So Many Entertainment Options

Gaming Starts After Schoolwork and Chores are Complete

Daily Entertainment Mode Enable - Conveniently prevents preset entertainment use (i.e. gaming, social media) until the parent specifically (and conveniently) enables use for that day. Parents can check homework, study reports, chores or other responsibilities have been completed before allowing gaming, video watching and social media for that day. Once schoolwork, chores and other responsibilities are complete then many entertainment options are available. These include:

Standard Entertainment Modes

Entertainment Desktop - Desktop with all the same applications provided in the Study Mode Desktop with the addition of the Media Player App that can play videos, movies and music that has been downloaded. This mode also allows playing undemanding browser based games (HTML5), watching videos (i.e. YouTube) and access to popular Social Media sites (based on user age and parental preferences) in the Chromium browser. The time limit for daily social media time can be set independently of total entertainment time.

Media Player - Similar to a streaming device, this mode provides high definition (720p) full-screen media player optimized for media entertainment sites like Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Twitch.TV and others. Parents have direct control of which major subscription services are available to each user.

Web Arcade Gaming - Provides access to hundreds of browser based games including many popular retro games to be played for free. Parental Control settings limit access by age.

Amazon Luna Cloud Gaming - Launches Amazon Luna Cloud Gaming in either standard definition (SD) or high definition (720p HD). This mode requires either a Amazon Prime membership or Amazon Luna Subscription). Game Controllers (Amazon, XBOX, PlayStation) are required for many games.

Advanced Entertainment Video Gaming Modes

PC Remote Play Gaming - Play Windows, XBOX and Steam games through the LaunchPad™ from a Windows gaming PC connected to the same network.

PS Remote Play Gaming - Play PlayStation PS4/PS5 games through the LaunchPad™ from a Sony PlayStation® 4 or 5 console connected to the same network. PlayStation Game Controller required for game play.

Other Entertainment Modes

Gaming Timer - Provides a convenience use timer matching the limit settings for Entertainment Mode with status shown on the front panel LCD screen. This can be used so a user can “check out” an alternate device (i.e. Nintendo Switch, iPad, smartphone) after logging in and then return it immediately upon logout. Upon login and logout, email notifications are sent to the Account Owner (parent) and logged. This mode consumes Entertainment Mode time just like any other Entertainment mode and GamePlay+ extensions can be requested during the last 2 minutes of available time. The computer display is blanked to save power and allow automated video switching (KVM) to the alternate device. If parents have full access to parental controls for the alternate device, they can enable and disable the alternate device using the device’s parental controls upon receipt of notification.

Supporting Features

Front Panel LCD continuously displays current time and remaining time for current login. Screen flashing on both LCD and main display provide warnings at 10min 5 minutes and 2 minutes.
Entertainment Mode Login Maximum allows setting limits on any single login so that the user is required to take a screen break before returning to play.
Screen Breaks allow the user to take a break without requiring a log out to save allowed time. This can be used for convenience and parents can set a specific amount of allowed entertainment time before being forced to take a break (configurable).

"just a few more minutes!!"

GamePlay+ extends game play time upon the user's request automatically without requiring parental intervention (i.e. pesky emails) and without the disruption of the game in progress. The number of allowed extensions and the duration of each extension is set in advance. During the last 2 minutes of allowed time, the user presses the front panel button to request the extension. If allowed, the time extends. Once the game has ended, the user will be less likely to start a new game knowing that there will not be enough time. This reduces angry outbursts and potential violence resulting from abrupt, disrupted play. Happy gamers equals happy parents.