Kurio's Smartwatch For Kids Uses Mom's Phone

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Kurio unveiled a new smartwatch for kids. It's an Android-based wearable that can place calls through connected phones over Bluetooth.

NEW YORK — At Toy Fair 2016, Kurio unveiled a Bluetooth smartwatch for kids that encourages children to move, while giving them a bundle of games and a direct line of communication with Mom and Dad's smartwatches. The Kurio Watch ($60, available this fall) is for kids ages 6 to 12, and can communicate with any other Android device.

The Kurio Watch talks to Mom & Dad's Smartwatches. Image: Henry T. Casey

The Kurio Watch talks to Mom & Dad's Smartwatches. Image: Henry T. Casey

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The Messaging app allows kids to communicate with emoji, text messages and drawings, as well as photos and voice recordings. The watch features a built-in microphone and camera. The pre-production Kurio Watches we saw were not functional, but the company displayed watch faces and photos taken by the wearable on a Samsung Gear 2. The photos looked like what we'd expect from the wearable's 1-inch square display, showing a bit of noise.

If parents want to put their kids on the line, they can turn their child's watch into a hands-free Bluetooth headset. Parents can also set up five phone numbers that their kids can call through their Kurio Watch, which would then place the call through their parent's device. There's also a handful of In Case of Emergency features, so kids can have their allergies, blood type and emergency contact information listed in their Kurio Watch. 

The Kurio Watch as seen from below. Image: Henry T. Casey

The Kurio Watch as seen from below. Image: Henry T. Casey

When I asked a Kurio representative about the risks inherent in collecting this amount of personal data, I was told this information is safe as it is only stored locally and not in the cloud. Kurio reps told me the company was also recently queried by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), and that the company's answers on the topic of security were sufficient to Sen. Nelson.

Like all Android Wear devices, the Kurio Watch comes with standard apps such as calculator, calendar and a sedentary reminder. The watch knows when you've been lazy thanks to its accelerometer, and Kurio plans to load the device with 10 mini-game style apps that encourage activity. One app would promote cardio exercise while another one could monitor a child's activity while he or she plays on a scooter, recording speeds reached and the duration of activity. A representative from Kurio also suggested that the app would be able to record video while the child is on the scooter, as if the watch were a mini, low-res GoPro.

One of the watch faces that will be available on the Kurio Watch. Image: Henry T. Casey

One of the watch faces that will be available on the Kurio Watch. Image: Henry T. Casey

The watch may have other mini games that take advantage of the accelerometer, such as a version of Centipede where you move your insect around by tilting your wrist. Another game would have kids tilting and turning their wrists to move a small ball around a maze on screen, similar to classic plastic disc toys.

The Kurio Watch has a power/wake button, 128MB of internal memory and a microSD memory slot that can support cards with up to 64GB of memory. The wearable charges via micro USB 2.0, and a full charge should last 2 days.

Henry T. Casey
Henry T. Casey

Henry was a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

1 Comment Comment from the forums
  • Emma-taylor
    wow this is great.really awesome think and good synchronization for smart watch montioring kids.
    Reply