History Trivia / LeapFrog

* NotTheIntendedUse / PeripheryDemographic: Some of the toys, like the Didj and [=LeapPad=], are essentially embedded [[Platform/{{Unix}} Linux]] devices, making them an attractive target for hardware hackers. The [=LeapFrog=] Epic for instance is nothing more than an Platform/{{Android}} device running off an off-the-shelf [=MediaTek=] system-on-chip, and since the kernel sources are available upon request, anyone with at least some experience with Android development can turn it to a regular tablet with none of the [=LeapFrog=] bloatware installed, once they can work around the device's security.[[note]]Technobabble: The biggest hurdle at the moment is that the Epic's [[http://blog.lieberbiber.de/2015/07/04/mediatek-details-partitions-and-preloader/ preloader]] (read: bootloader) is restricted, preventing any chances of installing a kernel image other than the one that is Leapfrog-authorized, unless you manage to self-sign the ROM. Fastboot mode is also nerfed, ruling out "fastboot oem unlock" as used on several other devices.[[/note]]

** The bootloader restrictions were finally overcome in 2020 when members of the XDA-Developers forum released an unlocked preloader/LK binary and [[https://www.xda-developers.com/developers-port-lineageos-leapfrog-epic-tablet-for-children/ released an unofficial build of [=LineageOS=]]] to the Epic.

* NotTheIntendedUse / PeripheryDemographic: Some of the toys, like the Didj and [=LeapPad=], are essentially embedded [[Platform/{{Unix}} Linux]] devices, making them an attractive target for hardware hackers. The [=LeapFrog=] Epic for instance is nothing more than an UsefulNotes/{{Android}} device running off an off-the-shelf [=MediaTek=] system-on-chip, and since the kernel sources are available upon request, anyone with at least some experience with Android development can turn it to a regular tablet with none of the [=LeapFrog=] bloatware installed, once they can work around the device's security.[[note]]Technobabble: The biggest hurdle at the moment is that the Epic's [[http://blog.lieberbiber.de/2015/07/04/mediatek-details-partitions-and-preloader/ preloader]] (read: bootloader) is restricted, preventing any chances of installing a kernel image other than the one that is Leapfrog-authorized, unless you manage to self-sign the ROM. Fastboot mode is also nerfed, ruling out "fastboot oem unlock" as used on several other devices.[[/note]]

* NotTheIntendedUse / PeripheryDemographic: Some of the toys, like the Didj and [=LeapPad=], are essentially embedded [[Platform/{{Unix}} Linux]] devices, making them an attractive target for hardware hackers. The [=LeapFrog=] Epic for instance is nothing more than an Platform/{{Android}} device running off an off-the-shelf [=MediaTek=] system-on-chip, and since the kernel sources are available upon request, anyone with at least some experience with Android development can turn it to a regular tablet with none of the [=LeapFrog=] bloatware installed, once they can work around the device's security.[[note]]Technobabble: The biggest hurdle at the moment is that the Epic's [[http://blog.lieberbiber.de/2015/07/04/mediatek-details-partitions-and-preloader/ preloader]] (read: bootloader) is restricted, preventing any chances of installing a kernel image other than the one that is Leapfrog-authorized, unless you manage to self-sign the ROM. Fastboot mode is also nerfed, ruling out "fastboot oem unlock" as used on several other devices.[[/note]]

* NotTheIntendedUse / PeripheryDemographic: Some of the toys, like the Didj and [=LeapPad=], are essentially embedded [[UsefulNotes/{{Unix}} Linux]] devices, making them an attractive target for hardware hackers. The [=LeapFrog=] Epic for instance is nothing more than an UsefulNotes/{{Android}} device running off an off-the-shelf [=MediaTek=] system-on-chip, and since the kernel sources are available upon request, anyone with at least some experience with Android development can turn it to a regular tablet with none of the [=LeapFrog=] bloatware installed, once they can work around the device's security.[[note]]Technobabble: The biggest hurdle at the moment is that the Epic's [[http://blog.lieberbiber.de/2015/07/04/mediatek-details-partitions-and-preloader/ preloader]] (read: bootloader) is restricted, preventing any chances of installing a kernel image other than the one that is Leapfrog-authorized, unless you manage to self-sign the ROM. Fastboot mode is also nerfed, ruling out "fastboot oem unlock" as used on several other devices.[[/note]]

** [=LeapFrog=] Academy. Which is initially only available to the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. The good news is, subscribers from other countries are now welcome as of December 2018. The bad news is, for people outside the six countries, the only payment option for the rest of the world is [=PayPal=] as opposed to direct credit card subscription available in the six regions (which isn't so bad since [=PayPal=] is available worldwide), but also the app for [=iOS=], Android and Kindle itself is still not available worldwide, leaving your only options of accessing the service to either using a compatible web browser on a Mac, Linux or Windows PC, or using a Leapfrog Epic device (who will automatically download a neutered version of the Android app[[note]]The version released on the Epic does not support Google Cloud Print and thus could not print offline activity pages[[/note]] if you subscribe on the same account as the one you used for registering your Epic). We should point out that manufacture of the first generation Epic has been discontinued two years ago due to the release of the Academy Edition, which itself is not sold outside of the aforementioned six countries [[note]]and forget about importing- it incorporates an anti-theft technology which requires you to call a number which is available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but not elsewhere, which of course acts as a frighteningly effective UsefulNotes/RegionCoding mechanism as few people would want to make an expensive IDD call to unlock their device[[/note]]- if you live outside the six countries and want to use Leapfrog Academy without being bolted down to your PC, well, hope you didn't sell off your old Epic and that it's still in working order. And even then you will still need to return to your PC to print the offline activity pages.

** The bootloader restrictions were finally overcome in 2020 when members of the XDA-Developers forum released an unlocked preloader/LK binary and [[https://www.xda-developers.com/developers-port-lineageos-leapfrog-epic-tablet-for-children/ released an unofficial build of [=LineageOS=]]] to the Epic.

* TheOtherDarrin: Most of the core characters have at least changed voice actors once. Heck, Even Scout and Violet aren't voiced by Charlie Ibsen where the [=DVDs=] are concerned. The Read With Me Violet toy is also voiced by a proper girl and not by Charlie Ibsen.

** The bootloader restrictions were finally overcome in 2020 when members of the XDA-Developers forum released an unlocked preloader/LK binary and [[https://www.xda-developers.com/developers-port-lineageos-leapfrog-epic-tablet-for-children/ released an unofficial build of [=LineageOS=]]] to the Epic.
* TheOtherDarrin: Due to Tony Pope's passing in 2004, Phil Proctor voiced Professor Quigley in "Math Circus" and "Code Word Caper". Then Doug Byrd took over from "Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory" to "A Tad of Christmas Cheer"

** The bootloader restrictions were finally overcome in 2020 when members of the XDA-Developers forum released an unlocked preloader/LK binary and [[https://www.xda-developers.com/developers-port-lineageos-leapfrog-epic-tablet-for-children/ released an unofficial build of [=LineageOS=]]] to the Epic.

* NamesTheSame: Egregiously, both Franchise/LeapFrog and VideoGame/JumpStart has a firefly named Edison and a cat named Casey in their character roster.
** Likewise, Lily shares her name with another frog, this time from WesternAnimation/TootAndPuddle ([[SpellMyNameWithAnS and spelt "Lilly" proper]]).

** Leapfrog Academy. Which is initially only available to the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand or Canada. The good news is, subscribers from other countries are now welcome as of December 2018. The bad news is, for people outside the six countries, the only payment option for the rest of the world is [=PayPal=] as opposed to direct credit card subscription available in the six regions (which isn't so bad since [=PayPal=] is available worldwide), but also the app for [=iOS=], Android and Kindle itself is still not available worldwide, leaving your only options of accessing the service to either using a compatible web browser on a Mac, Linux or Windows PC, or using a Leapfrog Epic device (who will automatically download a neutered version of the Android app[[note]]The version released on the Epic does not support Google Cloud Print and thus could not print offline activity pages[[/note]] if you subscribe on the same account as the one you used for registering your Epic). We should point out that manufacture of the first generation Epic has been discontinued two years ago due to the release of the Academy Edition, which itself is not sold outside of the aforementioned six countries [[note]]and forget about importing- it incorporates an anti-theft technology which requires you to call a number which is available in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but not elsewhere, which of course acts as a frighteningly effective UsefulNotes/RegionCoding mechanism as few people would want to make an expensive IDD call to unlock their device[[/note]]- if you live outside the six countries and want to use Leapfrog Academy without being bolted down to your PC, well, hope you didn't sell off your old Epic and that it's still in working order. And even then you will still need to return to your PC to print the offline activity pages.

* NotTheIntendedUse / Periphery Demographic: Some of the toys, like the Didj and [=LeapPad=], are essentially embedded [[UsefulNotes/{{Unix}} Linux]] devices, making them an attractive target for hardware hackers. The [=LeapFrog=] Epic for instance is nothing more than an UsefulNotes/{{Android}} device running off an off-the-shelf [=MediaTek=] system-on-chip, and since the kernel sources are available upon request, anyone with at least some experience with Android development can turn it to a regular tablet with none of the [=LeapFrog=] bloatware installed, once they can work around the device's security.[[note]]Technobabble: The biggest hurdle at the moment is that the Epic's [[http://blog.lieberbiber.de/2015/07/04/mediatek-details-partitions-and-preloader/ preloader]] (read: bootloader) is restricted, preventing any chances of installing a kernel image other than the one that is Leapfrog-authorized, unless you manage to self-sign the ROM. Fastboot mode is also nerfed, ruling out "fastboot oem unlock" as used on several other devices.[[/note]]

** It is however possible to just make do with the included ROM and use hacks like Xposed along with modified configuration files to achieve a similar result though, as shown in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1leOobI2csY video]].