View source for Easybits

{{Short description|Norwegian privately held educational software company}}
{{Orphan|date=August 2024}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Easybits
| logo = Easybits_AS.png
| logo_size = 225px
| type           = [[Private company|Private]]
| industry          = [[Parenting]], [[E-learning]]
| products           = Magic Desktop, Inspirus platform, GameXN, Kiddo Smart
| services       = [[Educational software]]
| website            = 
}}

'''Easybits AS''' is a [[Norway|Norwegian]] privately held educational [[software]] company. Its principal product is Magic Desktop, an educational and [[Parental controls|parental control]] software suite.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7235466.stm | title=Children who use the internet face a slew of dangers, ranging from sex and drugs spam to cyber bullies and paedophiles. | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=11 February 2008 | access-date=11 March 2016 | author=Jorn Madslien}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.webwise.ie/parents/upcs-magic-desktop-for-kids-acclaimed-2/ | title=UPC's Magic Desktop for Kids Acclaimed | publisher=Webwise | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref> Easybits partnered with [[Skype]], powering Skype's games channel in 2006<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/easybits-releases-removal-tool-for-afflicted-skype-users/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812003451/http://www.zdnet.com/article/easybits-releases-removal-tool-for-afflicted-skype-users/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 12, 2015 | title=EasyBits releases removal tool for afflicted Skype users | publisher=[[Zdnet]] | accessdate=11 March 2016 | author=Adrian Kingsley-Hughes}}</ref> and [[Intel]] for building the first version of [[Classmate PC]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7826810.stm | title=Intel's Classmate comes to the UK | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=14 January 2009 | access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref>

==History==
The company initially announced a line of [[Parental controls|parental control]] software in 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3721644.stm | title=New software lets toddlers e-mail and surf | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=7 October 2004 | access-date=11 March 2016 | author=Jorn Madslien}}</ref> Its goal was to offer a safe and educational environment for children. The company’s principal product Magic Desktop won [[European Union|European Union’s]] benchmarking study of tools for parental control award in 2006 and 2007 for children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.libertyglobal.com/cr/PDF/CR-Update-8.pdf|title=CR Update 8|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7235466.stm|title=EU eyes safer cyberspace for young|date=2008-02-11|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-03-12}}</ref> [[Deloitte]] described the product as "very well suited for children because it offers a safe and educational environment”.<ref name="bbc" /> Easybits landed distribution and licensing deals with the internet service providers in [[Europe]] including [[Tiscali]], [[T-Online]], [[Telenor]], [[Telecom Italia]], [[Belgacom]], UPC, [[TalkTalk Group|TalkTalk]] and a few others.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/belgacom-and-easybits-software-to-introduce-secure-educating-children-software-in-belgium-154006785.html | title=Belgacom and EasyBits Software to Introduce Secure, Educating Children Software in Belgium | publisher=PRNewswire | date=21 February 2009 | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.talktalkgroup.com/press/press-releases/2009/28-10-2009.aspx | title=TalkTalk Brings Magic to Kids' Desktops | publisher=TalkTalk | date=28 October 2009 | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref>

In 2004, Easybits Software partnered with Telenor to introduce e-mail solutions{{buzzword inline|date=November 2020}} for children.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.telenor.com/media/press-releases/2004/telenor-and-easybits-software-to-introduce-email-solution-for-children/ | title=Telenor and Easybits Software to introduce e-mail solution for children | publisher=Telenor | date=8 October 2004 | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref> In 2009, [[Disney]] and [[Asus]] teamed up to work on a new product [[Disney Netpal]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://johnkoetsier.com/2009/07/disney-netpal/ | title=disney netpal | accessdate=11 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311185216/http://johnkoetsier.com/2009/07/disney-netpal/ | archive-date=11 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref> they asked EasyBits to ascertain what makes the User Interface differentiation and provide parental controls.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/06/16/asus-inexplicably-releases-a-disney-netbook/ | title=ASUS inexplicably releases a Disney netbook | publisher=TechCrunch | date=16 June 2009 | accessdate=11 March 2016 | author=John Biggs}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/06/22/disney-netpal-hands-on-with-video/ | title=Disney Netpal hands-on (with video!) | publisher=Engadget | date=22 June 2009 | accessdate=11 March 2016 | author=Paul Miller}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://econsultancy.com/nma-archive/26345-five-launches-desktop-app-for-pre-school-kids | title=Five launches desktop app for pre-school kids | publisher=Econsultancy | date=24 November 2010 | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessdirect.bt.com/content/uni2/documentation/4p7q/pavilion_t3625.pdf|title=HP Pavilion Media Center t3625.uk PC|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www8.hp.com/ar/es/products/desktops/product-detail.html?oid=8124023#!tab=specs | title=Desktops para el hogar Todo en Uno HP Pavilion | publisher=[[Hewlett-Packard]] | accessdate=11 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://appackcentral.com/vipap/spring2016/application?id=175 | title=VIP App Pack 1H 2016 | publisher=Intel Corporation | accessdate=11 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311194543/http://appackcentral.com/vipap/spring2016/application?id=175 | archive-date=11 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Software companies of Norway]]