Easybits
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Parenting, E-learning |
| Products | Magic Desktop |
| Services | Educational software |
| Website | www |
Easybits AS is a Norwegian privately held educational software company. Its principal product is Magic Desktop, an educational and parental control software suite.[1][2] Easybits is known for its partnership with Skype for powering Skype's games channel[3] and Intel for building the first version of Classmate PC.[4]
History
The company initially announced a line of parental control software in 2003.[5] Its goal was to offer a safe and educational environment for children. The company’s principal product Magic Desktop won European Union’s benchmarking study of tools for parental control award in 2006 and 2007 for children.[6][7] Deloitte described the product as "very well suited for children because it offers a safe and educational environment”.[1] Easybits landed distribution and licensing deals with the internet service providers in Europe including Tiscali, T-Online, Telenor, Telekom Italia, Belgacom, UPC, TalkTalk and a few others.[8][9]
In 2004, Easybits Software partnered with Telenor to introduce e-mail solutions for children and powered Skype's games channel in 2006.[10] The partnership with Intel reached further, when Easybits developed the first version of Intel's Classmate PC Inspirus platform, where Magic Desktop was used as “simplified Windows-based interface”. In 2009, Disney and Asus teamed up to work on a new product Disney Netpal,[11] they asked EasyBits to ascertain what makes the User Interface differentiation and provide parental controls.[12][13] In 2010 Channel Five launched Magic Desktop for pre-school brand Milkshake that lets children watch TV and play games.[14]
As an operating system for Windows-based PCs and parental control software, Magic Desktop has been pre-installed on HP computers since 2005 up to present time.[15][16]
In 2016 Intel included Magic Desktop into its VIP App Pack.[17]
Products and Services
Easybits currently addresses its product to three different audiences: parenting, education and entertainment. Some of the major applications are Magic Desktop, Inspirus platform, GameXN GO and others.
References
- ^ a b Jorn Madslien (11 February 2008). "Children who use the internet face a slew of dangers, ranging from sex and drugs spam to cyber bullies and paedophiles". BBC News. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "UPC's Magic Desktop for Kids Acclaimed". Webwise. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. "EasyBits releases removal tool for afflicted Skype users". Zdnet. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Intel's Classmate comes to the UK". BBC News. 14 January 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ Jorn Madslien (7 October 2004). "New software lets toddlers e-mail and surf". BBC News. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "CR Update 8" (PDF).
- ^ "EU eyes safer cyberspace for young". BBC. 2008-02-11. Retrieved 2016-03-12.
- ^ "Belgacom and EasyBits Software to Introduce Secure, Educating Children Software in Belgium". PRNewswire. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "TalkTalk Brings Magic to Kids' Desktops". TalkTalk. 28 October 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Telenor and Easybits Software to introduce e-mail solution for children". Telenor. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "disney netpal". Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ John Biggs (16 June 2009). "ASUS inexplicably releases a Disney netbook". TechCrunch. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ Paul Miller (22 June 2009). "Disney Netpal hands-on (with video!)". Engadget. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Five launches desktop app for pre-school kids". Econsultancy. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "HP Pavilion Media Center t3625.uk PC" (PDF).
- ^ "Desktops para el hogar Todo en Uno HP Pavilion". Hewlett-Packard. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "VIP App Pack 1H 2016". Intel Corporation. Retrieved 11 March 2016.