The Babbit is an innovative speaker that’s not quite ready for prime time
Alex Hazlett / Mashable
What does it mean for a device to be family-friendly? Depending on the product, that can mean parental controls, limited content, or even extra features so the same device can be used by family members across ages.
The Babbit(opens in a new tab) — a new wireless speaker now available in North America — falls into the final category. It has an extra control feature aimed at young kids, which lets them play music without interacting with a mobile device. Concerns around screen time can be poorly-defined, but it’s fair to say that pre-reading kids will have trouble navigating Spotify. While the Babbit doesn’t fully live up to its promises, it’s a device that is often delightful, with solid sound quality and a hipster minimalist vibe.