“Post Tech: Apple changes purchases policy to protect kids on iPad, iPhone games” plus 1 more |
| Post Tech: Apple changes purchases policy to protect kids on iPad, iPhone games Posted: 10 Mar 2011 04:27 PM PST Apple said Thursday that it changed its policy for how purchases can be made within applications on the iPhone and iPad, an attempt to protect users, particularly children, from accidentally racking up iTunes charges. The Cupertino company's move affects users of its most recent operating system and comes amid growing concern by federal and state enforcement agencies that consumers, including children, were not adequately informed or aware that they were incurring charges on iTunes accounts because of a 15-minute period that allowed for purchases without a password. Apple said its new device software, iOS 4.3, made available Wednesday, will come with a feature that requires a password when purchases are made within an application after it is downloaded. Parents had complained to the The Post that in the 15-minute period after an app was downloaded, children were buying sometimes hundreds of dollars of purchases on games such as Smurfs' Village and Tap Zoo ¿ popular iTunes games that are also among the highest-grossing programs for in-app purchases. "We are proud to have industry-leading parental controls with iOS," said Trudy Muller, a spokeswoman for Apple. She said users have always been able to use parental control setting and restrictions of in-app purchases to protect their iTunes accounts from accidental charges. "With iOS 4.3, in addition to a password being required to purchase an app on the App Store, a reentry of your password is now required when making an in-app purchase." The Washington State Attorney General's office had sent a letter to Apple last December after receiving complaints from consumers. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz told lawmakers he would review the practice. Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass) and other have called the practice deceitful marketing, and public interest groups question why $99 barrels for "snowflakes" and "Smurfberries" are in a children-focused game, when children may not understand that they are racking up real charges. "This is a victory for consumers," said Paula Selis, senior counsel for State Attorney General Rob McKenna. "Our attitude about enforcement is that we are most effective with positive change without litigating, and talk an issue through with a company to affect change." After charges are made through a password-protected prompt, Apple allows for users to conduct recurring charges within 15 minutes without having to reenter their password. The changes made this week by Apple protect users who were seeing recurring charges made after the download of an application. The idea is that if a password is submitted to in-app purchases, the user is aware of the iTunes charges being made. Some users like the ability to quickly make multiple charges without the inconvenience of re-entering a password. But some consumer protection experts say Apple's move may not extinguish concerns by regulators and lawmakers. Linda Goldstein, chair of the advertising and marketing division at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips law firm, said the in-app purchases cut across many consumer protection issues: marketing to children and recurring charges to a "non-traditional billing device." Mobile phones, she said, have "essentially become the equivalent of credit cards in the hands of children." "When that happens and you have on top of that programs that inherently involved recurring charges, it's a recipe for for high FTC scrutiny," Goldstein said. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Posted: 10 Mar 2011 11:23 PM PST "I'm bored!" You can count on hearing those dreaded words if you're sticking close to home over March Break or going on a road trip or long plane ride. Boredom busters to the rescue! Pack up some back-seat survival gear and beat off boredom with the latest in video games and wickedly entertaining websites: Build brains with great animation software. Create cartoons with sound in mere minutes with Flip Boom Classics. Perfect for ages 6-12, kids bring cartoons to life by simply drawing and colouring a series of pictures, dragging and dropping sounds, and recording their own voice over the animation. Just press play and the characters start moving. Projects can be shared with friends on YouTube or via iPod. For ages 13 and up, check out Flip Boom All Star. Import digital pictures, draw using fun tools and drop in ready-to-animate drawings. Import MP3 files for sound and upload animation to Facebook, YouTube or iPods. Check out www.toonboom.com/kids. March 6 mayhem! Nintendo DS launches Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Players get to catch, train and battle more than 150 never-before-seen Pokémon in a whole new region in hopes of becoming the Pokemon League Champion. To do that, players fight other powerful trainers and work to expose the plans of the puzzling Team Plasma. The new Global Link feature lets players enjoy the action even while away from their DS. The black version uses a metropolitan area called Black City, while the lush White Forest is featured in the Pokémon White Version; up to five players in multiplayer modes, $34.99. Check out www.nintendo.com/ds. Burn off the energy with Wii's Mario Sports Mix - featuring four fast-paced sports to entertain Mario fans with athletics and imagination. From volleyball, basketball, hockey and dodgeball, the action heats up in the Mushroom Kingdom with added challenges and twists like coins and special items for bonus points. Each character has a powerful special move - things get tricky when fields slide around on the DK Dock volleyball court. The basketball courts offers extreme point swings thanks to bonus circles; great for all ages, one to 4 players, $49.99. Check out mariosportsmix.nintendo.com. Little Big Planet 2 gets rave reviews as a fantastic create-your-own video game marvel. Sackboy provides great magic and variety as players make their own advanced content in this whimsical adventure. The fun storyline lets players create endless activities, including racing games, mini games, action/adventure games and even multiplayer shooters; PlayStation 3, ages 6+, $59.99. Check out littlebigplanet.com. The epic journey continues with Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation. Nintendo DS fans will enjoy the thrills and spills of this classic-role playing adventure. Be a hero and recruit monsters to lend a hand as you explore multiple worlds in a bizarre alternate universe and face enemy monsters. Plus, take a stand against the villainous Murdaw, the face of terror and evil. Levelling up opens up new spells and skills. Special features include enhanced graphics and touch-screen mini-games; rated T for Teen, $34.99. Coming to a screen near you - the Nintendo 3DS. A 3D hand-held gaming system that doesn't require special glasses. Not available until March 27, the dual screen system comes in Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue and the 3D effect can be modified by the player or even turned off completely. It comes pre-loaded with games, applications and features, including three cameras. Take photos in 3D and then the fun begins with the built-in game, the Face Raiders. There's a sound manipulation tool or enjoy listening to your MP3 music files; $249.99. Check out nintendo.com/3ds. Keep kids safe and creative online with these top fun websites picked by www.familyfun.com: The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World (ages 7 and up): Avatars play games and delve into history; www.wiglingtonandwenks.com Funbrain (ages 6 and up): Problem solving games build math and reading skills; www.funbrain.com Kideos (ages 3 and up): Prescreened videos that entertain; www.kideos.com NGAkids Art Zone (ages 7 and up): Fashion online masterpieces with cool tools and interactive activities; www.nga.gov/kids/zone The Toymaker (ages 5 and up): Create whimsical paper toys and miniatures; www.thetoymaker.com iTwixie (ages 8 and up): Express yourself on tween girl social networking site; www.iTwixie.com Exploratorium (ages 8 and up): Interactive online exhibits entertain and educate; www.exploratorium.edu/explore Shidonni (ages 3 and up): Sketch a creature and bring it to life - add habitat, food and sounds; www.shidonni.com Activity TV (ages 6 and up): Learn how to juggle, make magic and even cartoon on this easy-to-follow activity site; www.activitytv.com Fizzy's Lunch Lab (ages 4 and up): Good nutrition is fun through games, recipes and even dance-along clips; www.pbskids.org/lunchlab Starfall (ages 3 to 7): Learn to read with phonics; www.starfall.com National Geographic Kids (ages 5 and up): Fabulous photos, games and activities that educate and inspire; kids.nationalgeographic.com PBS KIDS Island (ages 3 to 6): Learn to read with carnival-themed games and activities; pbskids.org/island World of Cars Online (ages 4 and up): Design a four-wheeled vehicle, then race it against others - based on popular Disney/Pixar movie Car; www.worldofcars.com Keep kids busy with these fun activity books: Klutz Safety Pin Bracelets, $21.99, ages 8 and up: Pin-bling is the new thing! Spend your break making unexpectedly elegant jewelry. Safety Pin Bracelets show how anyone can craft an entire collection of brilliantly sparkling jewelry out of garden-variety safety pins. Book includes 12 unique bracelet designs, simple step-by-step instructions, hundreds of safety pins, a thousand glass beads and stretch silver cord. Klutz Thumb Wars, $14.99, ages 8 and up: Bring on the sibling rivalry. Everything you need for a thumb-thumping throw-down is in this kit: an ultimate guide that covers everything from classic challenges, training exercises, fake outs, trash talk and never-before-played games. Comes with the sensational Sleeve of Doom - the ultimate instrument of combat, ensuring no one gets the upper hand. Klutz Me versus You, $12.99; ages 8 and up: Add some competition to the backseat. Two little books, one epic competition! Just pick an activity, flip to the page and bam - bring it on! Enjoy like travel bingo, car window scavenger hunts, speed mazes, jumbles and more. A throwback to a time before ear buds and video screens. Klutz - The Fabulous Book of Paper Dolls, $19.99, ages 4 and up: A classic pastime updated for a new generation. These paper people wear their clothes with the help of reusable, press-on, peel-off adhesive dots - no tabs. And no scissors, either - the dolls, clothes and accessories are perforated, ready to pop right out and play. Klutz Kids Cooking, $19.99, ages 6 and up: If you're hanging around the house, teach kids to cook. Great kid-friendly recipes with plenty of safe ways for kids to contribute. Scoop up the fun - comes with a child's first set of measuring spoons. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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