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A Palo Alto, California-based company called Osmo has announced it recently received $12 million in funding to create the new "Play Movement" app on tablets for kids to better interact and socialize with mobile devices, Venture Beat reported.
Osmo received the funding from a venture capital firm called Accel Partners and made the app available for purchase in Canada and the U.S. on Oct. 16, the source reported. Rich Wong, a partner of Accel, previously invested in mobile gaming giants such as Supercell, which is responsible for Clash of Clans, and Rovio, the makers of Angry Birds.
The Californian company was recently known as Tangible Play, but Osmo received more than $2 million in preorders for the game by mid-September this year, the source stated. The platform is easy to use but very complex in terms of hardware and software.
"We have a really solid product, and now it's time for us to grow," said Pramod Sharma, CEO of Osmo, according to Venture Beat. "We are set to scale the product, and I expect us to grow significantly."
According to Gamasutra, the preorders were priced at $49, but demand for the product still remained high from educational and public buyers.
Additionally, the company collaborated with Apple so the new app would be released in the Apple store. Many educational institutions and schools are already receiving kits for the new application software and a tablet stand that allows teachers and students to visually and physically use the tablet more effectively, the source reported.
Using advance camera technology
Once the device stands in the upright position, the camera works as a identifier for small objects that are put in front of the iPad. According to Venture Beat, Osmo said one of the downloadable apps allows the camera to recognize blue or red colors that pass in front of the screen.
Some of the basic functions give users the ability to "toss out letters" in a hurry to spell whatever image is on the tablet. For example, if there is a picture of a horse on the device, users can quickly move letters to spell H-O-R-S-E, and Osmo will keep a record for the students every time they get the word wrong, the source reported.
"People really liked the idea of using the iPad for education," said Sharma, according to the source. "Apple also really loved it. The word of mouth is very strong."
Creating more engaging interactions
According to Delhi Daily News, the app gives students and educators a more creative, engaging and personal platform to improve educational learning. Also, the app manufacturer said he believes the future of educational devices and learning techniques will be on computer screens, and this is one of many first innovations to make that future a reality.
"Osmo is a natural fit for parents and teachers because it adds a small but powerful layer of technology on top of a platform, the iPad, that children already know and love," said Wong, according to Venture Beat.
As technology grows in educational settings, investing in personal insurance will keep devices protected in school settings where devices can be easily lost or broken.