Clip Studio Paint for the iPhone offers “all of the features and functionality of the desktop original.”
Our favorite illustration software arrives for iOS and is almost identical to the desktop version.
Our favorite illustrator/humorist/tech reviewer Brad Colbow is back with what may be his best video yet.
After his M3 Surface Pro 4 let him down due to some stroke anomalies, Brad turned his attention to the new Apple iPad Pro. Without a Pencil available to test, he has instead surveyed the wide array of iOS apps, especially those from Adobe.
I'll let him tell you the rest, but I agree 100% with his observations.
Got my new iPad but it will be a few weeks before I get the pencil and can review it. In the mean time I'm checking out what apps are out there and here are my thoughts on what Adobe is bringing to the table.
PRESS RELEASE
Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus 2
TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on the success of its predecessor, Wacom's new Intuos Creative Stylus 2 comes with a fine solid tip for increased visibility and intricate detail for sketching, drawing and painting on an iPad. A premium on-the-go solution for creative professionals, it now also offers USB charging options, a flared front to support a variety of holding styles and side-switch for ease of use. This combination of quality design and superior features provides the perfect tool for artists and designers to work anytime and anywhere.
Ideal for professionals and dedicated enthusiasts who frequently use iPads in their workflow, the new Intuos Creative Stylus 2 is the essential tool for producing pen and paper-style sketches and concept drawings on an iPad. Offering 2,048 pressure sensitivity levels, the user experience is further enhanced thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 that seamlessly connects the stylus to iPads and Wacom's Cloud services. Available soon, the two new cloud based services offer clipboard functionality (DropZone) that allow for the exchange of files between different devices and a storage service for individual pen, tablet and display settings (ControlRoom).
Like all products in the Intuos range, Intuos Creative Stylus 2 is beautifully designed and made using brushed aluminium and a soft touch silicone grip. Available in black and grey, this design tool also boasts an ergonomic shape that makes it is particularly comfortable to use even after numerous hours. Additionally, artists can save time with the two conveniently located shortcut buttons located on the barrel of the pen. A protective carry case holds the stylus, USB charging cable and replacement nibs and make the stylus the ultimate pocket sized companion for today's on-the-go designer.
Designed for the iPad 3, iPad 4, mini and Air, the Intuos Creative Stylus 2 is compatible with the top five creative apps including Wacom's Bamboo Paper, SketchBook Pro for iPad (by Autodesk), ArtRage (by Ambient Design), ProCreate (by Savage Interactive) and more. While using the stylus with compatible apps, it becomes highly responsive to light strokes while rejecting unintentional touches made whilst resting palms on the iPad's screen. When connecting the stylus to Bamboo Paper, users will have free access to the 'Creative Pack' including all brushes and writing tools as well as all artists type notebooks with various canvases and papers particularly for drawing and painting.
Pricing and Availability
The Intuos Creative Stylus 2 is priced at $79.95 (USD) and will be available in October from the Wacom eStore and select retail locations.
Wacom Bamboo Stylus fineline
TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wacom today announces Bamboo fineline. Crafted with care from high quality materials, fineline is a smart stylus with new "thin tip" technology that makes navigating, writing, sketching and sharing on an iPad feel effortless. Encouraging creative expression and inspiring ideas when working digitally, its features also include pressure sensitivity and palm rejection for increased precision and a more fluid action. With an elegant and premium design, Bamboo Stylus fineline is available in five fresh colors – silver, grey, blue, orange and pink. The pressure sensitivity and solid tip of the stylus make it feel completely natural to use. With its 1024 pressure levels, it reacts to the pressure being applied by the user, resulting in lighter or stronger strokes accordingly. This increased precision makes writing and notetaking on an iPad effortless. In addition, the palm rejection feature instantly knows the difference between a hand or the stylus, meaning a user's hand can comfortably rest on the screen while using the pen. The battery, required to establish Bluetooth connection, lasts approximately 26 hours, but can be easily recharged via USB.
The user experience is further enhanced thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 that seamlessly connects the stylus to iPads and Wacom's Cloud services such as DropZone, which offers clipboard functionality, allowing files to be exchanged between different devices, and ControlRoom, a storage service for individual pen, tablet and display settings. Both services are now being tested thoroughly and will be available soon.
Bamboo Stylus fineline is supported by some leading note taking apps on the market, including Wacom's own Bamboo Paper app, Noteshelf, Notes Plus, INKredible, GoodReader and MyScript. When connected to Bamboo Paper the user is offered free access to the 'fineline Pack' offering an additional pencil and the Writer or Maker type notebooks, perfectly adapted to note taking, ideation and light sketching.
Mike Gay, Head of Wacom Consumer Business, describes Wacom's strategy: "Even in this digital age, people use their hands to express thought and ideas. Writing and sketching are still performed to help free minds and encourage creativity. This explains why we continue to develop hardware, software and infrastructures that empower people to do what they want, but be part of the digital lifestyle."
Availability and pricing
Bamboo Stylus fineline will be showcased on the Wacom booth (hall 12, stand 104) at IFA 2014 in Berlin from 5th to 10th September. From today, it will be available to purchase on the Wacom eStore as well as various retailers across the Americas. Bamboo Stylus fineline is priced at $59.95 (USD).
Bamboo Stylus Solo
Bamboo Stylus Duo
Wacom Bamboo Stylus solo and duo
TOKYO and VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Living in the digital age, computers and all kinds of mobile devices have become such a natural part of daily life, most people do not think about whether to use them, but only how they could be made even more intuitive and comfortable. That is also true for all touchscreen devices, says Mike Gay, Head of Wacom Consumer Business: "There are a lot of navigation functions that feel much easier using a pen instead of your fingers – let alone writing or drawing."
Undisputedly a pen is the most natural tool for human beings to express thoughts and ideas. Based on a 30 year legacy of inventing, developing and manufacturing digital pen devices, Wacom now presents 3rd generation Bamboo Stylus solo (for capacitive devices) and Bamboo Stylus duo as a combination with a traditional ball pen for use on capacitive devices and all sorts of paper. Both products carry a new, carbon coated rubber tip that makes sure of a very smooth and near-natural feel while writing, sketching or navigating directly on the screen. Wacom also introduces some fresh colors: "People can choose from six trendy colours: silver and grey for the traditionalists and shiny blue, bright green, sunny orange and girlish pink for the 'fashionistas.'"
Availability and pricing
The newly introduced third generation Bamboo Stylus solo and Bamboo Stylus duo as well as the Bamboo Stylus fineline and Intuos Creative Stylus 2 will be showcased at IFA. All products can be tested at Wacom´s booth (hall 12, stand 104) for the first time. Available in Wacom´s eStore and various retailers as of today the Bamboo Stylus duo is priced at $29.95 (USD), the Bamboo Stylus solo at $19.95 (USD).
For further information please check out the website: http://www.wacom.com/en/gb/everyday
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Sketching, Precision Drawing and Photography Apps Extend Creative Workflow to iPad; SDK Unlocks Over 30 Years of Adobe Innovation for Mobile App Developers
PRESS RELEASE
June 18, 2014 11:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Adobe (Nasdaq:ADBE) today unveiled a new suite of mobile apps and complementary hardware that connect Adobe Creative Cloud, the company's flagship offering for creatives worldwide, to iPad. A digital pen, Adobe Ink, and a digital ruler, Adobe Slide, bring true creative freedom and functionality to mobile devices. Adobe Sketch and Adobe Line enable the next generation of sketching and precision drawing on iPad, and are both optimized to support the new hardware. A third app, Adobe Photoshop Mix, offers a new Creative Cloud connected mobile workflow for anyone who wants access to powerful creative imaging tools on their mobile device (see separate release). Finally, Lightroom mobile is now available for iPhone in addition to iPad, providing the most efficient way to manage and edit images across desktops, mobile devices and the Web.
“Today we’re introducing cutting-edge drawing tools that can carry the designer's Creative Cloud identity, provide access to favorite color themes, and can even copy and paste across devices. This is just one example of how our SDK will shake up the creative industry.”
Nearly half of creatives use their mobile devices to capture inspiration on-the-go and one in three would like to create more content on tablets, according to The New Creatives Report survey of 1,000 U.S. creatives (issued June 16).
Sketch, Line and Photoshop Mix pioneer new ways to create content on-the-go and connect to assets stored in Creative Cloud. They were created using a new Adobe Creative Software Development Kit (SDK), which will speed the development of third party mobile apps that access cloud-based Adobe technologies, forging frictionless creative workflows between device and desktop. Currently in private beta, the SDK will enable developers to include and edit Photoshop PSD files in their mobile apps, ensure compatibility between mobile apps and desktop tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator, and offer never-before-available image editing capabilities in the cloud.
"Adobe’s new mobile apps, hardware and Creative SDK are perfect for creative professionals but, equally importantly, are designed for anyone with a creative spark,” said Scott Belsky, vice president of product and creative community, Adobe. “Today we’re introducing cutting-edge drawing tools that can carry the designer's Creative Cloud identity, provide access to favorite color themes, and can even copy and paste across devices. This is just one example of how our SDK will shake up the creative industry.”
Adobe Sketch and Line are both “Ink and Slide aware”. They also work without a stylus and feature a highly innovative software version of the ruler (“Touch Slide”) for straight-line drawing without hardware. The apps are also connected to Behance, allowing designers to seamlessly share and get feedback on their work with a community of over 3 million creatives. Products introduced today include:
Mobile Apps
Adobe Sketch, a social sketching iPad app for free-form drawing. Sketch gives designers a connected creative process bringing inspiration, sketching and community together into one place. Create with essential drawing tools: a graphite pencil, an ink pen, two blending markers, (brush tip, chisel tip), and an eraser. Get live feedback from the creative community as you work.
Adobe Line, the world’s first iPad app for precision drawing and drafting. Line recreates the art of drafting, combining organic drawing with beautiful straight lines, French curves and perfect shapes that can be drawn in plan and elevation views or in perspective. Line can be used in conjunction with Slide and reimagines traditional drawing tools like rulers, T-squares and shape templates for the mobile world, as well as giving creatives access to assets, Kuler color themes, and the ability to share work.
Photoshop Mix, the most precise app for compositing and masking on iPad. Photoshop Mix also offers powerful cloud-based imaging technology on iPad for the first time, including Upright, Content Aware Fill, and Camera Shake Reduction. It offers non-destructive photo enhancements, selections, the ability to cut-out and mix images, and the ability to open and save PSD files enabling a continuous workflow with Photoshop CC on the desktop.
Lightroom for iPhone extends recently shipped Lightroom mobile capabilities to the iPhone. It provides the most efficient way to manage and edit images across desktops, mobile devices and the Web. Additionally, the recently announced Adobe Voice, a free animated video app for iPad, has also been updated to work with your Lightroom catalogs.
Creative Cloud for iPad and iPhone, a new app that allows Creative Cloud members to access and manage their files, assets, and more from their mobile device.
Creative Hardware
Adobe Ink, a beautiful three-sided hydro-formed aluminum stylus for iPad running iOS7. It enables controlled, expressive drawing and connects to Creative Cloud, giving users access to their creative assets – favorite drawings, photos, Adobe Kuler color themes and more – all at the tip of the pen. Built using the Adonit Pixelpoint™ technology, the fine-tipped, pressure sensitive pen is lightweight and balanced for a comfortable grip.
Adobe Slide, a category-defining digital ruler (and companion to Ink) for iPad running iOS7. Taking a modern twist on traditional tools used before computer graphics and desktop publishing, Slide enables precision sketching – straight lines, perfect circles, and balanced shapes – on iPad.
New SDK Lays Groundwork for Creative Cloud as a Platform
Adobe’s new Creative SDK is a software library that enables developers to tap into Adobe’s creative technologies to build mobile apps. Examples include, browsing files stored in Creative Cloud and extracting elements from PSD files; Adobe’s “Touch Slide” software for straight-line drawing; and cloud image editing services like Content-Aware Fill and Upright. Adobe Photoshop Mix utilizes these new APIs and offers some of Adobe’s best imaging technology for applying Photoshop looks and compositing images. Adobe Creative SDK is initially targeted at the delivery of iOS applications and is currently being tested by select developers. A beta launch is expected in the coming months.
Adobe also updated Adobe Voice, a free animated video storytelling app for iPad that gives anyone the ability to create and share engaging video stories. Over 50 thousand Adobe Voice videos have been shared since the debut of the app in May and, by leveraging Creative Cloud, Adobe Voice now seamlessly syncs with users’ Lightroom photo collections.
Pricing and Availability
Adobe Sketch, Line and Photoshop Mix are free applications, available in English, French, German and Japanese in the Apple® App Store. Adobe Ink and Slide are available now via Adobe.com for US$199.99. The hardware is currently available in the US and is expected to ship in other regions later this year.
Helpful Links:
Blog post: http://adobe.ly/Empower2014
Learn more about Ink and Slide: https://www.adobe.com/products/ink-and-slide.html
Learn more about Adobe’s pro creative mobile apps: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/catalog/mobile.html
Creative SDK: creativesdk.adobe.com
Adobe Voice: http://getvoice.adobe.com/
Facebook: Facebook.com/AdobeDrawing
Twitter: Twitter.com/AdobeDrawing
Instagram: http://instagram.com/adobecreativecloud
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.
© 2014 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Creative Cloud, Illustrator, Ink, Lightroom, Line, Sketch and Slide are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners
A popular iOS art app made its debut in the Windows Store this weekend.
SketchTime, the brainchild of developer Hansol Huh, is an elegant application that distills the drawing toolset to its barest essentials.
The $1.99 app offers pen and marker brushes in 15 predetermined sizes and a palette consisting of 30 preset colors per pen. And that's it. As evidenced by its popular Flickr group (see link in the press release below), the combination of the two is surprisingly powerful as you can quickly lay down a sketch in "ink" and apply a splash of color with your marker.
Unfortunately, SketchTime does not recognize pen pressure at this time, although the developer told me he plans to add the capability in a future update. The app also doesn't distinguish between pen and touch, so you have to wear a glove or keep your hand off the screen to avoid stray marks on your canvas.
When you open a completed image from the Gallery section, you can play back a timelapse sequence of your sketch coming to life. The iPad version allows you to load photos to trace over. We hope to see that feature brought over soon.
For now, SketchTime is a no-brainer for Surface 2 users and for only $2 a welcomed Modern UI sketching option for Surface Pro artists.
PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2014 - App developer Hansol Huh today announced the release of SketchTime on the Windows Store.
SketchTime is already very popular on the Apple app store, which has been downloaded over 500,000 times. Now all the PC and Windows tablet users can enjoy this simple yet powerful app too.
There are already plenty of sketching and painting apps on the market. But when you want to make quick sketches, take simple notes, or scribble sudden ideas, not to make a masterpiece, what’s your choice? Don't you think the app takes long time to open a sketch pad, you have to set too many options, and you need to tap a number of times to set the line thickness and color? This is why I make SketchTime app.
Sketching like it should be. Simple, Fast and Fun! If you love sketching but dislike cluttered, complicated UI and too many options to set, SketchTime is your best choice. SketchTime is totally optimized for quick sketches. Just open up a sketch pad and let the sketches flow. All the essential tools right at your fingertips help you focus on your creativity. User interface couldn’t be more intuitive and fluid.
The unique SketchTime’s drawing engine makes your strokes faster and smoother. All vector-based strokes are automatically saved, so you never lose your valuable works. Moreover, you can watch your sketches smoothly play back. There are some more extra features you must like. Unlimited level undo and redo make you feel free to make a mistake. Responsive zooming makes you draw more detailed. You can lock your sketches for protecting from being deleted and edited by mistake.
What Media and User Say:
“SketchTime simplifies sketching down to its essence” - Apple Inc.
“If you are looking for a way to just draw without all of the complicated art accoutrements, SketchTime may be the answer.” - AppAdvice
“It lets me do very nice quick sketches without having to think about the tools all the time.” - User
Flickr Group:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchtime
Hansol Huh is a Seoul-based app creator of the popular creative apps, TypeDrawing, Artree, SnapPen and SketchTime.
Manga Studio 5.0.4 running on the Surface Pro 2 (right) with the program's UI displayed on the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, a bit of technical razzle dazzle made possible by the Android app TwoMonUSB and its desktop server software.
There's a lot to like about the Surface Pro, but we can all agree that its limited screen real estate isn't one of the device's most distinguishing features. Even tablet friendly applications like Manga Studio tend to crowd the Surface Pro screen, leaving precious little room for actual drawing.
Adding a second desktop monitor via the miniDisplayPort is an obvious solution for home or office, but isn't really practical when you're on the go. Korean developer Easy n Light has a fascinating, more portable solution in the form of the iOS and Android apps TwoMon and TwoMonUSB.
Both apps allow you to extend the Windows desktop to a smartphone or tablet via Wifi or USB, respectively. I didn't test the iPad version of TwoMonUSB, but assuming it works like the Android example shown above, it's a great option to consider if you carry around multiple devices.
For the app to work, you need to install a server application on your Windows desktop. Download the app to your Android or iOS device, start it up and connect a USB cable to your pc.
It occasionally takes a little plugging and unplugging of your cable to work, but eventually the software and Windows connect and you'll soon see your desktop extend to the second monitor.
Because the TwoMonUSB app relies on a USB connection, I noticed no lag between the two displays. I assume the same can't be said for the wifi version. Other wireless solutions I've used all exhibited significant lag.
In the specific test I ran with the Surface Pro 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, it was fascinating to see that touch and pen work on both screens. Pressure wasn't recognized on the Note Pro, however. But the idea here isn't to draw on the external monitor; rather the idea is to unclutter your canvas by moving the UI to the second screen. I tested with both Manga Studio and Photoshop CC and it worked great.
It's also unlikely you'd use a second screen that's bigger than your Windows tablet as I show above. I tried to test with a first generation Nexus 7 (my only other Android device) and I couldn't make it work.
UPDATE 4/9/2014: Thanks to the help of reader Reginald Atkins, I just got TwoMonUSB to work on my Asus first-gen Nexus 7. In order for the Windows desktop to control the Android device, the Google USB driver must first be downloaded from here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html. In Device Manager, the tablet will show as mounted but missing the required driver. Point Windows to your newly downloaded .inf file and the tablet will be mounted. It took me a couple of software restarts for the Windows and Android devices to finally see each other. But it works. The disadvantage of using TwoMonUSB on a capacitive device like the Nexus 7 is that you'll need to use your finger or a different stylus for that screen and tiny desktop touch targets aren't easy to hit with fat fingers or pen tips.
Besides testing with the Surface Pro 2, I also extended the display of my Sony Flip 15A onto the Samsung tablet. As with the SP, pressure sensitivity was not available on the Note. It was also weird having to remember to switch between the S-Pen and the Sony Active pen.
One important note: to make the Android app work, you'll need access to the Developer Settings menu on your device. I Googled around for the way to show this hidden menu on my Galaxy Note Pro. In the developer settings, you have to enable USB debugging.
TwoMonUSB isn't cheap as apps go, costing about $9 for each version. The desktop server download is free.
I don't know that I'll actually use any of my machines in this configuration, but it's certainly cool to know that it's possible. And compared to geeky solutions like Roccat's Power-Grid, it's much easier to extend the desktop than program a control grid for your individual application.
Hats off to reader Bob Roach who turned me on to this option. If you get a chance to try TwoMon or know of other similar products, leave a note in the comments section below.
PRESS RELEASE
Marvel Entertainment Announces Creativity Studio Stylus and App for iPad Combined, the Stylus and App let kids learn to draw their favorite Marvel characters and will be available in time for the Holidays.
Giant Marvel stylus for iPad?
Glendale, Calif. (October 24, 2013) - Disney Consumer Products (DCP) and Marvel Entertainment today announced the launch of the Marvel Creativity Studio Stylus and App, created by eKids, exclusively for iPad. The app delivers a creative space for kids to learn to draw, color and animate their favorite Marvel Super Heroes and villains from Avengers Assemble, The Ultimate Spider-Man and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., while the stylus adds special and enhanced play value.
"The Marvel Creativity Studio is an innovative way for fans of all ages to learn how to draw some of Marvel's most popular Super Heroes while allowing them to use their imagination to feel like they're part of the action," said Josh Silverman, executive vice president of global franchise licensing and commercialization at Disney Consumer Products. "Leveraging the comic drawing history of the Marvel brand with the innovation that eKids brings to the table - or in this case, tablet - this product delivers a fun experience with endless play value."
App and Stylus features include:
* Professionally illustrated coloring pages, where you can add your
own flare with tons of drawing tools and an extensive color pallet
* Use of the stylus to unlock special tools including the " Reveal"
tool to flawlessly color the page like a pro
* An interactive grid system that includes specialty drawing aids
such as side-by-side drawing canvas, trace lines and unique "Drawing Scope" - allowing artists of all levels to successfully learn how to draw these characters
* Build and animate action scenes with character stickers, sound
effects, speech bubbles and backgrounds
* Create your own custom stickers and add them to animated scenes
The Stylus - which includes unlimited access to all content and future updates - is available at mass retailers. A deluxe version with a limited edition zippered carry case is available exclusively at Apple Retail Stores and from the Apple Online Store; both retail for $34.99. The Marvel Creativity Studio app is FREE and may be found at www.appstore.com/MarvelCreativityStudio<http://www.appstore.com/MarvelCreativityStudio>.
For more information, visit www.eKids.com<http://www.ekids.com/>.
# # #
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) that delivers innovative and engaging product experiences across thousands of categories from toys and apparel to books and fine art. As the world's largest licensor, DCP inspires the imaginations of people around the world by bringing the magic of Disney into consumers' homes with products they can enjoy year-round. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store.
The Licensing business is aligned around five strategic brand priorities:
Disney Media, Classics & Entertainment, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Lucasfilm and Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books, magazines, and digital products and also includes an English language learning business, consisting of over 40 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental learning book program. DPW's growing library of digital products includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps that leverage Disney content in innovative ways. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide and is known for providing consumers with high-quality, unique products. Disney's official shopping portals online are www.DisneyStore.com<http://www.disneystore.com/> and www.DisneyStore.co.uk<http://www.disneystore.co.uk/>. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products www.DisneyConsumerProducts.com<http://www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/> or follow us at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving<http://www.youtube.com/DisneyLiving>,
www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving<http://www.facebook.com/DisneyLiving>,
www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving<http://www.twitter.com/DisneyLiving> and www.Pinterest.com/DisneyLiving<http://www.pinterest.com/DisneyLiving>.
About Marvel Entertainment, LLC
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information, visit marvel.com<http://www.marvel.com/>.
About eKids
eKids, a distributor of cutting edge electronics in collaboration with iHome, now brings your favorite licensed characters to life on iHome's award-winning and innovative products. We combined state-of-the-art technology with preeminent licensed characters from some of the world's biggest brands. The result is a line of interactive apps and styluses, fashion forward speaker systems, alarm clocks, headphones, ear buds, and iPod and mp3 docks that appeal to trendsetters of all ages looking for quality electronics and fun activities featuring iconic characters they love.