipping!

*Compatible with iPhone® 4S, iPhone® 4, iPhone® 3GS and 3rd & 4th generation iPod® Touch. iPhone and iPod Touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries

Connect

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I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Infantino HappiTaps and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.