Toymail, the first company to create toys that let friends and family exchange voice messages with kids, has announced the release of its next generation of messaging toys, a quirky plush line called "Talkies". Kids can use the revolutionary toys to connect to any number of approved adults via the Toymail app, and to their friends’ Talkies, making it unnecessary to give young children a phone. Sending voice messages with Toymail is simple – parents purchase a Talkie, connect to it via the Toymail app for IOS or Android, and invite friends and family members to exchange messages with their child. Kids can initiate messages directly from their Talkie toys, too. Parents use Toymail to build deeper bonds with their children throughout the day, without having to put them behind a screen. Toymail chose messaging as its first service because of the enormous untapped market — 95% of children under the age of 10 don’t have a phone (70% of parents feel it would be inappropriate for children that age). Yet, 71% of parents surveyed state that they want their children to stay connected with friends and family for social and security reasons. Until recently, Toymail toys were cost prohibitive to make. The dramatic decrease in the cost of WIFI chips has enabled Toymail to build software services into the physical form factor of a toy. "Over the past two years, we've tested and perfected this product and the app that powers it," say Hill and Nanda. "We're beyond excited to bring it to the masses."