While some parents choose to gift their children an Apple Watch, the Pinwheel Watch presents an appealing alternative. Priced at $160, this cellular smartwatch integrates robust parental controls along with a user-friendly AI chatbot designed for kids.
In contrast to the original, the Pinwheel smartwatch features a camera, with the company assuring that video calling will be available later this year…
Engadget notes that unlike various kid-oriented smartwatches, this model doesn’t resemble a toy.
The Pinwheel Watch avoids the “this is a kids’ device” vibe. Announced at Pepcom during CES 2025, this new smartwatch lacks a bulky, vividly colored casing or overly thick bezels. Instead, it boasts a sleek design reminiscent of a slightly larger Apple Watch — complete with a subtle camera bump — and interchangeable straps in various styles. For tech-savvy kids eager for a smartwatch like their parents’, it can easily pass for an adult wearable.
According to Pinwheel, the parental controls offer significant power and flexibility.
For younger children, parents may choose to require approval for all contacts, while a 14-year-old might receive the freedom to add friends without needing permission. Parents can monitor text and call histories remotely and disable specific features — such as sending images — on a per-contact basis.
The company also asserts that the AI chatbot is designed with kids in mind.
It features a child-friendly version of ChatGPT known as PinwheelGPT. The organization claims the chatbot has undergone testing to prevent common tricks that would make it respond inappropriately, ensuring it doesn’t produce unsuitable replies. Parents also have access to these chats, including deleted messages.
“You can certainly ask it whatever, but it won’t answer,” Pinwheel co-founder Dane Witbeck mentioned. “It quickly redirects and states, ‘hey, that’s something you should discuss with a trusted adult.’”
The camera, located on the underside of the watch, will support two-way video calls.
While there’s no official release date yet, it’s expected to arrive later this year. Along with the $160 purchase price, a custom cellular plan will be necessary at approximately $15 per month.
Images: Pinwheel
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