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9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Webb Telescope, Amazon, iPhone Security and More
9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: Webb Telescope, Amazon, iPhone Security and More
Breathtaking. Spectacular. Jaw-dropping. Whatever your adjective of choice, it still may not adequately convey the majesty of the images we saw this week from the James Webb Space Telescope, in its very first returns in what looks to be a promising career of gazing deep into space with unprecedented clarity.
In our coverage, CNET's Monisha Ravisetti and Jackson Ryan walk you through each cosmic image in detail, and Monisha also has a fabulous explainer on the imaging science behind the Webb telescope. For those of you who like a little politics with your science, Eric Mack digs into why some people object to James Webb as a namesake. Plus, Jackson wasn't thrilled with Monday's press conference.
Those articles are among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don't want to miss.
The JWST delves into nebulas, colliding galaxies and an active black hole, and even provides a breakthrough look at an alien world.
NASA
Workers hustle through Prime Day in a job where getting hurt is common. Getting help can be hard.
Getty Images
The tech giant has always talked the talk about security. Now it's walking the walk.
James Martin/CNET
Two words: infrared imaging.
NASA, ESA/Hubble and the Hubble Heritage Team
Nerd out with me on this unofficial Stranger Things tour.
Species are likely to die long before we have a chance to discover them. How can we ensure they're not lost forever?
Australian Museum
Commentary: Between Apple's iOS 16 and a report that Glance will shortly be launching on Android phones, the lock screen is evolving.
Three of the best AR projects from Tribeca Fest blaze uncharted pathways -- to time-traveling meta therapy, unearthed history and Shakespearean rock.
Tribeca Festival
Musk agreed to buy Twitter for $44 billion, but then he changed his mind.
Not sure if your PC is compatible with Windows 11? Here's how to check
Not sure if your PC is compatible with Windows 11? Here's how to check
Windows 11 dropped in October (here's our full Windows 11 review), and with it came significant compatibility questions. Uncertainty regarding compatibility has been common among PC users since this summer when Microsoft unveiled its first major Windows OS upgrade in six years. Fortunately, Windows 11 should work with most PCs, according to a company blog post. That said, though Windows 11's release date already came and went, certain compatible devices won't necessarily get the upgrade yet -- Microsoft set a target for mid-2022 before every Windows 10 device can download and install Windows 11.
Annoyingly, Microsoft's own tool for determining device compatibility -- the PC Health Check app -- wasn't up to par when Microsoft first announced Windows 11 (there were reports it didn't give people enough information about why their devices weren't compatible), so the company temporarily removed the app. But Microsoft's PC Health Check is now back online and in working order. The app will tell you if your computer meets the requirements to run Windows 11 -- and if your PC doesn't, the tool will tell you why and provide links for more support.
But that's not the only way to check if your device will work with the free Windows 11 update. Read on for all of your options for checking Windows 11 device compatibility. With the Windows 11 release date finally past (remember, however, that it'll be a staggered rollout), it's a good idea to check your own computer. If your device doesn't meet eligibility requirements, you may need to replace your PC by 2025 as Microsoft will phase out Windows 10 over the next several years.
Read more:Should you buy a new Windows laptop now, or wait for Windows 11?
Option 1: Use Microsoft's PC Health Check app to see if your computer can run Windows 11
Follow these steps to test whether your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11.
1. Download Microsoft's PC Health Check. Open the file, agree to the terms of service and click Install. Make sure the box is checked that says Open PC Health Check, and click Finish.
Here's what you'll see after running the updated Microsoft PC Health Check app if your device is not compatible with Windows 11.
Microsoft
2. The app home page that pops up says, "PC health at a glance." At the top, a box reads, "Introducing Windows 11." Click Check now.
If your machine isn't compatible, you'll get a message that says, "This PC doesn't currently meet Windows 11 system requirements," with more information below.
If your machine is compatible, you can download the Windows 11 update for free. The official Windows 11 release date was Oct. 5, but Microsoft is planning a staggered rollout, and many devices will not see the upgrade until 2022.
Option 2: Try the WhyNotWin11 app to check Windows 11 compatibility
An open-source app called WhyNotWin11 is a good alternative to the PC Health Check app. The Github app, created by a developer not affiliated with Microsoft, has a less friendly interface, but it should give you more information and go into more detail about various potential compatibility issues. Here's more information from TechRadar on how to use it to determine your own device's compatibility with Windows 11.
Option 3: Check Microsoft's list of system specifications for Windows 11
To determine if your current PC will be able to run Windows 11, you can check out this list of system specifications on Microsoft's website, or in the chart below. If your machine is compatible, you can download the Windows 11 update for free when it becomes available.
What are the system requirements to run Windows 11?
Here's the full list of system requirements for Windows 11, including at least 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 720p display larger than 9 inches diagonally.
Windows 11 requirements
Spec
Requirement
Processor
1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
RAM
4GB
Storage
64GB or larger storage device
System firmware
UEFI, Secure Boot-capable
TPM
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card
Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display
HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Internet connection and Microsoft account
For Windows 11 Home edition: internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. For all Windows 11 editions: Internet access to perform updates and to download and use some features; Microsoft account for some features
WhatsApp Status: Everything you need to know about the Snapchat clone
WhatsApp Status: Everything you need to know about the Snapchat clone
WhatsApp is rolling out a new Status feature to all users. Instead of the text-only status that lets people know whether you're busy or available to chat, the new Status feature uses photos, text, emojis and sketches to show what you're doing. If that sounds familiar, it could be because it appears to be inspired by Snapchat.
And unlike Snapchat and Instagram, WhatsApp can protect your Status updates with end-to-end encryption.
Here's what you need to know about the new feature.
When will I get the Status feature?
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
When your account gets access to Status, you won't have to download or install an app update from the App Store or Play Store -- it'll just show up.
You'll know if you have access to Status on iOS when the Contacts tab gets replaced with a camera icon (see photo above), and the far-left tab reads "Status." Android users will see a new Camera icon to the left of the Chats tab, next to a new Status tab.
Who can see my Status?
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
WhatsApp includes privacy settings, giving you complete control over who sees your Status. By default, only your contacts can view your Status, but the privacy settings let you change that.
With the Status tab selected on an iPhone, tap on Privacy. Android users, tap the menu button > Status Privacy.
You are given three options:
My Contacts: All of your WhatsApp contacts can view your Status.
My Contacts Except...: Select the people you don't want to show your Status to. This still shares your Status with the rest of your Contact list.
Only Share With..: Select only with the contacts you want to show your Status to.
If you change your privacy settings after uploading a Status, keep in mind the new settings will only impact future updates.
Viewing your friends' Statuses is a lot like Snapchat
If you already use Snapchat Stories or Instagram Stories, then you'll feel right at home with Status. Here are the basics:
To view a Status uploaded by your friend, open the Status tab. A list of friends who've shared a Status will fill in.
Touch the screen to pause a Status, giving you more time to view it, tap to skip through a Status, or swipe left to go to the next person.
Swipe up on a status to reply to the the Status you are currently viewing.
...And so is updating your Status
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
WhatsApp Status includes all the familiar features of Snapchat and Instagram Stories -- stickers, text captions, drawings and more. Here's how to update your Status:
To add a photo or video to your WhatsApp Status, open the app and tap the camera icon. Take a photo or video, or pick one from your camera roll.
You can draw, write and place emojis on the photo. There's also an option to add a caption that will be shown on the bottom of the photo or video as your contacts watch it.
Finally, tap the paper airplane icon. You can either send your Status directly to a friend, as a photo or video within a conversation thread, or you can tap My Status at the top of the list to update your Status.
Videos can go longer than 10 seconds
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET
Instead of limiting your video status updates to just 10 seconds (like Snapchat), videos you record and share as a Status can be as long as 45 seconds.
And you can upload GIFs!
In the year 2017, supporting animated images, or GIFs, in an app is a requirement. As such, WhatsApp Status will accept GIFs you've saved to your camera roll or photos app. Select a GIF, trim it down if you need to, and share just as you would a regular, boring, photo or video.
Your Status will remain active for 24 hours, after which it disappears.
Sadly, there doesn't appear to be a way to save a Status to your phone. Whatever you capture and create in WhatsApp is limited to WhatsApp.
Find out who's viewing your Status
A view counter is placed at the bottom of your screen, showing you how many people have watched or looked at your status. You can swipe up on the screen to view a list of contact names who have viewed your Status.
You can get away with screenshots
Unlike Snapchat, WhatsApp does not alert you when a contact takes a screenshot of your Status. In other words, be conscious of exactly what you are sharing to your Status, just because it disappears from your Status after 24 hours doesn't mean no one saved a copy.
Check out our complete guide to Instagram Stories.
Snapchat's Spectacles are now available for purchase online. Here's our review.
9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: iOS 16, Metaverse, Ms. Marvel and More
9 Great Reads From CNET This Week: iOS 16, Metaverse, Ms. Marvel and More
This week brought us Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, when the maker of Macs and iPhones shares details of coming changes to the software that runs those and other devices. WWDC is on the geeky side, but it's also pretty clear what's in store for everyone who uses Apple products.
We found out, for instance, about iOS 16, coming to iPhones later this year with features like an updated lock screen heavy on customization; Apple Pay Later, which splits the cost of a purchase across four payments; and Safety Check, designed to help people at risk of abuse. We got a peek at MacOS Ventura, along with a redesigned MacBook Air and a 13-inch MacBook Pro, both of which will pack the new M2 chip. And we learned about WatchOS 9 and iPadOS 16, too.
Our stories about WWDC came to you among the many in-depth features and thought-provoking commentaries that also appeared on CNET this week. So here you go. These are the stories you don't want to miss.
Commentary: Apple's changes to the iPhone lock screen are a bigger deal than you think.
James Martin/CNET
Commentary: Moderating social media is hard. Moderating the metaverse will be harder.
Getty/Xinhua News Agency
As tech's reach grows, companies are taking on a new, very personal, set of issues.
Screenshot/CNET
Here's why people freeze in place and have waking nightmares.
OsakaWayne Studios
The new MCU series about a Pakistani Muslim-American superhero shows just how far Hollywood has come.
Disney Plus
I don't recommend it.
Ben White
Initial analysis of the samples from asteroid Ryugu show the rock could change our understanding of the early solar system.
JAXA/Akihiro Ikeshita
Commentary: WatchOS 9's new running features could pair nicely with the rumored Apple Watch Explorer Edition.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Google, Apple, and Microsoft expect passkeys can completely replace passwords. Apple support arrives in iOS 16 and MacOS Ventura.
Apple
§
This story is part of WWDC 2022, CNET's complete coverage from and about Apple's annual developers conference.
What's happening
Apple's WatchOS 9 update will bring new athletic performance metrics to the Apple Watch, among other key improvements to health and fitness tracking.
Why it matters
The update could be setting the stage for the rumored rugged Apple Watch expected to debut this year.
What's next
Apple will launch WatchOS 9 in the fall, possibly alongside three new Apple Watch models.
If WatchOS 9 serves as any indication, the Apple Watch's future is all about health and fitness. That message was front and center in June when Apple unveiled the new software, which is now available in beta ahead of its fall launch.
The update will bring more sports-performance tracking metrics (especially for runners), deeper sleep monitoring and tools for logging medication. It's impossible to know what to expect until Apple announces its next smartwatch (or smartwatches). But WatchOS 9's focus on athletic training seemingly sets the stage for the rumored Apple Watch Explorer Edition, which we might see later this year.
Read more: This Stylish, Luxury Hybrid Watch (Almost) Made Me Ditch My Apple Watch
It also suggests Apple wants its smartwatch to appeal to pro athletes, casual exercise enthusiasts and those who need to monitor cardiac health all at the same time. The next crop of Apple Watches rumored for the fall will likely come with new hardware to better support that vision -- hopefully with better battery life, too.
WatchOS 9's workout features would be a great for an Explorer Edition Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 7
Lexy Savvides/CNET
Apple sprinkled a bunch of new workout tools and metrics throughout WatchOS 9. These include new running data points like stride length and ground contact time, the ability to track heart rate zones, interval training, a multisport workout type for triathlons and kickboard detection for swimmers. The announcement also comes after Apple made improvements to the Apple Watch's cycling detection last year.
Only Apple knows what's in store for the future. But it feels like no coincidence that this update is coming as Apple is expected to launch a rugged Apple Watch designed for extreme sports this fall. Bloomberg reports an Apple Watch with extra impact resistance similar to Casio's G-Shock watches could be in the works. The watch is sometimes referred to as the Explorer Edition internally and may have a rubberized casing for additional durability, the report said. The device would reportedly be marketed as an alternative option for athletes and hikers alongside the standard Series 8 and next-generation Apple Watch SE.
Read more: iOS 16's Lock Screen Upgrades Make the iPhone More Like a Smartwatch
The Apple Watch already has plenty to offer fitness buffs, with many workout choices, activity goals and reminders, heart rate notifications and metrics like VO2 max and elevation. But until WatchOS 9 arrives, the Apple Watch will lack running-specific features that athletes might find useful. Garmin's running watches, for example, include tools like training programs for specific types of races, pace guidance and running metrics like cadence and stride length, among other features that vary by the model.
The Apple Watch is already the world's most popular smartwatch with 36.1% of global shipments in the first quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. With the new measurements geared toward runners coming in WatchOS 9, Apple could further solidify its grip on the market by appealing to the more niche competitive sports audience.
Even with the new features in WatchOS 9, the Apple Watch still won't offer quite as much feedback for runners as some specialized watches. But the new software certainly brings the Apple Watch closer than ever before.
What else WatchOS 9 might tell us about the Apple Watch's future
The Apple Watch's new Sleep Stages feature in WatchOS 9
Screenshot/CNET
Apple's emphasis on fitness was at the heart of its WatchOS 9 announcement. But some of the software's other updates might also suggest Apple's future direction. For example, the company did more on sleep tracking by introducing Sleep Stages, a feature that analyzes the amount of time spent in various phases of slumber. Apple is playing catch-up in this regard; rival fitness trackers from Fitbit, Oura and Samsung have supported this feature for years.
Apple's expansion in sleep tracking indicates it expects Apple Watches to be worn overnight more frequently. That makes me believe Apple could be planning some type of improvement to the Apple Watch's battery life, although there's no way to know for sure until the company reveals its next watch.
Apple says its smartwatch can last for 18 hours on a single charge, and anecdotally I typically get about one to two days out of it before it needs a power boost. The Apple Watch's battery life hasn't changed meaningfully in years, but Apple has worked around this by implementing faster charging speeds with the Series 6 and 7.
Apple will likely continue down this path rather than dramatically improving the watch's battery life. But there's also a chance Apple could introduce a new low-power mode with more functionality than the watch's current power reserve feature, says Bloomberg. It was supposed to launch with WatchOS 9, according to the report, although Apple didn't mention a new low-power option during Monday's event.
Considering that battery life has been one of the Apple Watch's persistent criticisms -- and not to mention Bloomberg's reliable track record -- I wouldn't be surprised to see this capability arrive in the future. And remember: Apple introduced new WatchOS 8 features for cyclists alongside the Apple Watch Series 7 during its fall product event in 2021. So there's a chance Apple could have more software features to announce later this year.
WatchOS 9 also provides another signal that Apple is expanding its efforts in general health and wellness. A new feature called AFib History will allow those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to access more information about their condition, such as an estimate of how often their heart rhythm is showing signs of A-fib. Another highlight in WatchOS 9 is the ability to track prescriptions and receive medication reminders.
These updates indicate Apple sees its watch as a tool for tracking bodily changes over time that can be shared with physicians. And if reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal prove accurate, Apple will take that idea a step further by adding a temperature sensor to the Series 8.
Many of the Apple Watch's major turning points have historically been tied to new hardware releases. The Series 3, for example, was the first model to support cellular connectivity, making the Apple Watch feel like a stand-alone product rather than an iPhone companion. The Series 4 brought ECG monitoring and fall detection, broadening the Apple Watch's role as a health device.
WatchOS 9 isn't as big of a leap forward as those launches. But it will bring functionality that could be crucial in Apple's mission to make the Apple Watch the ultimate health and fitness device. And that's very telling of Apple's immediate and long term plans for the Apple Watch.
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Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
Lovevery Play Kits Reviewed: Are These Subscription Boxes Worth the Money?
I started seeing the Lovevery Play Kit ads almost immediately after I became a mom. The ads showed colorful, aesthetically pleasing baby toys that seemed to be curated around developmental milestones.
Because my newborn was more of an inanimate blob than I'd expected (they all are, it turns out), I'd been having trouble figuring out what to do with him between nap times. Not only was it kind of boring to try to interact with an inanimate blob, but I also felt the modern parenthood anxiety of milestone-meeting, experience-fostering and lesson-learning bubbling almost from day one.
My hunch was that I could quell this anxiety by creating and executing daily activities with my baby, almost like a curriculum. That would make maternity leave a lot less boring, too. The problem -- I'm not a trained Montessori teacher or a child development expert. I was also busy nursing, changing, bathing, burping (the baby, not myself) and rocking to spend any time lesson planning for a newborn. Could the Lovevery Play Kits do the heavy lifting for me? (And the better question: Would they be worth the price?)
My colleague Alison DeNisco Rayome and I tested four Lovevery Play Kits with our real kids (The Looker for kids who are 0 to 12 weeks old, The Senser for 5- to 6-month-old kids, The Realist for kids aged 19 to 21 months and The Helper for kids who are 25 to 27 months old) to answer that question. Read on for what we thought. Plus, check out the list of hot kids' toys to buy as gifts, toys for the kid at heart, STEM toys we love and the best gifts for 2-year-olds.
Read more: Here's a toy that makes the perfect gift for any age .
What are Lovevery Play Kits?
Lovevery is a US-based toy company that sells Montessori-inspired subscription boxes focused on "stage-based play." The idea is that kids have different needs at different stages in their development, and the right toys can support those needs.
The Play Kits (Lovevery's name for its curated subscription boxes) are separated into four buckets by age: 0 to 12 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Each age bucket is further broken down by smaller ranges, with boxes named after their respective developmental stage (e.g. The Charmer Play Kit is for months 3 to 4, while The Observer Play Kit is for months 37, 38 and 39).
Every kit includes a few toys, a book and a parents' guide that provides ideas for using the toys inside to help your child meet their milestones. The toys are made from sustainable and baby-safe, natural materials -- and they look pretty sleek on your shelves, too.
Is Lovevery Montessori?
Yes, Lovevery is inspired by the Montessori method, which emphasizes independence, STEM skills and toys that develop skills used in real life. That also means you won't find any flashing lights or noisy toys inside your Play Kit. Instead, the toys tend to favor "open-ended play," so kids can continually invent new ways to play with them. (Read more on Lovevery's approach to the Montessori method.)
Read more: Baby Registry Checklist: 10 Baby Products I Wish I'd Asked For
A toy from The Senser, Lovevery's play kit for kids aged 5 to 6 months.
Lovevery
How much does a Lovevery Subscription cost?
When you first sign up for a Lovevery subscription, you'll enter your child's birthday (or due date or adjusted age), and Lovevery will suggest a Play Kit to get started with. You can also add a few of the earlier boxes to your initial order, because the toys inside will likely still appeal to older kids.
Boxes for kids aged 0 to 12 months cost $80 a box and ship every two months. Other ages will get a box every three months for $120 a box. You can also prepay for several boxes at a time, which lowers the cost per box down to as little as $72 for infants or $108 for older kids.
Because you can skip boxes or cancel your subscription at any time, it's easy to buy a one-off box to try it out or to give as a gift. Since the Lovevery website shows what's inside each box before you order, you don't have to buy the ones that don't look as compelling.
Read more: 9 Book Subscription Services for Kids and Young Adults
Is Lovevery an American company?
Yes, the subscription box company is based in the US. Boise, Idaho, specifically, is the city that the company calls home and it's where the toys are designed. They're manufactured, however, by a network of suppliers throughout Asia.
Testing the Play Kits (with a real baby and toddler!)
Boxes for 0 to 12 months
Cost: $80
Boxes we tested: The Looker (weeks 0 to 12) and The Senser (months 5 to 6)
The Looker box includes:
A double-sided mobile
Sensory links (soft, high-contrast toys that can hook together or on a stroller or play mat)
Two black and white card sets (one with simple patterns and one with complex patterns)
A standing cardholder (to put the cards in during tummy time)
Black and white mittens (to promote hand discovery and body control)
A wooden book with black and white animal pictures
A silicon rattle with a removable ball
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The double-sided spiral mobile, with high-contrast black and white on one side and colorful circles on the other side, was a big hit with my newborn daughter -- she loved looking at it when we held it up or tied it to her play gym. (Lovevery suggests hanging it over the changing table as a distraction, too.) The black and white cards were a mainstay in her play gym, and the little book seemed to hold her attention more than some of her other high-contrast books did (perhaps because it's "baby's first book made with sustainably harvested wood" and she's a budding environmentalist? Who's to say).
Not listed on the website, but my kit came with a mug for a parent that reads "The Days Are Long But the Years Are Short." It's not my favorite child-rearing sentiment, though it's proven true for me, but it was nice to have a little gift included.
The real winner, though, was the parents' play guide. It's difficult to know how to engage with a newborn, but Lovevery gave some practical ideas to align with her weekly development. I found that helpful as a first-time parent who was overly stressed about being able to give her enriching playtime.
What we didn't like:
The sensory links were never a favorite, perhaps because she had several other similar clip-on toys that came with her play mat and and stroller. And while the black and white mittens were a good idea, in theory, the effort it took to get them on and off a squirmy newborn wasn't worth it for me most days.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Senser is Lovevery's Play Kit for babies aged 5 to 6 months old.
Lovevery
The Senser box includes:
A spinning rainbow wheel
A magic tissue box (to pull cloth tissues out of and put back in)
Magic tissues (cloth tissues that can link together)
An organic cotton rainbow ball
Parts of Me book
A pair of play socks with bells on the toes
A tummy time wobbler
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
Once my daughter hit the 6-month mark, the way she played changed dramatically, particularly since she could stay sitting up with little assistance. The spinning rainbow wheel is one of her favorite things to play with, and it keeps her occupied longer than most other toys. Once she got the hang of the magic tissue box, she enjoyed pulling the tissues out of that as well (and using them to chew on and play peek-a-boo with). The tummy time wobbler has been another solid choice both while on her tummy and while sitting up. She still tries to eat that, too, like everything else.
I'll admit, I was a Lovevery skeptic, just given the price tag. But this box convinced me these are great toys that can give your baby plenty of entertainment, and I'm already planning to buy the next one.
What we didn't like:
The play socks seem like they might have been a bigger hit when she was younger, as she discovered her feet long ago. The rainbow ball is also pretty but only holds so much interest.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
The Looker box from Lovevery comes with a magic tissue box.
Lovevery
Box for 1-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Realist (months 19, 20, 21)
The Realist box includes:
A wooden lock box with four locking mechanisms
A puzzle with shapes that nest and stack
Fabric "critters" that can be tucked into matching pockets on a quilted wall hanging
A cup and pitcher for pouring your own drinks
Bea Gets a Checkup board book
A wooden "ring chute" with rings
A flashlight that lights up
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
The lock box is my 2-year-old son's favorite toy, and the fabric critters have taken up residence inside it. Locking and unlocking each of the doors -- and putting things inside, then taking them out -- has occupied more of his time than pretty much any other toy. Unfortunately, he's now learned how to lock his own bedroom door. Thanks, Lovevery.
The flashlight is easy for a toddler to turn on and off and my son likes to use it to find toys in his bedroom when the lights are off, since he can't reach the light switch. We've also read the included board book, Bea Gets a Checkup, dozens of times and the requests keep coming.
What we didn't like:
The ring chute toy is aesthetically pleasing but it seems to only have one real use, a use my son is not very interested in. Considering how large the toy is, I'd have preferred something with a little more versatility.
--Karisa Langlo
The Helper Play Kit comes with a play sink that pumps water.
Karisa Langlo/CNET
Box for 2-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: The Helper (months 25, 26, 27)
The Helper box includes:
A play sink with a real pump, plus cups and dishes for washing up
Felt flowers in a stand that can be removed, counted and bundled
Washable tempera paint "sticks" with paper in a travel-friendly zippered pouch
Making Muffins board book
A "dot catcher," which looks like a rainbow Connect Four game
A two-sided puzzle that uses the same pieces for two separate designs
Routine cards with photos of everyday tasks for mapping out routines
The parents' play guide
What we liked:
My son couldn't get enough of the play sink. Its ingenious design lets you keep the water running without the sink ever overflowing or running out of water. Because it's not hooked up to a waterline (it just recycles the same reservoir through its pump repeatedly), you can't get any dishes clean in it, but my son loved pretending to wash dishes next to me at the real sink while I washed real dishes.
The box arrived just as we were starting to work on learning colors, and the rainbow dot catcher couldn't have been a more perfect toy. My son now knows his colors like the back of his hand, but he still likes to drop the colored wooden discs into their corresponding slots, and he gets a kick out of the quick-release lever.
What we didn't like:
The puzzle and routine cards both seemed a little too advanced for a young 2-year-old. They both also seem like toys you could make yourself, if you had the inclination for DIY.
-- Karisa Langlo
Box for 3-year-olds
Cost: $120
Box we tested: Didn't test one (yet!)
Lovevery offers four Play Kits geared toward three-year-olds, up to age four:
The Observer Play Kit: Months 37, 38, 39
The Storyteller Play Kit: Months 40, 41, 42
The Problem Solver Play Kit: Months 43, 44, 45
The Analyst Play Kit: Months 46, 47, 48
While we haven't tested one of them yet, the Lovevery Play Kits designed for 3-year-olds all include a similar mix of items as the younger boxes, with more sophisticated, preschool-age appropriate toys and books.
The Looker Play Kit from Lovevery.
Lovevery
Beyond the Play Kits: The Lovevery app and other products
The Lovevery app requires a subscription to the toy boxes to access (though you can also get the app if you received a box as a gift). Like the parent play guides, I found it to be a great resource for ideas for what to actually do with your baby all day long.
On the Activities tab, you'll see a list of toys from the age-appropriate toy box that you can tap on to get ideas for how to use by the month of your baby's age. There are also suggestions for using toys from prior boxes that are still age-appropriate in new ways. Beyond that, you'll find several other DIY activities to try (at 7 months, things like playing with paper and teaching your baby to clap), which you can check off to keep track of what you've tried.
The My Baby tab shows what motor, cognitive, communication and social/emotional skills your baby will be learning that month with a pediatrician's video. This section reminded me of a more in-depth What To Expect app. But I appreciated that it makes sure to note that all babies are different to ease the minds of worried parents. An Ask and Learn section lets parents write or search for different questions and topics that Lovevery's developmental psychologists and pediatricians answer.
If you have the toy boxes, it's worth downloading the app (if you have an iPhone -- there's no Android version) to get the most out of them.
The other Lovevery product you'll often find on baby registries is The Play Gym. As with all of its products, it's more aesthetically pleasing than many others on the market -- and more expensive, at $140. It's also a bit larger, since it's meant to be used for the baby's entire first year, with relatively tall wooden posts -- so it may not be the best choice for people in apartments or smaller spaces.
The Play Gym comes with a few toys that my baby loved, including a bell to ring and a crinkly teether. But to be honest, she seemed to get bored more easily on this mat than on the less expensive Skip Hop one I originally registered for, which is decidedly not a Montessori product. I think if I'd been invested in the ecosystem of toy boxes, it might have given us more to do there.
As with everything else with parenting, it depends on what you want: If you have the resources to invest in the Lovevery system, it's a great choice. But your child will be just fine without it, too.
--Alison DeNisco Rayome
Is the Lovevery subscription worth it?
If you're looking for a one-off, curated toy box to give as a gift, the Lovevery Play Kits are definitely worth the money. The quality of the toys individually makes the price reasonable, and you get the added bonus of knowing they've been hand-selected by experts. If you can afford it, you likely won't be disappointed. Lovevery knows what it's doing!
As a subscription box, though, the price becomes a bigger concern. Do you need to spend the equivalent of $40 a month on toys (or $36 a month, if you factor in the prepay savings)? One thing to think about: As your child ages, the mystery of how to interact with them naturally dissipates, and they'll likely begin playing with whatever you have lying around the house anyway (including the Play Kit boxes themselves). At this point, an expertly curated toy box becomes even more of a nice-to-have.
And another thing: Between birthdays, holidays and overindulgent grandparents, a lot of children are positively drowning in toys. A monthly box will only worsen the problem of clutter, which goes against the Montessori ethos. According to the Lovevery website, "parents say these are the 'only toys you'll need.'" I'm inclined to agree! But I have no idea how to keep all the other stuff out of my house.
"We did all the research so you don't have to," the company's website also declares. And for those parents who otherwise would spend hours researching developmentally appropriate kids' toys, the statement isn't wrong. But not every parent does -- or should -- fret over toy research. And even for parents experiencing anxiety around optimizing a child's playtime, there are far cheaper ways to fill a toy chest.
Correction, June 7: This story initially estimated the monthly cost of a subscription incorrectly. The box costs the equivalent of $40 a month or $36 if you pay in advance.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
