Sega's idog: the iPod reborn in canine form
posted Jan 20th 2005 8:00AM
iPod-looking things are pretty much pouring from the sky these days, whether they're ripoffs or accessories, but we're fairly sure Sega Toys' idog is the first canine robot to join the party. Looks aside, it does the usual stuff we've come to expect from robot pets, like responding "emotionally" to touches to its various sensors. Its main claim to fame is its musical ability, though: it'll improvise tunes based on 720 internal musical phrases, changing the mood of the music as you wave your hand over the phototransistor on its head (could…get…old…real…fast…). They've even included an external audio jack on its hindquarters for you to connect an external player; no prizes for guessing the device of choice for the MP3 enema at their press event. And yes, it does waggle its ears and paws in time to the music.
You know Sega made the Poochie dog right? Just consider this Poochie Plus (Can't call it Poochie 2 because I think there's one out there already)
one question. WHY?!
how much?
you guys make me sick! How is this an ipod knockoff, because it is covered in white plastic?!! Give me a break! It seems like some people are so brainwashed by the ipod's popularity that they almost think that Apple has trademarked the color white. I don't think they have quite got that far yet. Shhhh, don't give them any ideas.
It'll cost Y4,197 (around $40).
A further tidbit about this is that they're planning a higher-end model with audio recording and music download capabilities.
Ipod is the new white, my friend. ;p
in case you have one, i posted an english translation of the instructions on my website...
http://www.mayobaby.com/iDog.html
Thanks Brian..!
Is that the full instruction sheet..? It starts with page 2. Is it 2 & 3 together (as in the scan) and 1 & 4 are under 'Page 4'..?
Where can i buy it??
I just bought one. They are available at The Sharper Image for 34.99 . It's awesome cuz it's basically like a visualizer that's physically in front of you all the time, so you can have other windows open on your comp and you have this doggie wagging around to the beat and flashing, and an occasional bark and riff of tunes.
i think it's cute.
I think iDOG is a remarkable creation. the question is it it really apple's inventions or sega?...im confused?..its not even advertised on apples website so is it a fake invention or what?/.I think iDOG is cute though and as i said before techinology is really coming around.....Watch out year 3000!!!
These are now available at Toys R Us and online at Amazon. I picked one up the other day in store and they only received 4 of them. They were all sold out by the end of the day. Overall, I'm not too impressed by this. The speaker used in the iDog is really small and the acoustics are very bad. Yes I know, I wasn't expecting top of the line quality audio sounds for $25. The problem is that if you turn it all the way you get a lot of distortion. If you turn the click wheel volume down a notch or two to eliminate the distortion the volume gets cut in half! If you want a cute toy then the iDog is for you. If you're looking for speakers, invest in something else.
Just to answer a few questions. This is an iPod accessory not made by Apple. Sega released the iDog in Japan, but in the US it's made by Tiger Electronics a division of Hasbro.
I think its cute but I was just wondering why they are so cheap.. if they are like an ipod didn't they cost like $300 why are these 30 bucks isn't that a hint that its goin to suck
i think dat da idog is an awesome invention. i haven't got 1 yet but i can't wait till christmas so i can get 1. it's pretty cute i reckon
YES It wiggles it's Ears, Moves it's Head, and blinks it's lights to the music.
NO, It does Not Dance!
The legs can be posed, but there are NO motors driving the legs! The packaging might make you think otherwise, but the little guy stays put where you set him.
Yes, it is cute. You feed it music through the aux jack, and the music plays out of the back speaker in the iDog.
So, it actually IS useful as a portable (mono) speaker system for your iPod.
The sound IS Good for the size, if you want 400 Watt BOSE Audio - look someplace else.
And it is a reasonably priced speaker, Cost: $20~$30 bucks, depending on where you find it.
2 AA batteries required, and you'll need a screwdriver, (or swiss army knife) to get the batteries into the puppy.
Ladies who are in love with iPods, swoon over the iDog, well, at least for 10 minutes in the store. A cute gift for your girl...(but put some good batteries in it before you give it to her.)
In the box is the iDog, Instructions, and a Y-Splitter cable to plug the iDog into your music source, and also still listen on headphones, if you want to.
It's stupid amusement, and fun.
As a toy, you don't need to plug music into the iDog, it has a microphone in its head.
It will blink and wiggle its head to the music from your Stereo system or just set it on top of your TV. (Tested well with Star Trek Voyager, iDog enjoyed the fast active music of Star Trek).
Left alone with no music it barks and yelps and basically acts annoying until you pet its head, press its nose button or feed it more music.
A fun speaker for kids, or grownups who still think like kids!
Segatoys idog iPod Speaker CAN YOU BYE IT IN ANY STORE IN NYC OR NJ ?
Segatoys idog iPod Speaker CAN I BYE THIS IN A STORE IN NYC OR NJ ?
can you get a free trial?
can you download music on to it??????? if sum one knows, plz email me at zeroskat564@yahoo.com
i got mine @ target.
it's cute.
it doesn't do much.
i think a Tamagotchi/idog hybred would be cool.
i want oen badly T-T
**The Idog has nothing to do with Apple and the Ipod, except that it can connect to portable devices via the cable.
It was released earlier this year in Japan by Sega. Hasbro bought the rights to it and brought us the cheaper and less interactive version.
You can buy the Japanese version on audiocubes.com for $35, which isn't too much more than the $24 I paid for the American version at Toys R Us.
The Japanese version is said to have 70 pre-programmed children's songs. You can interact with it by petting it's head or ears and it has more emotions.
The Hasbro American version has little short tunes, barks, shakes his head and ears, and seems to get upset when you shut him down.
I'm about to order the Japanese version, so we'll see how different they really are. I'll post the differences when I get the new one.
cu?o cuesta y de donde lo envias?
My Sega Idog is here and I must say it's 1,000,000,000 percent better than the Hasbro I-dog. I still can't figure out how to shut him down so I can go to bed, but damn he's cool. I ordered the blue one and he has stars for eyes. He's playing some music from my MP3 player right now and my Hasbro I-dog is trying to keep up. The LEDs in the Sega version are amazing!!! So many colors all at one time, while Hasbro's barely does 2 at a time. Omg and he plays such happy music!! The little motoros that make them move are very noisy...i guess that'll take time to improve. He's a bit smaller than the Hasbro one and he doesn't have chrome metal around his face...
I think it would be very good for Sega Toys to put their technology in the Hasbro I-dog body. NOW GO GET A JAPANESE IDOG!
Est?n audiocubes.com...(enviado de Japon)
Cuesta cerca de $45, con el env?
I'm looking at pictures of the Japanese version at
audiocubes.com, and it does have the chrome plate around its face for the white one. Does the blue one not have it, or do both white and blue Japanese version don't have it? Can the Japanese version move its legs, or do both US and Japanese versions lack this capability? Does it come with a power plug and MP3 cable connector like the US version? Thanks.
Than0sk, Brian, for the english instructions. I just received my PINK iDog with heart shaped lights and i can't turn the damn thing off! (Pink is only released in Japan, so I spent too much for it on eBay.) they plan to release a black idog in early 06, but MY kid has to be SPECIAL :) LOL. This is a Christmas gift for my 11yo dd with a shuffle and i think it's adorable and has minor uses. let's face it. we bought rock em sock em robots and atari for the same reasons - its COOL. i will not defend myself. ;p
Investor27 : i have the pink japanese as i just posted and it did not come with any cables but i'm checking to see if it was supposed to. it does not move it's legs and the edges are chrome. other than the color and shape of the lights (they're hearts) it seems to tbe the same.
Liza. Thanks for the comments.
If you leave the Idog alone, it will go into Sleep Mode after 3 minutes in the Pet Mode, or 5 minutes if playing music from an outside source. You can force it into sleep mode by holding the nose button for 3-4 seconds. I hope this helps.
I'm thinking of getting one of these for my desk at work. Thing is, I want to connect it to my laptop via the headphone jack, not a portable music player. Is this possible and on which versions (as I'd prefer the Japanese one)?
Do you plug the idog into your ipod?
Does this connect to any mp3 player - or just the ipod? what do I need to look for when buying the mp3 to go with this for my daughter.
I just bought the iDog yesterday and I love it. I think he is so cute. For him to go to sleep, it normally takes five minutes in a dark area that is quiet. I hooked him up to my laptop through the headphone jack as well. He plays very well. I really like this toy and am glad I bought him. For 25 bux, I am not complaining.
Hi De, and Fran. The Idog can be plugged into any MP3 players. I am trying to purchase more for my young staff at my office for Christmas, but I can't seem to locate them anywhere. Any ideas guys?
i live in canada, so i'm wondering where online can i order the japanese idog? does anyone know?
you can get the japanese idog at audiocubes.com. i'm assuming you mean the lovely (pink) and happy (blue) version?
I have a 13yo Americam nephew who plays the guitar really well. Love the idea of the idog dancing to his music whilst the rest of us have ear plugs in! Which would he prefer the Hasbro USA version or the Sega Japanese?
An English Aunt
i have just recieved a pink japanese version (from audiocubes.com). extremely fast delivery and in good condition. instructions are in japanese. no cables supplied. cute little thing and ok sound quality. the head and ears ARE nosey and they move a lot (im wondering if the us version doesnt move as much)
it worth it for a cute toy but dont expect a wonderful invention.
sorry that should have said noisey.
please be aware that the idog TURNS ITSELF OFF IF YOU DO NOT PLAY WITH IT FOR 3 MINS, AND AFTER 5 MINS WHILST YOU PLAY MUSIC!
So if you're expecting to plug it in and listen for an hour or so you're mistaken. you have to touch its nose once every 5 mins to keep it playing.
anyone know how to stop it turning itself off?
I just got the Sega iDog from Japan today, don't get it factory direct, there aren't cables provided. I'm worried now I won't find them. My daughter is excited she might get it for Christmas, I might have to let her down. Anyone know where I can get compatible cables?
thanks!
I am so confused. I can't get my IDOG to play music through his speaker. That is really what I bought it for. PLEASE HELP
I was in future shop when i came across the demo model, cute, but sold out, they were for sale there for $40 but the helpfull sales guy informed me they were on sale at walmart, i quickley went over and grabbed the 3 they had on the shelf in the toy section, i went home and wrapped them up for my kids, 22yrs old pam, 23 year old stephen and pams boyfriend terry 29, hope they like em as much as i do, merry christmas
Is there anyway to keep it turned on, so it can be used as a speaker and not turn off every 5 minutes
i think this thing is awesome. i got 1 today & i love it. its cool & its great 4 my nano. also, 4 u ppl who think this is just awful, tough. ppl r just jumpin on the ban wagon. do u blame them???? its funny 2 watch & even my cats & basset hound r interested in it. its funny 2 watch.
i love & recomend it 2 anyone
~ME CHILLIN IN ELIZABETH CITY!~
So, I have seen comments here about how and when to shut this cutie off.... but.... we have had two now and they have both just shut down for no apparent reason. Yes we have tried the reset, and new batteries. Any suggestions??? When it works it is sooo very cute, but they have both quit within the same day :(
I bought the pink idog for my girlfriend. It is a huge disappointment. Maybe I got a bad one, but mine DOES NOT dance to music or move it's head and ears. It is definitely NOT more intelligent than the U.S. version. The U.S. version will dance to music simply by turning the idog on and letting it listen. To me it is just a cute, but poor quality speaker. If someone out there has the Japanese version and got theirs to dance by doing something specail please email me at justinfreeman24@hotmail.com
Thank you