MiiPC to Reveal First-glimpse of Family-friendly PC at IFA

BERLIN, September 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Hit Kickstarter project set out to fight Internet addictiveness in young adults by redefining family computing

MiiPC, the first family-friendly PC on Android, will be revealing their hotly anticipated device at this year's IFA. The MiiPC has been designed to address the challenge faced by parents who want their children to enjoy the internet in a safe environment and help guide them to a healthy online experience, without the worry of internet addiction.

MiiPC is redefining family computing and offers parents the chance to set online boundaries for each child, starting from as little as $129, it comes with a HDMI connection and three USB ports so it can be hooked up to computer monitors and most modern TVs providing a true keyboard and mouse experience. By allowing parents to monitor each child's activities through an iOS and Android Companion Mobile App, MiiPC provides a clear reporting mechanism for parents to lower the risk of distraction and help their children to focus on their homework, while giving rewards with access to more games through the MiiPC Web App Center depending on a child's needs.

With recent studies from Plos One showing Internet Addictive Disorder (IAD) causes the same changes to the brain as that of other kinds of addiction, such as alcohol and drugs, parents are suddenly finding themselves searching for a solution. With research questions including 'Do you feel nervous, temperamental, depressed, or sensitive when trying to reduce or quit Internet use' and 'Have you lied to your family members, therapist, or others to hide the truth of your involvement with the Internet', the study found half of their test subjects were confirmed to having Internet Addictive Disorder.

Young Song, Founder of MiiPC, explains: "With the ever present worry of our children becoming addicted to the internet, and kids today being so technologically sound as to get around any security features parents might put up, we wanted to give parents a fighting chance in tackling this growing problem. It's a scary thought when you discover your child is spending hours a day on a website you know nothing about, only to discover it has been in the news lately for it's bullying culture".

By creating a family computer which helps focus a child's attention to what is important, MiiPC is the perfect computer for parents and families. When used, MiiPC allows parents the option to set content and time allowance parameters for each member of the family individually via the remote parental control app. This can also be used to remotely shut off unsuitable content to safeguard their children or limit individual family member's time allowance for sites and apps such as social media in order to give them healthy parameters online in which to roam. Parents can additionally monitor each child's usage remotely, whether they're at work, the supermarket, or out at a restaurant, assuring their online experience is being used wisely.

Such is the parental demand for a child friendly computer system, MiiPC smashed its initial funding goal in less than 24 hours from its official launch on Kickstarter. The majority of MiiPCs early backers were parents who shared the safety concerns of MiiPCs creator, Young Song.

"It's clear that the internet has a lot to offer young people and they should be trusted to use it, but as a concerned parent myself I also understand the fear that many other parents share about their children being online." says Young, "With MiiPC, it provides flexible solution for parents to set boundaries for kids of different ages, with time and application management, multi-user interface and remote parental control features. The MiiPC provides a positive balance between control and enjoyment".

Key features of MiiPC

• Companion MiiPC Mobile App, available on Android and iOS, and the Parental Web portal from any browser allow parents to monitor and adjust their children's activities in real time, whether they're at home or out of the house
• MiiPC Web App Center consists of over 500 hand-picked web apps to choose from including games, education, photo, music, storage, media/news, etc.
• Multi-user accounts can be set-up for different family members, giving each different access to suitable apps and games.
• Available in 2 colors including; Glossy White and Jet Black
• MiiPC is a fully functioning computer that runs on only 8.5 - 10 watts - 10x less than the average computer, so environmentally friendly and cheaper to run

Full specifications

• MiiPC runs on Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
  
• Processor: Marvell's® award-winning  ARMADA® 1500 Family of Processors
• Storage: 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB eMMC Internal Flash and expandable via SD slot and USB port
• System RAM: 1GB/2GB DDR3 SDRAM
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Ethernet Port, and Bluetooth (4.0)
• Connect to TV: HDMI (1080p/720p) output 
• I/O: 3 USB 2.0 Ports, Speaker & Built-in Microphone
• Free MiiPC Companion Mobile App for iOS and Android

*Keyboard, mouse & HDMI cable are sold separately

You can pre-order MiiPC now at: http://www.miipc.com

Notes to Editor

Press ready screenshots, headshot and MiiPC logos are available here

About MiiPC http://www.miipc.com http://www.miipc.com/ http://www.miipc.com/

MiiPC has been created by a team of developers at ZeroDesktop, Inc, based in Silicon Valley.

ZeroDesktop, Inc. is a leading developer of next generation Cloud Operating System and Cloud Service Brokerage Solutions for Consumers, Telecoms, OEMs, ISVs and Enterprises. The ZeroDesktop Infrastructure aggregates scattered digital content from local storage, network drives and cloud services providing unified access by PCs, tablets and mobile devices.

This is ZeroDesktop's first product that combines hardware and software aimed at the consumer marketplace. ZeroDesktop is headquartered in San Mateo, CA and has employees worldwide with development centers in both Silicon Valley and Europe. Their technologies are licensed to leading Telcoms, OEMs and ISVs in Europe and Asia, which combine their software expertise in Cloud technologies along with their own personal understanding and experience of family struggles with the Internet led them to conceive of MiiPC.

Find MiiPC on Facebook and Twitter @MiiPC4kids. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w9dq1qkd9utpg1q/mPnu5Uld7H

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w9dq1qkd9utpg1q/mPnu5Uld7H