Nabaztag, all singing

It's been a while since we heard from Nabaztag, the WiFi-enabled bunny wabbit, but according to ShinyShiny it looks like it'll be hopping to and spreading ambient information in the UK soon enough, and with the ability to sing and talk, no less. Kind of takes the fun out of an glanceable-information device, we know, but you understand as well as we that sometimes perky (or droopy) ears and multicolored lights aren't always the most effective means at aggregating data. Say it loud n' proud, Nabaztag; sing your life.

[iptydafu @ Jan 25th 2006 10:17AM]

Are those knockers that indicate call/voice-mail status? Little bunny knockers?

[skunky mcblunt @ Jan 25th 2006 10:26AM]

Lonks like a bleached-out Ling Ling from "Drawn Together"

[Adam Pennington @ Feb 9th 2006 4:27AM]

So I'm sitting next to one right now. I know enough French to order it internationally, and my GF really wanted one for her birthday.

The pictures make it look like a way overpiced cheapo piece of plastic. It's much more impressive close up. If you have an open access point, it's able to just connect and all configuration is done from Nabaztag.com. I was also glad that despite the website being a bit english challanged, the actual rabbit isn't.

The API consists of hitting a CGI on Nabaztag's site. It's enough to be able to tell it exactly how to move its ears, which lights to flash in what color (0-255) with the ability to coordinate events and set timings. You can also feed it text in the same way, which I believe is converted to a MP3 on the server with a text to speach engine and then streamed to the rabbit.

One of the coolest things I noticed is that you can poll the position of the rabbit's ears with the API. Since the ears can be both motor controlled and turned by hand... you can pull down an ear, have a remote app notice that the ear has moved, and trigger an action from it.