Basic Usage
The large button on the left side of the device is the primary way to use the device. Use it like a walkie-talkie: press and hold the button while speaking, then release to hear the response. By default, Poppy responds intelligently to requests from the user in a natural and flexible way.
For example, to adjust the volume, you can say things like:
- “Turn the volume [up / down]”
- “Set the volume to 50%”
- “Can you speak louder?”
At any time, you can quickly push and release the button to interrupt the reply, or cancel your last request.
When the device is idle, you can tap the button to play any unheard messages.
The Light Bar
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Pulsing Yellow | You have one or more unheard messages |
| Green | The device is recording audio |
| Pulsing Blue | The device is thinking |
| Blue | A reply is being played |
| White | Indicates battery level and charging status |
| Blinking red | The battery is low and needs to be charged |
| Red | The device is having trouble communicating with our servers |
You can adjust the brightness of the light bar simply by asking.
Charging Status
When the device is plugged in to charge, the light bar will briefly display the battery level as a white bar growing from the left to right. If the rightmost part of the bar is blinking, the device is actively charging.
The battery level will also be displayed briefly when the device is unplugged from power.
Messaging and Contacts
Messages can only be sent to and received from contacts you approve. Visit your account settings to invite additional contacts.
To send a message to a contact, say something like:
- “Record a message for Grandma”
- “Send a message to Daddy”
To listen to a new message (indicated by the light bar pulsing yellow), quickly press and release the button or ask to play the new message.
To replay a message, you can say something like “Play my message from Grandma again”.
Note that only the most recent message per contact can be replayed.
Talking to Poppy
By default, Poppy responds intelligently to requests. We have designed Poppy to respond with age-appropriate responses while also encouraging the child to speak to their parents if they are asking about sensitive topics. This allows your child to explore the limits of their imagination in a safe way.
Here are just a few examples you might like to try:
- “What’s the weather going to be like tomorrow?”
- “Is it going to rain tomorrow?”
- “Should I bring my snowpants to school tomorrow?”
- “How do I say ‘Do you want to make a snowman?’ in French?”
- “Count to 10 in Japanese”
- “Can you explain how airplanes fly?”
- “How long would it take to drive to the moon?”
- “When is the right time to plant tomatoes?”
- “Tell me a story about …”
- “Let’s make a poem about …”
- “Help me come up with song lyrics about …”
- “Tell me a spooky story”
- “Tell me a riddle about …”
Quiet Time and Night Light
Quiet Time can be configured via the settings page. Quiet Time pauses message notifications during the specified window (for example, bed time to morning time).
Optionally, during quiet time, the Nightlight feature can be used to emit a soft, warm glow. In addition to serving as a nightlight, this can be used as a signal for younger children that it’s time to wake up (since the nightlight will turn off at the end of the quiet time window).
WiFi Networks
You can add additional WiFi networks via the settings page. This is particularly useful if you want your child’s device to function at another location (for example a grandparent’s house or a friend’s house) or via your phone’s hotspot while you’re on-the-go with the device. Note that you must add the additional WiFi networks while the device is already connected to the internet.
Charging
We recommend charging the device only in the provided dock with the provided USB-C charger. A full charge lasts over 24 hours. When the device is first plugged in the light bar will indicate the charging status for a few seconds.
Reset Button
There is a pinhole reset button at the bottom of the device near the charging port.
- Briefly depress the button inside the pinhole to reset the device.
- Depress and hold until a white light appears, then release, to put the device into low-power sleep mode. The device stays in low-power sleep mode until the reset button is tapped again.
- Hold longer and release when a red light appears to factory reset the device.