Yoto just announced two new audio devices for kids. There’s the fourth-generation Yoto Player and an updated version of the Yoto Mini.
The new Yoto Player is still a speaker with a pixel display, but the company has added some bells and whistles. Firstly, there’s a big green dial that kids can twist to play their “most loved audio.” This can access up to 20 pieces of content, including podcasts, stories and songs.
This is done directly from the device, so there will be no need for a kid to borrow a parent’s phone. Additionally, the functionality doesn’t require Yoto Cards, which are basically little NFC keys that get inserted into the player to access unique content.
The company has also upgraded the software so routines are easier to create and access. This means that parents can set up a routine just one time and the device will automatically do stuff like adjust the graphics to reflect the time of day.
Yoto promises that the hardware has been redesigned so it’s “easy for little hands.” The storage has been increased up to 64GB, downloads should be much faster and the nightlight panel has been upgraded.
All of this is very good news, considering an older version of the Yoto Player already made our list of the best audio gadgets for kids. However, there is a spot of bad news. The price is shooting up to $150, from $110. It’s available to pre-order right now, with shipments going out on October 15.
The Yoto Mini is also getting a nice little hardware refresh. This is the company’s cheaper and much smaller audio player. The upcoming Mini looks to be designed for the kind of adventures kids typically get into. It’s “rugged, water and dust-resistant.” The company promises it can “handle playground grass, sofa launches and rainy-day chaos without missing a beat.”
The upgrade also includes the same green button that allows access to content without Yoto Cards. The device has enough storage for “1,000 hours of audio” and it integrates with both wired and Bluetooth headphones.
Sadly, there’s another price increase here. The Yoto Mini is going up to $110, from $80. It’s available for pre-order right now, with shipments going out on September 30.
The company is also introducing several accessories for its devices. There are scratch-proof cases for both the Mini and Player that are available in four colors. It’s also working on a wireless dock and a case for Yoto Cards. We don’t have pricing or availability information on this stuff just yet.