Selfie Mic
Record music videos with yourself or friends. Easy to use, but the app may need more time to earn tokens than users initially thought.
<p><strong>Toy Description</strong></p>
<p>A microphone attached to a selfie-stick is used to record karaoke style videos on a smartphone. An included earpiece connects to the microphone.</p>
<p>Any headphones can be used with the mic if the included earpiece does not suffice.</p>
<p><strong>Play</strong></p>
<p>Videos can be edited and shared via text, email, and on social media. Parents can set restrictions to keep videos from being shared online.</p>
<p>Videos can be made just by using the forward facing camera on the smartphone, but StarMaker will need to be downloaded and a free account registered in order to save, edit, and share videos within the app.</p>
<p><strong>Observations</strong></p>
<p>Most kids have this toy up and running straight out of the box. It can be used to record videos directly to the phone, but videos with edited effects will need the StarMaker app. A free account must be registered to download extra songs, spend tokens, and save and share videos through the app.</p>
<p>StarMaker works on a token system. Many, but not all of the songs are free, with some costing anywhere from 25 to 250 tokens a pop. Tokens are collected in several ways during the use of the app. 5 tokens are given for completing a song, and additional tokens are given when a song is performed well according to the app’s scoring system. Think RockBand in app form. The closer the user can match the words and pitch, the higher the score will be.</p>
<p>This token system has been the one big point of contention for this toy. The toy is advertised as being free to use, and yes, technically this is true. However, children who want to download particular songs may need to earn more tokens before they are able to do so. We understand how this is frustrating, and wish the product was more up front about this process.</p>
<p>Registering a free account with StarMaker gains the user with 300 tokens. Another 700 tokens can be gotten by redeeming the product coupon code, included in the toy’s packaging. Additional tokens can be purchased if these are not enough.</p>
<p>“Hooks” can be accessed for free on most songs, but are usually only the chorus, or the most memorable part of the song. These hooks last around 30 – 45 seconds.</p>
<p>Videos can be shared on YouTube and other social media, as well as sent via text and email. StarMaker also acts as a kind of karaoke community, and videos can be shared with other users, too. Accounts are all automatically started out as private, so any video sharing will requires the account be changed to public settings.</p>
<p>Children only need be 13 or older to share videos through the app, so the app’s privacy policy states that it is not meant for children under 13. The toy can be used without the app, though we imagine most kids are expecting the app to be available to them. Please talk about privacy and safety with children. </p>
<p>The Selfie Mic website has <a href="https://selfiemic.com/faq/" linktype="3" target="_blank">more FAQ’s available</a>, some of which were not covered here.</p>
<p>Overall, this is a nice toy for teens who are into this kind of thing.</p>
<p><strong>Care</strong></p>
<p>Wipe with damp cloth.</p>
<p><strong>Parts and Pieces</strong></p>
<p>Any headphones can be used with this, though there is an earpiece included.</p>
<p>The Selfie Mic comes in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SELFIE-MIC-Music-Set-Black/dp/B01CPF22VW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01CPF22VW&pd_rd_r=RKD6NVMEVCK54J8EW30A&pd_rd_w=l2Apn&pd_rd_wg=JOVft&psc=1&refRID=RKD6NVMEVCK54J8EW30A&linkCode=ll1&tag=toti08-20&linkId=46faded7d6a1e710e85e75a26b3f80e9" linktype="3" target="_blank">Black</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SELFIE-MIC-577SEL-SelfieMic-Microphone/dp/B01F6YGAEY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=toti08-20&linkId=e18c05f09b7911eb6fe7838f2d1d1f7b" linktype="3" target="_blank">Pink</a></p>
<p><strong>Concerns</strong></p>
<p>We encourage parents to be aware of children’s activities online, especially when sharing videos, pictures, or other personal information.</p>
<p> </p>
Written by: The Guide For Toys
Selfie Mic
Date published: 2016-11-14
7.50 / 10 stars
Detailed ReviewToy Description
A microphone attached to a selfie-stick is used to record karaoke style videos on a smartphone. An included earpiece connects to the microphone.
Any headphones can be used with the mic if the included earpiece does not suffice.
Play
Videos can be edited and shared via text, email, and on social media. Parents can set restrictions to keep videos from being shared online.
Videos can be made just by using the forward facing camera on the smartphone, but StarMaker will need to be downloaded and a free account registered in order to save, edit, and share videos within the app.
Observations
Most kids have this toy up and running straight out of the box. It can be used to record videos directly to the phone, but videos with edited effects will need the StarMaker app. A free account must be registered to download extra songs, spend tokens, and save and share videos through the app.
StarMaker works on a token system. Many, but not all of the songs are free, with some costing anywhere from 25 to 250 tokens a pop. Tokens are collected in several ways during the use of the app. 5 tokens are given for completing a song, and additional tokens are given when a song is performed well according to the app’s scoring system. Think RockBand in app form. The closer the user can match the words and pitch, the higher the score will be.
This token system has been the one big point of contention for this toy. The toy is advertised as being free to use, and yes, technically this is true. However, children who want to download particular songs may need to earn more tokens before they are able to do so. We understand how this is frustrating, and wish the product was more up front about this process.
Registering a free account with StarMaker gains the user with 300 tokens. Another 700 tokens can be gotten by redeeming the product coupon code, included in the toy’s packaging. Additional tokens can be purchased if these are not enough.
“Hooks” can be accessed for free on most songs, but are usually only the chorus, or the most memorable part of the song. These hooks last around 30 – 45 seconds.
Videos can be shared on YouTube and other social media, as well as sent via text and email. StarMaker also acts as a kind of karaoke community, and videos can be shared with other users, too. Accounts are all automatically started out as private, so any video sharing will requires the account be changed to public settings.
Children only need be 13 or older to share videos through the app, so the app’s privacy policy states that it is not meant for children under 13. The toy can be used without the app, though we imagine most kids are expecting the app to be available to them. Please talk about privacy and safety with children.
The Selfie Mic website has more FAQ’s available, some of which were not covered here.
Overall, this is a nice toy for teens who are into this kind of thing.
Care
Wipe with damp cloth.
Parts and Pieces
Any headphones can be used with this, though there is an earpiece included.
The Selfie Mic comes in Black or Pink
Concerns
We encourage parents to be aware of children’s activities online, especially when sharing videos, pictures, or other personal information.