(New York, NY, December 19, 2011) – You know it’s the holiday season when you see that familiar red figure, hear the unforgettable laugh and feel the undeniable joy emanating out of…Elmo! Sesame Workshop, the producers behind Sesame Street, is happy to announce the availability of a new app for iPhone and iPod touch – “Elmo Calls”, featuring everyone’s favorite furry red friend just in time for the holidays. The app is available now on the App Store. 
 
Pick up the phone, Elmo’s calling! Receive video calls, audio calls and voicemail from Sesame Street’s own furry, red monster. Or, give him a call yourself. Elmo has so much to talk about: ABCs, 123s, learning to use the potty and more. With the Elmo Calls App, children can laugh, play, and sing with Elmo. Grown-ups have their own section where they can activate calls any time they want or schedule calls for special moments in the day. Eight different themed call packs for grown-ups are available to choose from.
In addition to the new app, Sesame Street is happy to announce a new update to its popular Elmo Loves ABCs App for iPad that includes customization features that allows you to add your own photos and videos to the game and a tracker for you to see how your child is doing. The app also features an all new content pack, complete with new game objects, video and coloring pages for each letter. The update also includes seasonal content including holiday-themed art for the Hide-n-Seek game as well as holiday-themed game objects. 
Pricing and Availability:
The Elmo Calls App is available for $.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Additional content packs are available through In-App Purchase for $0.99 or you can purchase the “All-Calls” pack for $4.99.
 
The Elmo Loves ABCs for iPad is available for $4.99 from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. The update is free to current app users and an additional content pack is available through In-App Purchase for $0.99.
To celebrate the holidays, Elmo Loves ABC’s is $1.99 and Elmo Calls is FREE now through January 1, 2012.
 
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street.  The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 150 countries, and other acclaimed shows to help bridge the literacy gap including The Electric Company.  Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning.  Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.