NEW YORK, March 30 ― Advertised as “the world's smallest and coolest GPS watch designed for young kids,” hereO is a real-time connected GPS tracking device. Made for kiddies three years old and up, the watches are brightly coloured, and several feature fun designs, such as hair bows and googly-like eyes.

The Fort Lee, New Jersey-based company is about US$16,000 (RM52, 000) short of its US$100,000 goal on Indiegogo, with 21 days left. The companion app allows parents to know where their children are at any given interval, while the watch includes a built-in SIM card, which automatically connects to a local carrier in over 140 countries sans roaming fees.

App features include “place notification,” which alerts parents when their children  “enter or leave frequently-visited places” such as home and school; “panic alert,” which sends child-location alerts to all family members using the app; and  “tamper alert,” which lets parents know if the watch is removed. The companion app provides directions to the child’s current location, as well as a history of locations the child has visited.

Additionally, the hereO Family App syncs with all other family members using the hereO app, meaning users can know exactly where all family members are, all the time. Family members may also receive directions from each other, make calls and more.

The app is currently undergoing beta testing and is slated for release for the iPhone on April 14. It will be Android and HTML5-ready by June 14.

HereO is the first complete end-to-end family location sharing service featuring a dedicated device for kids. An “early bird” special is currently available that offers the watch and app for US$99 with delivery in July 2014. Retail price is US$149, and the product is expected in stores by September 2014.

The early bird special includes a 6-month app subscription, after which the subscription is US$5 per month. Retail includes a three-month subscription, which again is US$5 per month following the initial deal. ― AFP-Relaxnews