Neo is Vodafone’s new smart watch for kids, with built-in Disney sidekicks

Don’t fancy strapping a 270-quid Apple Watch SE on to your kid’s wrist? Then you might find Neo (£99 + £7 per month, available now) a more palatable option. From the combined brains of Vodafone and Disney, this wearable is designed to appeal to nippers, with its chunky form, immediacy and built-in Disney characters. Kids can switch between sidekicks, including Minnie Mouse, Darth Vader, Buzz Lightyear and The Child, each kicking off a full theme takeover. It’s practical too. There’s voice/video calling, messaging, an activity log to encourage fitness, calendar and weather apps to help your kid get organised (and avoid a soaking) and a forward-facing camera for shooting snaps of chums being daft. Think that’s too much fun? Vodafone’s Smart App lets grumpy spoilsport parents interfere by approving trusted contacts, managing screen time and spying on where their pride and joy happens to be at.

Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.