The Fisher Price 6-In-1 IXL Learning System may well be the most requested Christmas gift of the season. The iXL is a paperback book sized interactive computer for preschoolers.

Complete with its own touchscreen just like the iPad, the IXL Learning System comes with 6 preloaded applications that will let your kids draw, read, play games, learn letters and numbers, download photos, and listen to some tunes. It even has plenty of additional software that you can buy for added fun.

The base device comes in 3 colors - pink, silver and blue and is already pre-loaded with software for the various applications listed so there will be no disappointment on Christmas morning.

Included is a USB cable and software CD that is loaded with both PC management software and base software.

The handheld device has a 3.5" TFT QVGA color screen, built in speaker, action button, tethered stylus, headphone jack, SD memory card slot, and built-in memory to hold the base and additional software. It uses 4 AA batteries for operation (not included). The battery life is approximately 8 hours, although the system also goes into sleep mode when it is shut.

One really nice feature of the iXL is the ability for children to draw and color over uploaded photos via the photo viewer application. The story reader hastwo modes, story and free play. When using the story mode, you cannot use the screen or turn any of the pages.

In free play, however, you can flip pages and interact with the story and animations. There are several pre-loaded games including a cooking game and basketball game.. Interaction is the name of the game with the Fisher Price iXL. Reading a story becomes a learning experience with the read to me mode, and the highlighted words that can help with comprehension and spelling.

Some words can be pressed for further understanding. The child's login name appears in stories and makes the device really personal. . A Fisher Price 6-In-1 IXL Learning System

Fisher Price 6-In-1 IXL Learning System

You'll get the most from the Fisher-Price 6-In-1 IXL by loading the software onto your PC and attaching the device to your computer with the accompanying USB cable. Although with high-speed cable internet software may take up to 30 minutes to download, once you completed this you can transfer files to increase playing options, including additional software for purchase that will add new stories and games for your child to play. .

Navigating the software is simple and intuitive. You can create up to five profiles for the Fisher-Price, so this device can be enjoyed by the whole family. Add images or music files to the library and transfer them to the iXL.

The software also gives you access to other fun and free extras, such as printable activity sheets for your child or the whole family, craft and party ideas, and other activity suggestions categorized by age..