Leapfrog to Launch the Fly Pentop Computer - A Totally New Consumer Electronics Platform

Leapfrog to Launch the Fly Pentop Computer - A Totally New Consumer Electronics Platform

Technology-based Educational Products Leader Creates New Market With a Focus on Tween Lifestyle

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), a leading developer of innovative technology-based educational products, today announced a bold new corporate initiative with the launch of an innovative computing platform -- the FLY(TM) pentop computer. This new technology platform is designed to bring computer interactivity to the most prolific and easiest-to-use interface of all -- pen and paper. The FLY pentop computer is the first consumer electronics device to give users real-time audio feedback as they write and draw on special FLY paper, making what you write, really work.

A user of the FLY platform will be able to write on a piece of paper and then interact with the writing directly on the paper. For instance, a FLY pentop computer user can draw a calculator, touch the handwritten digits and functions to perform an operation -- then hear the answer announced from the FLY platform. A user also can write a word in English and hear it translated into Spanish, or draw a piano keyboard and play it.

At the core of the product are a variety of state-of-the-art technologies including optical scanning technology licensed from Anoto, a widely acclaimed industry leader in digital pen technology.

"The introduction of the FLY pentop computer is an important milestone for LeapFrog as we strategically extend our successful learning products line into new markets, new technologies, and to broader audiences," explained LeapFrog President Jerry Perez. "The FLY pentop computer strongly positions us to establish and grow a completely new market segment with broad potential for core FLY products and a tremendous range of application opportunities for both LeapFrog and for companies that will support this new platform."

"The FLY platform heralds the birth of a new industry market -- paper-based computing. With 'intelligent' technology, the FLY pentop computer will assist people of all ages in the mastery of core academic subjects and provide a new genre of entertainment," said Jim Marggraff, the father of the LeapPad(R) learning system, the visionary behind the FLY pentop computer and LeapFrog's Executive Vice President of Worldwide Content.

Cool Tween Applications

With the FLY pentop computer, LeapFrog applies its deep roots in technology-based learning products to a range of innovative applications created for tweens to learn, communicate, and game. These paper/software applications make it cool, convenient and fun for tweens to get homework help in math or spelling, translate words into other languages, play baseball with interactive collectible playing cards, write in their journals, interactively master key concepts from school textbooks, compose music, and much more.

"We've created an intuitive user interface that provides instant navigation, from a blank piece of paper to a user's desired application. Our initial set of tween learning tools and games are designed to alleviate critical educational pain points for tweens, and to provide easy access to information and entertainment in synch with a tweens' lifestyle," added Marggraff.

Development of the FLY pentop computer was enhanced by a group of 50 tweens, aged 8 to 13, known as the Quantum X Team. These "kid developers" worked on a regular basis over the past year with LeapFrog product designers to provide input on the FLY platform and its applications.

Product Information and Availability

The FLY pentop computer will be available in Fall 2005 in the consumer electronics section of select retailers nationwide. The suggested retail price for the FLY pentop computer is expected to be approximately $99 and the suggested retail prices for applications are expected to range from $7.99 - $29.99. Final suggested pricing will be announced prior to shipping.

About LeapFrog

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF) is a leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative, technology-based learning products and related proprietary content, dedicated to making learning effective and engaging for all ages, at home and in schools, around the world. The company was founded in 1995 and is based in Emeryville, California. LeapFrog has developed a family of learning platforms that come to life with more than 100 interactive software titles, covering important subjects such as phonics, reading, writing, math, music, geography, social studies, spelling, vocabulary and science. In addition, the company has created more than 35 stand-alone educational products for children from birth to 16 years.

LeapFrog's award-winning U.S. consumer products are available in six languages at major retailers in more than 25 countries around the world. The LeapFrog SchoolHouse-curriculum programs are currently in classrooms across the U.S. with over 200 interactive books and over 450 skill cards representing more than 6,000 pages of educational content. LeapFrog SchoolHouse(TM) products have won numerous awards from the education industry, including the Golden Lamp Award and Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers, the Award of Excellence from Technology & Learning magazine and the Teacher's Choice Award from Learning magazine.

NOTE: LEAPFROG, LEAPPAD and FLY are trademarks or registered trademarks of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Contact:
Jaeme Sines Shannon Eis
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Kaplow Communications
510-596-3497 212-221-1713
jsines@leapfrog.comshannone@kaplowpr.com


Source: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

CONTACT: Jaeme Sines of LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., +1-510-596-3497, or
jsines@leapfrog.com; or Shannon Eis of Kaplow Communications, +1-212-221-1713,
or shannone@kaplowpr.com

Web site: http://www.leapfrog.com/


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