Disney XD Offers Social Pages to Preteens

By Geoff Duncan May 2, 2007

Disney XD Offers Social Pages to Preteens

Disney has unveiled a new feature for its recently launched (and still beta) Disney Xtreme Digital (a.k.a. Disney XD) service, tapping into the ever-popular social networking buzz by enabling preteens to create their own Web pages. Disney XD is aimed at broadband-enabled preteens and kids aged 14 and under; unlike famously freewheeling sites like MySpace, parents can have control over childrens’ online activities on the site, and the company hopes to keep kids’ Disney XD pages clean by limiting kids to using Disney-supplied content on their pages.

Disney unveiled the new home page feature at a New York City event featuring current teen heartthrob Corbin Bleu, star of the popular Disney properties High School Musical and Jump In. The site also features Bleu-themed games, and Bleu’s new Disney album debuted on Disney XD.

The new home page feature enables kids to pull together media, music, videos, and games from within the Disney XD site and assemble them into a custom page, which they can also dress up with Disney-supplied graphics and character elements.

Since its launch earlier this year, Disney XD has been ramping up its interactive offerings. Members are encouraged to play games, view video, and participate in interactive elements which earn members points; these points can be used to purchase items for use on the site, including animated contraptions and "stickers" for use on kids’ personal home pages.

As part of the company’s efforts to keep the site safe for children—and prevent kids from revealing personal information or using profanity—an interactive chat feature was limited to trading pre-written messages and phrase. Now, with parental approval, kids can go beyond the stock messages and use chat features interactively.

Disney XD has been criticized for its heavy promotion of Disney properties and marketing messages: within the Disney XD site, it’s almost impossible to separate site functionality and features from Disney branding and marketing messages. In launching the new home page feature, Disney executive VP and managing director of Disney Online told Reuters in an interview: "I want tons of kids immersed in my brands and franchises. What better marketer do I have than a kid?"

Editors' Recommendations

Amazon partners with Disney on a ‘magical voice assistant’

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Deals

Get 50% off these incredible scent diffusers to luxuriate your living space

Hotel Collection scent diffuser with unique oils on sale

An excellent and convenient way to fill your home with luxurious, aromatic scents is to employ a diffuser, an electronic device that turns perfume-like oils into mist and disperses it into the surrounding air, in this case, the air in your living space or home. Hotel Collection is our favorite place to shop for new diffusers, supplies like oils, and other notable accessories. And wouldn't you know it? Right now, they're offering 50% off large diffusers when you use code JUSTFORYOU50 at checkout. That remarkable deal allows you to save half of the biggest diffusers from Hotel Collection, like the Penthouse or the Presidential models. They offer coverage for areas from 1,200 square feet up to 6,000 square feet, which means your entire home will smell splendid. Act soon because the deal will be over before you know it.
Shop Now

Why you should buy a Hotel Collection scent diffuser for your home
You deserve a true sanctuary to come home to. Not just one that is clean and inviting but also smells divine, like the scent of homecooked baking, fresh linens, or . You know, the kind of encapsulating scents befitting of an elegant hotel -- only within the comfort of your home. That's precisely what Hotel Collection diffusers and scents can bring into your livable spaces.

Starting with the diffusers that make it all happen, there are a variety of options, from small, like the Studio Pro Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 600 square feet, to extra-large, like the Double Presidential Scent Diffuser, which covers up to 6,00 square feet. Whatever the size of your home, property, or living space, from condos to mansions, Hotel Collection has you covered.

Smart Home

How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras

The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

One of the most compelling features of Tapo products (like the Wire-Free 2K Outdoor Cam and Indoor/Outdoor Cam) is support for local storage. Many Tapo security cameras let you install a microSD card, so you don't have to rely on cloud storage to save all your videos – instead, they're neatly stored right on your camera. Before you can start using local storage, however, you'll need to format your microSD card. Tapo has some pretty strict requirements for how this works, but the process itself is remarkably simple.

Ready to start saving all your video clips locally? Here's how to format the microSD card on your Tapo security camera.

Smart Home

Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best security camera?

The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro on display the 2023 Amazon Fall Devices and Services event.

The Blink Mini 2 is one of the cheapest security cameras you can buy. It's pretty well-rounded too. It's capable of filming in HD and offering support for outdoor use when paired with an optional accessory, making it a great choice for shoppers on a budget. That makes it wildly different from the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro, which carries a hefty price tag and supports both indoor and outdoor use right out of the box without the need to purchase a secondary accessory.

But is the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro a better investment than the affordable Blink Mini 2? From pricing and video resolution to the installation process and additional features, here's a look at the Blink Mini 2 and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to help you decide which is the best choice for your home.
Pricing and monthly fees