New 'toy': All IMs, all the time

There's a new device you may soon be seeing on your child's wish list: the Zipit, just for instant messaging. With it, the communicators at your house will be able to participate in up to 99 simultaneous conversations! Just what you wanted. But its real upside is that it's a lot cheaper than texting on cell phones, which kids love and with which they're running up huge phone bills. The Zipit costs $100, with no service fees. It just requires its users to have the free IM accounts (via Yahoo, MSN, or AOL's AIM) that so many kids have and a wireless broadband connection at home, the library, a cybercafe, or anywhere (it's a cross between a texting-enabled cell phone and a laptop with a wireless connection). Another potential upside, cited by the Chicago Tribune, is the way it would free up the family PC for parents in households where the PC's monopolized by young communicators. But that's a downside too: They'll have even more opportunity to chat with friends 24x7 and not get to their homework! It also doesn't have any parental controls on it. But as far as I can tell from the Zipit Web site, because it connects IM-ers via their MSN, Yahoo, or AIM accounts, those services' options or preferences will apply. So, if you've configured the preferences with your child (such as blocking anyone not on their buddy list or logging their messages so you can check them later), they'll most likely apply on Zipit. For more on this, see "IM risks & tips."