
Once everything is set up, the result is a fairly impressive and unique digital-tactile experience for kids.įollowing along in the digital app, kids use the various manipulatives (puzzle pieces, markers, cubes, blocks or what have you) in each kit to physically perform a variety of activities and actions.
OSMOS PREP INSTALL
Once your device is set up, it’s just a matter of downloading a master app called the Osmo World Account, within which you can download and install the various Osmo apps that work with the kit you’ve purchased. This aims the camera at the area in front of the device where your child’s hands and the kit’s pieces will be, letting the software “see” them. There is a stand or base for your tablet to plug into and a reflector, which is essentially a plastic covered mirror that slides over the front facing camera of your device. The basic Osmo set up involves a few pieces of hardware that work together to create an augmented reality experience for kids that is actually pretty impressive.
OSMOS PREP ANDROID
So while Osmo has excellent compatibility with Apple devices, Samsung and other Android users will have to look elsewhere. Outside of the Apple ecosystem, however, Osmo is only supported on certain Kindle Fire tablets for now – the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8 (may need an extra camera adapter) and HD 10.
OSMOS PREP PRO
In fact, it can run on pretty much any iPad that runs iOS 10+, with the notable exceptions of the first generation iPad, the Air 4, and the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro series. Osmo requires a tablet to function and is most compatible with Apple iOS tablets (iPads). While the company has certainly listened to customer feedback in this regard by providing a protective case, we would obviously prefer to have the freedom to use our own if given the chance. That said, Osmo has recently come with a special protective case designed to work with the system that you can buy separately for about $49. Kids being kids, this can lead to some fairly expensive damage without proper parental supervision, so this probably isn’t a toy you should leave your kids alone with unsupervised. While Osmo can be used by kids as young as 3, and the physical pieces are pretty safe for that age range, keep in mind that your tablet must be removed from any bulky protective casings you may have. Originally created for kids 6 and up, Osmo has recently expanded its product line to include kits and games suitable for preschoolers and kindergarteners, and so can be used by kids 3+ as well.


Osmo is designed to be suitable for kids ages 3-12. Osmo kits provide a variety of physical objects and items (manipulatives) that can be picked up by the Osmo software, through a tablet, and brought to life on screen through a variety of digital games and activities that teach coding, math, reading, spatial recognition and more. Limited compatibility with non-Apple devicesįounded in 2013, Osmo is a learning kit that blends hands-on play with digital games to create a unique augmented reality-based interactive learning experience for kids ages 3-11.
