See what 25 Mumsnetters thought of the LG KizON NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

This thread is for the 25 Mumsnetters who tried out the LG KizON to leave their feedback.

Here’s what LG say, “For the last two weeks, lucky Mumsnetters have been amongst the first in the UK to try out the newest wearable technology from LG Electronics: the KizON.

The LG KizON has been designed specifically for children to wear on their wrists to be used as a direct communication device with their parents and guardians, which connects with Android smartphones via the easy-to-use LG KizON app. Sharing information and call access with a limited number of adults - approved by you - the LG KizON offers ease of mind by delivering real-time information of a wearer’s location and giving your children the ability to securely communicate with you via just a press of a button.

With its GPS capability, durable child-friendly design, easy-to-use functionality and a long lasting battery, the LG KizON offers an unobtrusive and secure way for your family to check in on your child’s location, call them back home for dinner or even just call to say hello, giving you peace of mind and giving them greater freedom and independence while they play.”

Thank you to everyone who’s been getting hands-on with the LG KizON and putting it through its paces over the past couple of weeks.
Please answer the questions below to give us your feedback.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?
2. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?
3. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?
4. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?
5. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?
6. What did your DCs think of the design?

Thanks
MNHQ

1. I thought the actual product is a great idea although I thought we were somewhat lacking with product information e.g how much the calls cost etc. My child loved using the product and I think its preferable to the idea of young children having mobile phones.
2. My fabourite feature is how it lets the parent know the KizOn has been switched off. Fab!.
3. I found it very helpful in this day & age.
4. To be honest we both found it a bit tricky to use eg how many seconds to hold the button in for various functions etc. I also thought all the texts it sends you are unnecessary and an expense.
5. We used the device quite alot although my son found the design on it a bit babyish so the novelty wore off a bit and was a bit embarassed to be seen with it. A more trendy design would be better.
6. As above my son found it infantile.

Thank you MNHQ and LG for allowing us to test for you. Loved the paperchase box easily pleased We have used it non stop. I've done a NC as DD (7) has announced to everyone that she got it because I'm a MNER and it's got me a little paranoid.

What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

We have enjoyed the test.
The tracking is close enough to know if she's where she should be without feeling too big brother.

I felt the battery low text were excessive, as the battery only lasts 36 hours, I had multiple texts every day and half even though it was sat next to the phone also 20% battery is still alot and doesn't really warrant so many text. Maybe 1 text at 30% and the kizon flashing red then at 10% start with constant messages.

I also felt uneasy that the phone has no ability to contact 999 in emergencies, I felt it should have some way to do this. I would also have liked the ability to set a second contact from my app and it to be a house number.

I would have liked a watch/timer on the kizon.

I loved that I could set it to answer automatically, I felt reassured that my call couldn't go unanswered.

It definitely gave DD more freedom and enabled me to feel comfortable in giving her more roaming ability. She could go down the park with friends or post a letter independently or just play out side the front without me watching on.

All in all, I felt this had huge advantages over a traditional mobile for young children but think some things need a bit of a tweek.

2. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON? Auto answer and tracking. I wouldn't have given her the freedom I have without these two features

3. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight? Extremely, she wouldn't have been out of sight without it.

4. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use? Button was slightly difficult to press and the size was a little big for her wrist but otherwise it was simple and easy to use. An constant led green to red light would have made it easier to keep track of battery and if it was off.

5. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?
Daily, every day after school and 2-3 times a day during holidays/weekends

1. What did your DCs think of the design? DD1 had the blue cars one and wasn't fussed by the cars, I felt it was babyish. It's slightly big so got in the way to start with but it was a minor annoyance. DD1 reports that everyone liked it and no one had a bad word to say about it.

Thanks Mumsnet and LG for letting us try the Kizon!

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Great! We had a fair few days out at busy places over the holidays and had ample chance to try it out. I liked the peace of mind it brought. It's pretty easy to use, but a bit more info about costs would have been helpful upfront.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

That DS can call me or me him if needs be. This also allowed me to call the family when they were out as DH is a mobile-refuser!

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Very helpful and reassuring, though the tracking isn't too useful unless there's an extreme situation.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Pretty easy, though with only one button it took us a while to get to used to the different functions. Easy to set up though.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

We used it any time we were out (I guess able 10 occasions). I've refused to let DS take it to school though.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

The shape and the way it attaches is good, though the cars and trucks design is far too babyish for any kid past about 3. DS has gone with it though. The colourways are extremely unimaginative and gender specific and could do with much improvement in my opinion.

Oh, some of the texts were a bit too frequent (and expensive)

Thank you for the opportunity to try LG Kizon :)

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

My son frequently uses Kizon and he likes it as he says that it is quite easy and comfortable to keep in touch with me. As far as I am concerned, I am quite happy with the use of the product and I do frown when every texts cost me money. Hopefully, if the company makes the a min.number of texts free every month, the product can be used without any problem for a long time.

2. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

I love the call feature. It makes everything easy by talking and yes, it does reminds me of Spy Kids watch :)

3. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

I find the call feature quite helpful than the tracking feature as it tends to give only the approximate location which tends to differ every time.

4. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

As it resembles a watch, my DS found it quite easy to use by wearing Kizon on his wrist. He is quite fascinated with his new found gadget.

5. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Most of time when we are out we tend to use the KizOn. Charging the device is very easy and I like the feature when the voice calls back from the device warning me of low battery. Yes, My son frequently uses it when we go out for shopping every week.

6. What did your DCs think of the design?

They liked the design. My son was actually asking for the clock on the watch and keeps asking why this watch does not have a time on it. After I explained him that it is not a watch but a calling cum tracking device, he was fine with it. And just as most mums-netters mentioned, an addition of a small digital clock on the big face of the device will be quite useful.

As far as the colour and design goes, I am quite happy with it as the design was mild and my DS likes blue colour.

I reviewed this device on my blog - here's the post www.momscribe.com/2015/04/lg-kizon-wearable-device-for-children.html

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KiZon

We were not actually able to test this. We tried to install the app on five different devices and we were unable to register it. Always got an error message

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

Unable to answer

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Unable to answer

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Unable to use the device so cant comment

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Unable to answer

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

My dd loved the design but was very dissapointed because we couldnt register it.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KiZon?

It was fine. My daughter loved it, but I wasn't overly impressed with it. Each time I tracked her it said that her location was quite a distance from where she actually was- one time I measured it as actually being a quarter of a mile away!

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

The fact that it answers auto,anti ally after ten seconds, and that it operates as a loud speaker meaning she could easily hear me.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

The calling facility was good, the tracking not helpful at all for the reasons stated in point 2!

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Very easy, although the lack of information for a whole week after it arrived was very unhelpful. We had no idea of call costs or even how to find out how much credit was on. Your helpline staff had no idea what it even was.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Every day.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

My daughter liked it but it didn't fit her wrist very comfortably at all meaning that she preferred to carry it around rather than wear it.

Thanks so much for letting us test this device.

1. What's your experience been like so far using the KizOn?

Really good. Both Dd and D's enjoyed using it as they loved the novelty of the gadget. We enjoyed the tracking aspect on the app and found it really accurate. Tested it the first day by playing hide and seek using the tracker. We did think it would be good to have another dot on the tracking map though. At the moment it shows you where the watch is but not where you are in relation.

Lots of friends parents were very curious when we explained the function and all thought it was a great idea.

1. Favourite feature

Definitely the tracking as we found it useful to check that Dd was where she was supposed to be. I also got a notification if she'd turned it off which would be useful to know!

1. How helpful did you find it to be able to reach your child while out of sight.

As a previous poster has said, without it DD would not have been out of sight. It's not a total failsafe as they have to remember to answer it/not take it off but definitely useful to be able to check in and remind them dinner is ready.

1. How easy did you and your kids find the KizOn to use?

It was really easy to set up. Got the app installed on my and DH's android phones within minutes and quickly got the unit connected. The app is very simple to use with options to call and track.

DD quickly got to grips with the watch. Took some trial and error to work out how to call/hang up and there were a few missed calls initially, but she seems to have the hang of it now even if I don't!

1. How often did you use the device during the trial?

The first week of the trial fell in the holidays so used it several times a day. They haven't been allowed to take it to school so maybe a couple of times a week since then. I imagine as the weather gets warmer, it will be used more as they will want to play out with friends in the early evening.

1. What did your DC think of the design?

We had a plain pink one which did (7) is happy to wear. She likes the fact none of her friends have anything similar so likes to show them.

From my point of view , I would like the option for a more neutral colour so that both children would wear it happily. Also to have a watch included in the face so that they can still tell the time. Finally, some kind of keeper to make sure it doesn't come off easily. I did worry it was a little bulky so was quite obvious to anyone looking. Finally, I'd quite like the option to be able to make a silent call without the voice telling everyone around that a call is being made!

Overall it was a very interesting device and we'll definitely be using it again.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Really good, it's a great concept for a product and gives both parent and child peace of mind.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

I like the option of it automatically phoning a second contact if the first doesn't answer and also the guest callers option. The tracking is also useful.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Very helpful. Nice to allow a little bit of freedom while still being easily contactable.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Reasonably easy. Tricky sometimes to hold the button for the appropriate amount of seconds but the app was very user friendly.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Fairly regularly for the two weeks and have more occasions coming up where it will be very useful.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

We had the pink heart design which 7 year dd was happy with. It was quite large for her wrist though. It would be so useful to incorporate a clock function and a time reminder function. It also needs a 'low credit' alert.

Thank you for letting us be part of the trial.

Mumsnet and LG thanks so much for selecting us test this device.

1. What's your experience been like so far using the KizOn?

Really good. DS was very excited when he heard we had been chosen and couldnt wait to try it.
I liked the tracking ability on the app and I tested it when my DS rang me to tell me which friends house he was in. It was very accurate.
I think the constant texting about battery life is a bit OTT especially as it impacts the credit and it would be good to have a simple way of knowing what credit is actually left on the device.
A watch on it too would be good.

1. Favourite feature

Definitely the tracking for peace of mind.

1. How helpful did you find it to be able to reach your child while out of sight.

My son is getting to the age where he is wanting more freedom and its very hard to let your baby go at any age. It gave great peace of mind to know I can easily get in touch with him as its on his wrist. A phone would likely be in his hoody pocket on the ground being used as goalposts!

1. How easy did you and your kids find the KizOn to use?

It was really easy to set up. I got the app installed and connected very quickly
It took a few attempts to work out how to call/hang up but now that he has that sussed its very easy.

1. How often did you use the device during the trial

I didnt allow him to take it to school so more at the weekends and a few evenings after school.

1. What did your DC think of the design?

We had the blue one and he was happy to wear it.
I did think the cars were verging on babyish but to be honest my son is so taken by it I am not sure he has noticed them - yet.

I think on younger children it could be slightly too big and bulky.

Overall its a great concept and many of my friends agreed. We will definitely continue to use it.

Many thanks again for letting us try it out.

Thank you very much for selecting us to take part in this trial.
I really liked the test and my daughter enjoyed it too. I found the tracking to be accurate to where she has been and I loved the fact it auto answered. I didn't like the fact I couldn't find out how much available credit there was as people I have spoken to haven't a clue what the product is. We used the devise everyday but I feel the excessive texts regarding the battery life was a waste. The design was nice and colourful my daughter loved it but was a little too big for her wrist as she is 5. I feel perhaps the design could feature the time?
The app was very straightforward to download and we were up and running within minutes although it states you could have 2 contact numbers I didn't get round to completing that so not sure how that would work.
I would recommend to friends/family but feel the design needs slightly tweaking other then that a fantastic idea and would definitely use again!

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?
Positive! It's a useful tool in a parents arsenal of gadgets to help ensure the happiness and safety of their children.

2. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?
To be honest I like both the tracker and the inward/outward calls as features. Together they make me feel like DD1 is a bit safer.

3. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?
Very helpful. I'm a WOHM and during the holidays DD1 was at kids club or staying with family. I had no reason to doubt she was safe, but being able to just look up where she was every so often gave me a warm feeling of knowing I was able to check up on her unobtrusively. She's not prone to being homesick, but if she had been I knew she could have easily reached me.

4. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?
Relatively easy. The app installed without any problems and I was able to easily connect up my phone as the primary contact. I haven't registered a secondary contact yet, as I'm not sure whether there's any way to remove or amend a contact? I couldn't see anything about it in the instructions.

Also, I anticipated that only Android phones would be able to be primary/secondary contacts and install the app, but is it limited to Android for guests as well?

DD1 spent half of the trial time with her DGrandparents over the Easter holidays. I set DGrandad and DGrandma up as guests, but only DGrandad's Android phone would connect - DGrandma's Apple phone went straight to voice mail.

However, I'm not sure whether this is because DGrandma has her number is set to privacy so doesn't appear when she calls? If it's due to the latter, it might be worth including in the instructions that numbers must be visible when calling for the device to accept them.

5. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?
More than I expected. I used it to keep tabs on where DD1 was, which was especially useful on the day she was returning with DGrandparents as I could track where their car was as they meandered up the country!

The week before, she also used it on several days to contact me on the way home, as she gets picked up by DH who then co-ordinates to meet up with me and DD2 on route. DD1 loved her special job of calling me to let me know where she and DH were.

We had a few days out over Easter, and while we didn't have any necessity to use the device features, it made me feel more confident in letting DD1 roam a bit wider. I can see it being particularly useful for days out, especially when they're likely to be crowded.

6. What did your DCs think of the design?
She liked it very much, she was all proud of having her own special phone to use. The first few days she got a bit overexcited and spent a lot of time calling me (or leaving giggly voice messages) but that calmed down once the initial excitement was over with.

The device as it's currently designed is a bit bulky on her wrist and doesn't sit well, as it's longer than her wrist is wide. If the size cannot be reduced then I'd suggest rotating the strap 90% so that the length of the device sits along the arm rather than across it.

The pink and hearts design was fine for DD1 (who is nearly 5YO) but I agree with others that it might be a bit childish for an older child. I'd like to see more gender neutral designs as well.

Suggestions
I would like the voice to have a British accent. The American one sounds horrible!

It might be a good idea to have a version with two buttons, clearly numbered and/or marked with different colours, to call each contact. If only one contact is set up, then either button could call the primary contact. DD1 I expect was one of the younger ones in the trial and I'm sure she could handle being told that "Blue is for Mummy and Red is for Daddy" or similar.

Having two buttons would also mean that for switching the device off or similar, you could press both buttons together. Means it's less likely for the child to do by accident and means it won't sound like you're trying to make a call.

With just one button, in the config I'd like to be able to set an amount of time it tries the Primary contact before the Secondary contact. I need my voicemail to be active, but it'd be good if I could set the KizOn to give up and try a Secondary contact before my voicemail kicks in.

For really complex, it'd be great if it did the same for the Secondary contact then went back to the Primary contact if there was no answer and DID allow it to go through to voicemail if there was no answer the second time. Hopefully that makes sense-!

A small display would be useful, which could display the time by default and possibly an indication of battery. Then it could display either a graphic or simple text when calls are being made to/from the device, configurable via the app. So it has or "Mum" when contacting or being contacted by the Primary contact, and or "Dad" for the Secondary, for example.

As others have mentioned, an indication of remaining credit would be useful in the App.

Also, voicemail needs to be turned off on the sim in the KizOn - as there's no way for the device to reach it, but having it accept a message makes the caller think it will.

I've just thought of another question... What happens if you change your phone or, worse, your current phone is lost/stolen/broken? Is there a way to disassociate the Primary contact, particularly without the phone being available for use, and change it to a new phone? If it's tied to the phone number, what happens if you change provider?

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Mostly positive although I couldn't use it as I thought I'd be able to for a couple of reasons. The GPS was often way out so where I thought I'd be able to let dd go to the park/shop alone and be able to track her there to make sure she actually made it there it didn't really work that way. Same on the beach or at a NT property, when I let dd go out of eyesight all I could see was that dd was in the (very) vague area. A couple of places we went the KizON had no signal as well. It went to voicemail when I called her a couple of times and there is no way of seeing that she had a message or to listen to it. I liked being able to turn the KizON off on the app but would have liked to be able to turn it on as well.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON? The fact that I can call dd and she can call me or DP only. I wouldn't want her to have a phone yet but I was able to add one of her friends as a guest which made dd very happy.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight? Great being able to call dd but the tracker wasn't brilliant.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use? Easy overall however we'd like to be able to find out how much credit was on it, either on the device or on the app on my phone. I actually haven't figured out how to top it up yet... Also the battery texts were annoying and excessive.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial? Most days through the Easter holidays and a few times since.

1. What did your DCs think of the design? Babyish. Dd said it looked like it was for a 2 year old. Also if it could be made slightly smaller that would be good. The design was way younger than the function IMO, I don't know many people who would let their 3/4 year old out of sight with or without the KizON.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

We loved it. The kids felt like they were secret agents on a spy mission (we let them take it in turns) and I liked the fact that they were wearing a piece of mobile technology much safer than a mobile phone for their developing brains.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

Being able to call them was my favourite, although the tracking facility ran a close second. The idea of having a limited number of registered adults who can call is a good one too. Sometimes my dad collects the kids from school so it is useful that the grandparents can use it too.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

This is the most invaluable feature of the KizON to me. It is so easy to lose sight of your kids in places like a busy shopping centre and both mine are prone to wandering off. The KizON is splashproof and has limited water resistance, but it isn't waterproof and I think it would be great if LG could address this because on of the easiest places to lose your kids is probably the beach, particularly on crowded summer's days and especially near water.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

It's really easy. We made sure we had a few practice runs in the house before setting out. Ieuan (5) had to be reminded by his sister to answer the KizON but soon got the hang of it. The only problem I found was that they both screamed so loudly with excitement when they answered it, I was practically deafened if I had my mobile too close to my ear! There is also a feature to auto connect (via the app) if your child does not answer the call for extra peace of mind.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

We used the KizON on four or five days out (one of which was when the kids were taken out by the grandparents). Because it's so easy to use, we were quickly up to speed with what the device could do and felt confident using it. We did not let Caitlin wear it to school though, being not quite sure what the rules about this would be and it will be interesting to see what schools feel about children wearing these devices during the school day. Walking home from school is obviously a key 'worry point' for parents and one of the times when kids would benefit most from a device like this.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

Ours was pink so Caitlin automatically claimed it. Ieuan wants a blue one. I think a neutral colour should sort out any arguments! We lived the design. As I said previously it looks like a piece of secret agent kit to my kids. My only quibble would be that it took us a while to get used to how the bracelet fits on but I guess this is so that it is not too easy for the child to remove it or for it to fall off.

In summary, I was really impressed and we will be using the KizOn in future (and getting one for Ieuan).

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

DD is 8 and has really enjoyed using this. She called me quite a lot at first but is now managing to confine herself to calls which are actually useful/informative. The first day she used it she was mainly calling to look cool, which was a bit annoying and featured a lot of giggling!

2. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

Knowing when it's been turned off and the auto-answer. The auto-answer was v useful as DD was often in a noisy playground while wearing it and she did not always hear the ringtone.

3. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

It was really good. I was able to ask DD to come and find me when I needed to and she called me a couple of times while out with friends etc, once to tell me they were on the bus and would be late back so not to come and pick her up until a bit later.

4. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Reasonably easy, though DD kept turning it off by mistake instead of making a call to start with.

5. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Most days, even if just for a short time. DD liked wearing it, even though it looked a bit odd as it was so big (it's about the right size for my wrist, I think).

6. What did your DCs think of the design?

Underwhelmed by the colour choice. DD didn't like the pink/blue thing. A neutral colour such as green or yellow would be a good option to have. DD absolutely loved wearing it, though, even though it was very big on her.

Suggestions

It would be really good to have an easier way of finding out how much credit is left - why can't this info be available in the app? A simple digital watch display would be really handy - so I could have told DD she could have half an hour to do whatever and then call me to meet up/come and find me or tell her to come back at 4pm. It wouldn't be practical to wear a watch as well what with the size of the Kizon. A couple of my calls did go to voicemail which was completely useless - no way for the message to be picked up. This feature of the sim should be disabled.

The number of texts was OK for me but I thought they could have been organised better so as to be properly informative. The GPS ones in particular were basically gibberish - a clickable link to open in Google maps or in the app would have been better.

Thank you very much for letting us test it! We really enjoyed it.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Good, it was easy to set up. DD liked it although it was rather big for her slim wrist. She is 5. DD3 (age 3) certainly could not wear it. I mention this as it says 3-9 years.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

DC can call you and vice versa.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Useful although this is dependent on mobile phone reception of course. This was problematic for us in some areas. Other than that, useful. It was peace of mind.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

I found it very easy. DD did understand it but needed a bit of support with figuring out how to call etc.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Properly about five times out and about. Lots around the house!

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

I agree re the pink/blue thing. Surely we are past that now! It needs to be more neutral and smaller as I mentioned earlier. I can now see that someone else has said the say thing. IT felt cumbersome for DD.

Suggestions - The number of texts irritated me. I don't want to be texted when it is turned on and off. That is both wasteful in terms of money and also annoying. I also wanted an easy way to check balance on the sim and top up. I did like it but the support part needs to be developed. It's not a cheap buy and you do need to be sure about how to monitor costs and top up.

DD liked it although it was rather big for her slim wrist. She is 5. DD3 (age 3) certainly could not wear it. I mention this as it says 3-9 years.

My DD is 8 and it was way too big for her wrist too (she is admittedly a bit skinny).

I really can't see why you can't manage top up and balance within the app, tbh.

Thanks for including us in the trial.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

It had potential to be very useful, but I was disappointed with a few aspects of the implementation.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

Limiting the config to the guardian's app. I would extend this to e.g. disable texts, alter ringtone etc.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Disappointingly, we couldn't use the auto-answer feature as the o2 SIM card was setup for calls to go to voicemail. (I tried disabling voicemail by putting the SIM in a phone and texting a code, but it didn't work.) The ability to configure the delay before auto-answer kicks in (from no delay to x seconds delay) would have been useful. Similarly, a visual cue and configurable ringtone could have helped the child to identify an incoming call or to answer the call. The ability to ensure that the child doesn't miss incoming calls, e.g. by auto-answering with no delay, would seem useful for when children are out of sight.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

A full user guide would have been useful, particularly as it cost £1 (2 texts to each guardian) each time we tested switching the device on and off , or tested other features. We did not find it intuitive, e.g. when long-pressing the call button to switch the device off , it is disconcerting to hear the message "you are making a call", which kicks in after 2 seconds, when we have to press the same button for 8 seconds to switch the device off . A poor design voice in my view, but a more complete user guide explaining that we should disregard the "you are making a call" message would have been useful. Also the ability to see when the device is making a call would be useful. Our credit was depleted by one child making a call which went to the guardian's voicemail. The child didn't seem to realise they had made a call or that they should hang up, and so they left a long voicemail message which used a lot of credit.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

We only used it for a few days.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

They liked that it looked like something a superhero would have (preschool to age 8)

Hi thank you for selecting us to test this product, we've all really enjoyed using it and found it very useful.

1. So far, we've found the kizon useful when Dd1 has been out playing, and also when we visited a local theme park we allowed her to have more freedom than we would've normally as we had the peace of mind that we could call her back.
2. Our favourite feature has to be the tracking. We found it very accurate when we used it.

1. It was very helpful being able to contact dd when she was out if sight. It allowed us to give her extra freedom that we wouldn't normally have done.

1. We found it very easy to setup and use. Dd2 is 5 and she could also use this product easily. The only thing we would have liked is the ability to still call the 2nd user when the first goes yo voicemail. I HAVE to have my voicemail turned on so it means there is no way of the kizon calling dh, who is setup as 2nd user, because my voicemail always stops it?
2. We used it as much as possible.the first week was still school holidays so she used it everyday, then once back at school she used it at weekends. We have a few camping trips over the summer and I think it will be very useful for these as dds are given a little more freedom then anyway so will be great to be able to call them back for their tea/shower etc

1. They both loved the design. On first glance I thought it may be a little babyish for Dd1 (8) but she loved wearing it and shoeing off what it can do to everyone. I would love their to verify a clock on their though as she is unable to wear her watch with this too. Dd2 (5) loves wearing it too, but it is a bit big and clumpy on her wrist.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

I really like it. It's a useful piece of kit. My dd and ds both loved taking turns being the one to wear the 'phone watch'. They have showed it all their friends both on holiday and at home, and I've even taken it into playgroup to show the other mums. It's generated a lot of interest around here! The only drawback so far has been not knowing how to check the balance and it sends quite a lot of text messages to our phones, sometimes useful - sometimes not!

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

Being able to call the kids back when I wanted them in for tea! I haven't used the location feature that much, but it's wonderfully reassuring to know it's there.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Very helpful. My ds and dd are at an age when they really want to go out and play with their friends, but with dd in particular I was rather reluctant to give her that freedom, and I certainly wasn't comfortable with sending them out with a phone - even an old one. This way they could ring me, I could ring them, but I didn't have to worry about it getting broken / getting stolen / having them make random phone calls on it. Knowing they are only one button away from contacting me if they needed me helped me give them more freedom to play.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Very easy. It's honestly just one button. Even my dd (who has dyspraxia and finds these things baffling) understood immediately what she needed to do. The app is also very easy to navigate and understand.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Every day during our holiday, and when they play out after school, so maybe 2-4 times a week on average.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

They both liked it. It says pink on the box but is actually more of a red, so even ds didn't mind it. They wanted it to have an actual watch on there too though. I also find that a good idea, one because they don't want to wear the device and a watch at the same time and it would be useful to tell them 'be in by xx' and two as it makes it look more like just a big watch if anyone looked at it so would be less desirable to try and steal.

Thanks so much for the chance to try this product, it already has a firm place in this household!

Thanks for the opportunity to try this out. We've enjoyed the novelty, and friends are queuing up to have a go!

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Mostly positive. I wouldn't have been able to rely on it, but that was due to being places that were either too noisy for DS to hear it ring (soft play hell over the holidays) or that had patchy phone reception. DS has enjoyed having it, and it's been nice to be able to communicate with him when I was away for work and he was with his dad or his grandmother.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

DS thinks the way the colourful ring of light does a rainbow effect is beautiful.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

Somewhat helpful, although more as a bonus extra, I didn't feel able to rely on DS answering.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Fine for me. I was frustrated by the texts every time it was switched on and off; there didn't seem to be a way to opt out of these and they used up a lot of credit. I would like more variability with ringtone, volume, voice prompts.

DS seemed to get the hang of it too, once he'd figured out the different things that pressing the button for different lengths of time did.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Daily during the Easter holidays, except for when we went to France for a couple of days. Then 3-4 afternoons each week, and maybe one day each weekend. He did not take it to school.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

DS liked the light. He wasn't very sold on the powder-blue colour and vehicles (and I agree - unimaginative gender binary, and too childish for school-age). He wished it had a clock in it.

I felt it was rather large and cumbersome, if it could be made less tall it would fit on a child's wrist better. As I wrote in the previous thread, "A further thought on design - DS calls it a "communicator" and likes the idea of talking into his wrist like a spy or a superhero or like the characters in Project X books (popular OUP reading scheme). If LG want to take our feedback about the age range / design mismatch further, that would seem like an obvious area to explore?"

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

We've really enjoyed using the KizON. It took a while to figure out the different functions on it and how many times to press the button. To start with it took me a while to figure out how to answer when my child rang me. Eventually I figured that you have to flick the green answer button towards the centre of the screen rather than just pressing it. Not sure why when I turned to KizON off from the mobile it would switch itself back on again after a few minutes. And then send me a text to tell me so. I think it would be better if it sent out fewer txts, as some seem a bit pointless and it starts getting costly. Having said all this it was lovely to let my children go to the park by themselves, knowing I could probably ring them.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

That dd can ring me with the press of a button.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

It was very helpful as I could ring them and ask them to come home when I needed them.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

After I got the hang of it then it was pretty easy. My dd got the hang of it more quickly than me.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

We used it quite a bit when we were on a camping holiday. I wanted to use it for a weekly dance activity to give dd more confidence as she stays there by herself. However the teachers said it was too bulky and made her put it in her bag, which was a shame.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

Dd thought it was a bit babyish as it had little cars on it. She's 7. My 5 yr old ds loved it though, although he wasn't very responsible with it and kept pressing the button to call me for the novelty factor. Which got a bit expensive. It would be better if it was a watch as well so that the children could monitor the time. It would make it less conspicuous as well if it looked like it was just a watch.

We did love it though and dd will be taking it with her when she goes to stay with family this weekend. I would definitely buy another one for ds as well, when they are finally for sale in the UK.

Thanks for letting us participate in this trial - we have really enjoyed it.

1. What’s your experience been like so far using the KizON?

Mainly positive - the kids have loved the extra bit of independence while out and about. We have let them just that bit further out of sight in large playgrounds etc knowing they could get in touch. They also had great fun using it in a maze where they beat the grown ups to the top!

Eldest DS (9) loves having it when playing out so he can be phoned to come in rather than someone going out to get him. Although, at 9 he did fid the design a bit babyish and put it in his pocket rather than on his wrist.

1. What’s your favourite feature on the KizON?

The fact that there is nothing to distract the children like on a normal phone - they can't run the battery down playing games or texting/emailing.

1. How helpful did you find it being able to reach your children while out of sight?

I really liked the reassurance of it in busy places - we used it a lot at a local garden estate with a huge play park where it's easy to lose sight of the DC and worry that they could wander off. Knowing they or we could phone and check in was great.

1. How easy did you and your DC find the KizON to use?

Really easy - set up on 2 different phones was straight forward and children could easily use it. Even DD (4) had a turn and could phone us though she didn't always notice if we rang her.

1. How often did you use the device throughout the trial?

Quite often - big days out and DS1 (9) used it playing out in the Easter holidays. I think we'll use it less in term time as obviously we know where they are.

1. What did your DCs think of the design?

They loved the idea of being able to wear it on their wrist but found the actual design a bit young. We thought for a generation of kids who have grown up playing on parents' tablets etc it looked a bit too much like a toy compared to that kind of technology. They also found it a bit uncomfortable on their wrists as well. Like lots of others have said, a clock would have been useful.

I also didn't like the fact that the 2 options were 'gendered'. Why not just do it in bright colours for boys and girls.

Finally, not one of the questions but I think it would be great to do an adult version for people who don't get on with mobile phones but need/want to have a contact with someone. Thinking particularly elderly parents but might be useful for others too.