instructions
Setting up the Toniebox: This is how the device plays audio books and music
A child-friendly radio play box has replaced the classic radio play cassette
© Anastasiia Boriagina / Getty Images
Be it Benjamin Blümchen or The Three Question Marks, Bibi Blockberg or Pettersson and Findus: radio plays have always been a popular means of entertaining children. However, these are no longer played on the cassette recorder, but on a Toniebox. You can find out how to set up the device here.
It looks like a cube with ears and has enjoyed increasing popularity since 2016: The Toniebox was developed to play radio plays as well as music. However, she does not need any cassettes or CDs for this, only an internet connection. If the device is connected to the network, it only has to be put into operation. For this you need special characters, the so-called Tonies – they activate the desired song or radio play by simply placing them on the box. Sounds easy, and it is. How to set up the device is summarized in the following instructions.
1st step: charge the Toniebox
If you have a toniebox holding it in your hands for the first time, you may be surprised at the lack of an on/off switch. But don’t worry, the device is very easy to use – but first it has to be charged: Take the supplied charging station, connect it to the power supply and then place the cube on it. As soon as the LED light turns green, the Toniebox is fully charged (after around three hours) and can be used. If the battery is empty again, the LED display lights up orange. However, it is better if you only recharge the device when it calls you and asks for a power source. As a result, the battery lasts longer. And another tip: While the Toniebox is being charged, it can already be set up and activated.
2nd step: Set up the Toniebox
Before you can actively use the Toniebox, the device must be activated. To do this, you must first register (free of charge) on the manufacturer’s website and create a personal account. Proceed as follows:
- Open the website in a browser
- Fill out all mandatory fields
- Click on the button “Register now”
You will then receive an email with a confirmation link to activate your Toniecloud account. For this you need a Tonie identification number, which is on the bottom of your box. Once your account has been successfully activated, you can set up and configure the Toniebox on the website (e.g. the maximum volume and the acceleration sensor). You can also use the audio library and feed the creative Tonies with new content.
Step 3: Connect the Toniebox to WiFi
Now it’s a matter of connecting the Toniebox to the Internet – because without WLAN the setup of the audio device unfortunately doesn’t work. It is best to place the cube near your router so that it can find the signal faster. Once the box has connected to the WLAN, it doesn’t matter where you put it to play it later. Now log into your account again (if you should have logged out) and proceed as follows:
- Press the two ears on the Toniebox for five seconds until the LED lamp starts flashing blue – and you hear a beep.
- After approximately 20 seconds, the LED indicator will stop flashing and you will hear a second beep.
- Take your mobile device that you used to register online and wait for your WiFi connection to appear.
- Connect your device to the Toniebox network and wait for the menu to prompt you to pair the Tonie network with the WLAN.
- Enter your WiFi password and then click on the “Connect Toniebox” button.
- When the cube is activated, it greets you with the words: “Oh yes, now I’m ready for the Tonies! Have fun!”
4th step: Activate Tonie figures
After you have activated your account and successfully set up the Toniebox, the listening fun can begin. In order for the cube to be able to play the desired audio signal, you need a Tonie figure. Here you can choose between many different models: Whether audio book classics like “Benjamin Blümchen” or “The Three Question Marks”, popular children’s books like “The Little Prince” or “The Robber Hoztenplotz”, Disney favorites like “The Jungle Book” or “Bambi “The choice is huge. To get a radio play going, you (or your child) simply have to place the Tonie figure on the box. And the story is on. When it is over, the device switches itself off automatically after ten minutes. Unless you put a new figure on it.
And another important note: Once the figure has been loaded onto the Toniebox via the WLAN connection, the stories can be listened to on the go (e.g. in the car) even without an Internet connection.
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