The demand for authenticity

Eric Jorgensen, a programmer at Microsoft,
has invented PixelWhimsy, a computer program that allows toddlers to
sit at a regular computer and bang away on the keys to create sounds
and colors and shapes, but without damaging the computer.

Asmin
Jalis, who also works at Microsoft and whose 2-year-old boy, Ibrahim,
has been using PixelWhimsy, said his son liked it better than his toy
computer. “We have a toy laptop for him, and he knows it’s a fake,” he
said.

Or more generally:

Cellphones, laptops, digital cameras and MP3 music players are among the hottest gift items this year. For preschoolers.  Toy makers and retailers are filling shelves with new tech devices for
children ages 3 and up, and sometimes even down. They say they are
catering to junior consumers who want to emulate their parents and are
not satisfied with fake gadgets.

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