A pinwheel clock doesn’t scream “This is a children’s device.” The new smartwatch unveiled by Pepcom during CES 2025 doesn’t have a chunky, brightly colored case or a very thick bezel. It’s actually quite sleek, with a slightly larger Apple Watch-like build, a small camera bump, and a variety of styles of interchangeable straps. When tech-savvy kids start pestering their parents for smartwatches, it’s easy to pass them off as similar to wearable devices for adults. However, it also includes safety features to provide a level of connectivity that parents feel comfortable with. Of course, there are also AI chatbots.
Pinwheel already has a smartphone platform that allows for parent-approved communications, but the watch is a standalone 4G LTE cellular device with its own mobile plan (about $15, according to the company) and the ability to make calls, text, and talk. Try Line or video chat. Parents can decide what level of intervention they feel is appropriate for their child and change these settings in the Pinwheel app as they see fit.
For younger children, you can require all contacts to be approved, while a 14-year-old can be given the freedom to add any friends they want without requiring approval. Parents can remotely monitor text and call history and turn off certain features, such as sending images, for contacts individually. It also offers GPS location tracking so parents can keep track of their children’s location.
Aside from basic communication, there are many other features for fun. There are built-in games like a helicopter game where you tap the screen at the right time to collect gems and keep them in the air, and a kid-friendly version of ChatGPT called PinwheelGPT. The company says it has tested against all common workarounds used to trick chatbots into doing things they shouldn’t, so they won’t produce inappropriate responses when prompted. And parents can view these chats, including deleted chats. “You can ask anything, but there’s no answer,” said Pinwheel co-founder Dane Witbeck. “It’s quick to back away and say, ‘Hey, that’s something you need to talk to a trusted adult about.'” However, I wasn’t able to actually test it out due to the terrible hotel casino Wi-Fi in the crowded venue.
The pinwheel watch will be available later this year for $160 (including monthly cell phone subscription). It’s rated IP67, so it should be pretty resistant to spills, dust, and other things children get dirty. For parents interested in a safer way for their children to use smart devices to communicate with friends and family, Pinwheel’s watch could be a pretty good option. This is especially true for kids in the youth space who don’t want wearables that seem extremely restrictive and immature. .
