PlayPad addresses the needs of both parents and their young children by presenting different contexts to different users. It is not a stand-alone player; playlists and preferences must be set using a compatible computer system. But PlayPads, highly mobile devices, offer listeners flexibility they don't have with computers, or even small laptops. Users have access to their full song collection, and can do some playlist modifications on the fly, such as adding a song from one list to another.

PlayPad allows children to use the same device as their parents, without struggling through an interface designed for an entirely different level of cognitive development. And parents can let their child use PlayPad without worrying about the child scratching CDs or getting oatmeal on the screen (it can be easily cleaned with mild soap or windex).

Child Interface

Children can interact with PlayPad quickly and easily by activating it with a token. These tokens can be anything from board game pieces to costume accessories to action figures. Playlists are keyed to certain tokens, so the music begins as soon as the token is waved in front of the screen. While playing music, individual songs are represented with brightly colored icons.

Adult Interface

As in the children's interactions, parents can choose to key certain tokens to certain playlists, but they can also interact with the touch-screen menu system. Adults get a more refined interface, and more fine-grained control of the music playing experience. Like most music players, they can select music either by pre-made playlist, or by browsing titles, artists, and albums.

Interactions

PlayPad features a number of gesture-based interactions to facilitate control of music playback.