New children's iPhone app is here to play

Swedish furniture brand, Ikea has released an innovative iPhone app that aims to "get parents and children to play actively together."

Called Lekar (Swedish for "games"), the application combines games from all over the world - a selection that resulted from Ikea's Playreport, which explores "play and its effects on family life" - customized for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Options include Musical Chairs, for which the app provides the music and stopping intervals, Charade, which suggests topics by showing digital images, or Bird, Fish, or In-Between, which involves the iPhone being hidden and looked for by the children.

A demonstration of Lekar can be watched here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MykyfUiGPH4.

Joining other children's apps on iTunes, such as ABC Animals or TeachMe, Lekar was launched July 7. Get it for free at http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/lekar/id377701270?mt=8.