Number of melodies
The number of melodies provided in the mobile. Numerous melodies makes the toy more interesting, but affects its value.
In mechanical models (see "Type"), there are usually only three melodies (if any). This gives some kind of variety, and it is difficult to foresee a larger number for technical reasons. In electric vehicles, this number may be higher, but the specific number varies. So, there are quite a few models that have only
five melodies or less ; and in the most advanced devices there can be
more than 20 melodies.
Operating time
The time during which the switched on mobile works before it turns off on its own. For mechanical models (see "Type"), this is actually the operating time in a full factory. Most often, it is about 10 minutes — for a longer work, a too bulky mechanism would be required, moreover, more time is not required so often. In electric models, the operating time is much longer — in the expectation that the parent will most likely turn off the device himself at the right time. And if the mobile is equipped with a timer (see "Features"), the operating time for it is indicated as the time after which the shutdown will occur if the timer is not set.
Features
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Volume control. The ability to adjust the volume of sound effects — melodies, sounds of nature, etc. Thanks to this adjustment, you can set the most comfortable volume level. It also allows you to adjust the sound for a specific situation: for example, loud music is not needed to lull a baby to sleep, and immediately after waking up, it will help him cheer up.
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Sounds of nature. A mobile with this function is able to play not only music, but also various pleasant sounds of nature: the rustle of leaves, the singing of birds, the sound of rain, the murmur of a stream, etc. These sounds are also interesting for the baby, and many of them have a calming effect and help fall asleep .
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Night light. The classic night light is a dim lamp built into the mobile and turned on at night so that the baby is not afraid in complete darkness. In some models, the night light can be powered by a sound sensor (see below) and turn on if the child wakes up in the middle of the night.
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Projector. A device that, with the help of light, creates various pictures on the walls and ceiling. It can be a starry sky, funny little animals, etc. Such pictures are interesting for the baby, they both entertain and calm him down. The project itself can be either built into the mobile or separate. The image from the projector i
...s best seen in the dark, so it is often used as a night light (see above). However, both of these functions can be provided in the mobile at once — both the projector and the night light.
— Removable toys. The ability to remove the toys that the mobile is equipped with. By removing the usual pendants and replacing them with others, you can make the mobile more interesting for the baby. In addition, removed toys are more convenient to clean from dirt; this is especially true for fabric products (see "Toys"), which may require washing — after all, you cannot put toys in the car with your mobile.
— Sound sensor. A sensor that reacts to loud sounds in the room — primarily to the crying of a child. If the baby woke up in the middle of the night and cried, a mobile with such a sensor can automatically turn on, play a lullaby, light up the room with a night lamp or a projector, etc. Some models can even report the operation to parents on the remote control or smartphone.
— Timer. If there is a timer, the parent can set the time after which the mobile will automatically turn off. This eliminates the need to turn off the device manually each time. This is especially convenient if the mobile is used for lulling before going to bed: it is better not to approach the baby who has just fallen asleep once again, so as not to disturb him.
— Remote control. Remote control supplied with the mobile. The purpose of this remote control is already clear from the name — it allows you to control the device from a distance; moreover, most often the control works via a radio channel and “reaches out” even through walls of small thickness. Such an opportunity is not “vital”, but it can make life much easier for parents. The set of functions available from the remote control may be different, this point should be clarified separately.
— USB input. The USB connector in mobile phones is most often used to connect to a computer: through this connector, you can write melodies to the device as you wish. A more advanced application is also possible: connecting a “flash drive” with recorded music and playing it through a mobile. The specific features of the USB input should be clarified separately.