Kids have been making their pets talk for generations, now Talking Tom & Ben News turns that childhood game into a full blown interactive experience.
Talking Tom & Ben News it`s developed by Outfit7 (creators of the iconic Talking Tom series), this app lets users put words in the mouths of Tom the cat and Ben the dog as they host their own chaotic news show.
With 100 million downloads and a 4.2-star rating, it’s clear families love its blend of voice repetition and slapstick comedy. But does it hold up beyond the first few laughs? Let’s break down what makes it work, and where it could improve.
Talking Tom & Ben News Features – More Than Just Silly Voices
Voice Repetition: Say Anything, Hear Everything
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How It Works: Speak into your device, and Tom/Ben will repeat it back in their signature squeaky voices, with exaggerated inflections.
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Language Flexibility: Works with any language or nonsense words (try “blubber nuggets” for guaranteed kid giggles).
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Real-World Use: Parents report using this to:
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Teach toddlers new words
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Practice foreign language pronunciation
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Create absurd comedy routines
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Slapstick Interactions: Poke, Swipe, Repeat
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50+ Reactions:
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Poke Tom’s belly → He clutches it and giggles
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Swipe Ben downward → He faceplants dramatically
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Tap the news desk → Triggers a chaotic fight sequence
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Hidden Easter Eggs:
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Rapid taps on Ben’s nose make him sneeze
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Pinch Tom’s ears to see him flail
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Custom News Desk: Your Photos, Their Broadcast
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Upload Any Image/Video: The duo will “report” on it with wild gestures.
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Creative Uses:
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Turn homework into a “breaking news” segment
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Announce family events (like a pet’s birthday)
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React to memes for social media content
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Ad-Free Experience
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One-Time Purchase ($4.99):
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Removes all ads
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Unlocks premium animations (like the infamous “water balloon fight”)
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User Experience – Designed for Tiny Fingers
Visuals: A Cartoon Studio Comes to Life
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3D Character Models: More expressive than earlier Talking Tom apps.
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Environment Details:
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Flashing “ON AIR” sign
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Wobbly camera effects during fights
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Changing backdrop colors
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UI: Simple Enough for a 4 Year Old
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Oversized Buttons: Impossible to miss, even for little kids.
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No Complex Menus: All features accessible from the main screen.
Performance Considerations
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Device Compatibility: Runs smoothly on tablets from 2018 onward.
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Storage Needs: ~500MB (manageable for most devices).
What Users Say
Parents Love:
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“My autistic son practices speech by making Ben repeat words, it’s therapy disguised as play.”
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“Finally, an app where the ‘recording yourself’ feature isn’t cringey!”
Common Criticisms:
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Missing Nostalgic Features:
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The original “TV button” for replaying clips is gone
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Fewer spontaneous interactions than Talking Tom Gold Run
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Paywall Frustrations:
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Key animations (like the slingshot gag) require purchase
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Ads appear frequently in free version
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Getting the Most Out of Talking Tom & Ben News: Hidden Tricks & Smart Comparisons
Expert Tips for Next Level Fun
Language Roulette: Beyond Basic Phrases
While most kids stick to silly noises, the app shines when you:
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Test Accents: Say “hello” with exaggerated French/British/robot tones
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Teach Simple Words:
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Spanish: “¡Hola amigos!” (Ben’s squeaky repeat helps with pronunciation)
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Japanese: “Konnichiwa” (Tom stretches the syllables hilariously)
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Create Absurd News Reports:
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“Breaking news: The cat dog alliance has declared naptime mandatory!”
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Pro Tip: For extra laughs, whisper – the characters will SHOUT your quiet phrases.
Secret Reactions You’re Missing
Beyond basic pokes, try these hidden triggers:
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Diagonal Swipes:
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Down-left = Tom gets tangled in microphone wires
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Up-right = Ben “accidentally” knocks over the news desk
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Multi-Touch Tricks:
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Two-finger tap = Surprise guest appearance (Angela the cat sometimes pops in)
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Hold + swipe = Extended fight sequences
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News Desk Hacks for Viral Content
Transform basic photos into comedy gold:
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Meme Templates: Upload “Distracted Boyfriend” or “Woman Yelling at Cat”
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Family Photo Twist: Make Tom “report” on baby pictures with dramatic commentary
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Homework Humor: Film a “breaking news” segment about a math worksheet
How It Stacks Up Against Other Talking Apps
Feature | Talking Tom & Ben News | My Talking Tom 2 | Talking Angela 2 |
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Voice Repeaters | 2 characters | 1 pet | 1 pet |
Custom Content | |||
Physical Comedy | 50+ reactions | 30+ | 20+ |
Price | Free (+$4.99 ad-free) | Free (+IAP) | Free (+IAP) |
Key Takeaways:
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Choose Tom & Ben If: You want duo interactions and creative news features
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Pick Talking Tom 2 For: Pet care simulation (feeding/grooming)
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Try Angela For: Fashion focused gameplay (dressing up mini games)
Safety & Sharing: What Parents Should Know
Sharing Limitations
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Email Only: Prevents accidental social media exposure
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Parental Gate: Settings menu requires math problems to access
Privacy Protections
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No Personal Data Collected: Confirmed by PRIVO’s kidSAFE seal
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COPPA Compliant: Meets US child privacy laws
Update Reliability
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Monthly Patches: Fix voice recognition bugs
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New Content: Seasonal animations (like Santa hats in December)
Conclusion – Who Should Download?
The Good
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Classic Outfit7 Humor: Slapstick that never gets old
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Creative Play: News desk inspires family storytelling
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No Sneaky Subscriptions: One time payment removes ads
The Not So Good
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Repetitive After Weeks: Limited without new uploads
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Missing Legacy Features: Fans miss the old “TV replay” button
Perfect For:
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Families: Safe, cooperative play
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Content Creators: Easy meme generator
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Language Learners: Pronunciation practice
Skip If:
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You want deep gameplay (it’s purely interactive comedy)
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Your device is older than 2017 (may lag)
FAQ
How do I make Tom and Ben fight each other?
Swipe rapidly between them to trigger slapstick battles.
Where can I safely download Talking Tom & Ben News?
Get the legitimate version only on the Google Play Store. Avoid third-party sites.
Is there a way to remove ads without paying?
*No – the $4.99 upgrade is the only ad-free option. Learn about premium features.*
Why can’t I share videos directly to TikTok or Instagram?
The app only allows email sharing for child safety. Try screen recording for social media.
What’s the difference between this and Talking Tom Gold Run?
This focuses on news comedy vs. endless running.