Let’s face it: there aren’t many good options for a kids smartwatch.

Apple’s is great and lots of people like Verizon’s Gizmo Watch, but after that things sort of fall off.

Now, Google is stepping up with a highly capable smartwatch that aims to keep kids active, connected, and smartphone-free.

I’ve been testing the new Fitbit Ace LTE with my son and it’s clear that Google did their homework on this one. It’s targeted at kids 7-11.

“We asked ourselves, could we build a device that kids loved and parents loved?” said Anil Sabharwal, Vice President of Product Management at Google.

After spending time with the watch, I can say they’ve come pretty close to achieving that goal. The device makes it easy to stay in touch with your child, and I was surprised to discover just how active my kid is throughout the day.

The Fitbit Ace LTE comes with a snap-on bumper and fun, interchangeable bands. It’s also water-resistant.

“One of the first tests we insisted on is it has to pass the washing machine test” said Sabharwal.

One of the standout features is the built-in cellular connectivity. The watch doesn’t link to your phone or plan; instead, it uses Google’s Fi network. This allows you to call and message your child (and vice versa) and see their real-time location on a map.

It’s worth noting that since the device isn’t assigned a phone number, all calling and messaging must be done through the app. Trusted contacts will need to download the app as well.

This is a bit of an annoyance, but there’s also a benefit: no one random can call or text the device, which means no spammy “party invites” my kid gets on his “other” watch.

The Fitbit Ace LTE has built-in games designed to keep kids active. In fact, you can’t play them unless you move around first.

“They’re immersive, they’re fun. You are fishing. You’re dancing. You’re a chicken in a bathtub racing through space,” explained Sabharwal.

Google has put a strong emphasis on privacy with this device. Location data is deleted within 24 hours, activity data within 35 days and there are no third-party apps to download or install. Data is not used for ads or other purposes.

“It really truly is a device that’s been built with privacy and data minimization right at the forefront,’ said Sabharwal.

Overall, the Fitbit Ace LTE is an excellent way to keep track of and stay in touch with kids who might not be ready for a smartphone. It strikes a nice balance between connectivity and independence.

“And that’s what this device is all about, is growing independence for kids in a really healthy, fun way and strengthening those connections with family,” concluded Sabharwal.

The Fitbit Ace LTE costs $229, and cellular service is $10 per month. Google has a promotion running through August 31 where if you purchase the first year of service, you can get 50% off, or $60. Available at the Google Store and Amazon.

A Southern California man was sentenced to prison Thursday for rape and sex crimes against his younger sister.

Stephen Delacruz, 37, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for crimes that he committed when he was 14 and 15 years old against his sister, who was 8 years old at the time, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

In 2019, the victim, identified as Samantha J., walked into the Oxnard Police Department to report the crimes that took place in 2001 and 2002.

During the incidents, Delacruz isolated Samantha in their Oxnard home and threatened to kill her if she ever reported him, court documents said.

Delacruz often displayed a knife prior to the sexual assaults, authorities said.

Charges were initially filed at the DA’s office in juvenile court, alleging Delacruz was a minor when the incidents happened.

However, Senior Deputy DA Erik Nasarenko sought to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult court, arguing the “crimes involved significant sophistication and planning and were especially violent and severe.”

The juvenile court judge agreed and transferred the case. However in 2022, the state legislature amended the criteria that juvenile court judges had to consider when deciding to transfer a case to adult court.

“The new criteria required courts to determine “by clear and convincing evidence that the minor is not amenable to rehabilitation through the juvenile court,” officials noted.

This prompted a transfer hearing before another Ventura County judge applied the new criteria and deemed the case worthy of transferring to adult court, stating the “allegations were horrendous.”

Before the case went to trial, Delacruz pled guilty to all eight felony charges filed against him including three counts of forcible rape, three counts of forcible oral copulation and two counts of sexual penetration by a foreign object. He also admitted to special allegations that the victim was under 18 years of age.

“Samantha demonstrated great resiliency and determination as she fought for justice and accountability in this case,” Nasarenko said. “Facing her brother during today’s sentencing to give her victim impact statement took incredible strength and courage.”

Delacruz was sentenced to 30 years in state prison.

Homicide detectives are searching for whoever shot and killed a man in Los Angeles County Wednesday night.

The incident was reported shortly before 11 p.m. in the 800 block of North Rose Avenue in the City of Compton.

Arriving deputies found a male victim at the scene suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

The victim, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated in a news release.

Video showed caution tape blocking off the neighborhood street lined with parked cars as detectives investigated the crime scene.

No information regarding the suspect, or suspects, has been released.

The motive for the shooting was also unknown.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 323-890-5500. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.