The KidZui browser used a Zooming User Interface paradigm to make browsing easier for children.
[1] Search results appeared as scaled-down images of websites, videos, and pictures that children click on to zoom in and see the content.
KidZui uses teachers and parents to screen content and maintains a database of approved URLs.
[11] Membership gives kids additional features like more available clothing and accessories for Zuis, more background and themes, and the ability to get to higher levels with points.
[14] KidZui was started in 2006 when Vidar Vignisson was frustrated because he couldn't find a safe and easy way for his own children to use the Internet.
[16] Prior to founding KidZui, Vignisson, Boro, and Broadhead had been partners on other Internet startups including Infogate, which they sold to AOL Time Warner in March 2003.
[17][18] Vignisson was frustrated by the approach of existing technologies that were available at the time; online filters helped keep out dangerous content, but could only be used in conjunction with adult browsers, which are hard for children to use.
ZuiTube provided a "Play All" mode that allowed kids to watch all videos within a specific channel without interruption, as well as an "auto complete" search feature with smart-type that optimized results based on popularity, or "Kid Rank."
ZuiTube also offered KidZui-user-generated video channels as an opportunity for kids to both enjoy and express themselves within KidZui's community of users.
[11] KidZui included advertisements to children in their browser, mostly based on sponsored partnerships with Under Armour, Mattel, and Comcast.
KidZui used a Zooming User Interface paradigm where search results are displayed visually at a smaller scale.
The visual interface made it easier for children to browse without advanced reading skills.
KidZui had an auto search complete feature that returns results after only typing one or two letters.