In anticipation of the busy holiday season and to better support kids’ and families’ on-the-go viewing habits, Amazon has introduced a new offline video mode for its subscription kids service FreeTime Unlimited. The e-commerce giant has also added a raft of new content to the platform.
Starting this week, the service’s new offline mode for video downloads will roll out as a free over-the-air software update for Fire tablets, including Amazon’s Fire Kids Edition tablets. Videos can be downloaded by long-pressing the platform’s video tile. The offline mode automatically kicks in when the tablet is disconnected from Wi-Fi or put into airplane mode showing only downloaded content. The complete FreeTime Unlimited library appears once a Wi-Fi connection is re-established.
As for new video content, Amazon has added the first seasons of Amazon Studios originals If You Give A Mouse A Cookie (pictured) and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and Mattel’s WellieWishers. Second seasons of Team Umizoomi, Wishenpoof! (including special “A Wish World Christmas”), The Stinky & Dirty Show (including a special holiday episode) and Bubble Guppies have also been licensed, along with Charlie Brown: Mayflower Voyagers and Click Clack Moo: Christmas at the Farm, which will launch on November 28.
New books heading to FreeTime include Marley: Snow Dog Marley, Biscuit’s Hanukkah, Sarah, Plain and Tall, The Hobbit, The Little Prince, Ella Enchanted, Curious George in the Snow, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses and Red: A Crayon’s Story.
Rounding out the content, Angry Birds Space, Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom, Shopkins Run!, My Boo, Dr. Panda Farm, Teach Your Monster to Read, Mini Robot Party, Toca Hair Salon 3, Mousebot and Beach Buggy Racing will join the service’s apps and games category.
The additions follow the launch of Amazon’s new Parent Dashboard and Discussion Cards for tracking online activity and encouraging deeper conversations about how kids are using the service.