Top pop stars including Olivia Dean are turning to Yoto smart speaker cards as a new format for releasing music, giving children something tangible to unwrap at Christmas.
The days of CD-shaped parcels under the tree may be over for many, but a growing number of music fans miss having something physical to open. Vinyl remains an option, yet it is expensive, fragile and time consuming, leaving younger listeners who are just discovering pop music with few choices. Yoto, a smart speaker designed for children, has emerged as the answer.
Yoto expands from audiobooks to music
Yoto is built for children to safely listen to audiobooks, music, podcasts, radio stations and sleep sounds, without access to cameras, microphones or advertisements. Historically, it has been used for story time, with audiobooks ranging from Roald Dahl to Harry Potter.
Record labels have now recognised the potential Yoto offers music fans and have released an increasing number of cards from the world's greatest artists. Current bestsellers include K-Pop Demon Hunters, the No1 title, alongside Spice Girls, ABBA, Queen, The Beatles and Bowie.
Contemporary albums join the catalogue
More notable are contemporary releases such as Olivia Dean's album The Art Of Loving and Sir Paul McCartney's recent No1 LP, The Boys Of Dungeon Lane. The format works simply: a card is slotted into the player and play is pressed, bringing back the gift of music.
Kids can now enjoy improved sound quality following Yoto's biggest ever hardware update to its audio players for children. The new Yoto Player 4th Gen and Yoto Mini 4th Gen include more storage, a faster processor and a redesigned look.
New features and the Green Button
New features include a Green Button, which gives children instant, cardless access to their favourite audio and personalised playlists from their library once an adult sets it up on the free app. Smoother routines help families build Yoto into morning and bedtime rhythms, and the hardware has been redesigned with a more robust Yoto Mini.
The Green Button lets children jump straight into up to 20 of their favourite audio titles for day and night. Once set up in the Yoto App, kids can twist, press and play their favourite titles without inserting a Yoto Card. Adults can create playlists on the app with favourite titles and free content from the library, making audio ready on the new players without a card to hand. The button can also be configured as a shortcut to digital-only cards and free bonus audio, from soundscapes to toothbrush timers.
As families' Yoto libraries grew, so did the need for a quicker way for children to find their favourites. Listening to community feedback, Yoto designed the update around making best-loved content easier for kids to access independently, wherever they are. Away from music, new titles include Gruffalo Granny and Bluey: The Beach and Other Stories, with new cards released every Thursday and a library of over 1,000 cards.
