Pleo's site turns one, little bugger's price temporarily drops over $100

Although Pleo's only been out for about six months, UGOBE opened up shop at PleoWorld about a year ago, and to celebrate they're selling the robo-dino-pets at over $100 off the regular $350 price tag. The promo goes on until July 11th, and apparently all you need to do is pop in a promo code (PLEOWORLDISONE) and you'll get yours for a cool $235, which is an especially great deal if your intention is only to slaughter it.

[ECG @ Jun 30th 2008 2:57AM]

If I didn't already own one, I'd rather spend that money on a Wii.

[Tired_ @ Jun 30th 2008 3:47AM]

Awkward title to this article...I clicked on it excitedly, thinking the price had dropped to just over $100 (which is about what I'd be willing to pay).

[Speeddemon2008 @ Jun 30th 2008 4:07AM]

i thought the same thing

[Reader @ Jun 30th 2008 8:32AM]

Thirded... Though I wouldn't buy it for 100 dollars either.

[Ellianth @ Jun 30th 2008 3:31PM]

I also thought the same thing. Maybe you guys should change the title of the article...

[David @ Jun 30th 2008 4:49AM]

Well that's great if you live in the U.S. I had a Pleo but got rid of it. It's nowhere near what the maker claims it to be despite it's latest OS upgrade. It's skin tears (Ugobe won't repair it other than advise to use crazy glue to patch it with), chipping teeth and necks and tails that are breaking (see the Pleo forum) which Ugobe also will not repair is only half the problem with these things. There is no AI to speak of. It responds to the exact same stimulus in the exact same way (scratch under chin = sing, pat head = purr, stroke back = coo). It cannot recognise faces, cannot respond to voice commands and certainly does not learn. In addition to all these issues the battery lasts for only 1 hour with a 4.5 hours recharge. Pleo becomes terribly boring very quickly (unless you have an extended imagination). Invented by the same person who invented the Furby, Pleo is a little more sophisticated than it's predecessor but I recall when people were convinced their Furby was learning too. No wonder Ugobe have reduced the price on this toy.

[Richard @ Jun 30th 2008 5:51AM]

What I find amusing is I said the same when the thing came out on Youtube and got lambasted. Go get a dog that has real AI, the Plea is just a piece of emotionless plastic and metal that teaches children nothing about social relationships.

[markwilliams4 @ Jun 30th 2008 5:16AM]

Good to see another tech item you can get for less dollars than pounds. £250 here in the UK. And Ugobe dont ship international. I blame... Gordon B.

[markwilliams4 @ Jun 30th 2008 5:16AM]

Good to see another tech item you can get for less dollars than
pounds. £250 here in the UK. And Ugobe dont ship international. I
blame... Gordon B.

[Blacksmith3388 @ Jun 30th 2008 7:45AM]

Most of you guys just don't get it! Pleo and Ugobe are at the start of some so big that it will shape consumer electronics. All of the negative comments here are out weighed 100 times with great experiences from Pleo owners, I am just one. The magic of Pleo is not what you get in the box today, and what you have from the start, it's about Pleo will evolve, express more emotions, tricks, responses, adaptability. This will all become evident as the software is developed further in the coming months...This is the real magic of Pleo and that is that you don't know how it will evolve, but also what am amazing reaction it get from people at the cafe, or shopping mall! It's unlike anything else in the market and will be very hard to copy!!!

[mickeyMoo @ Jun 30th 2008 8:00AM]

Welcome new user - astroturf much?

[Dave @ Jun 30th 2008 8:48AM]

I'm sure you thought your Furby was the start of something big too. Oh hang on, it was... it's called Pleo. A toy marketed as having technology it clearly doesn't have and Ugobe refuse to repair when it's design faults start to show through.

[ShadowKain @ Jun 30th 2008 9:23AM]

He must be new to engadget. Yes we know what Pleo is, and most of us would rather spend our money on something else. Fin

[neofolklore @ Jun 30th 2008 8:18AM]

What the hell is it? The picture with the dinosaur, the article, and the comments seem completely incoherent to me, and I dont feel like "Reading more ->"

[NHAnimator @ Jun 30th 2008 8:23AM]

These units really are lifelike. Pleo looks like he's getting ready to take a DinoDump(R).

[ShadowKain @ Jun 30th 2008 9:25AM]

There are much better robots on the market that accomplish more innovation then this really. I mean this guy created the Furby then this...I hated the annoying Furby, god the nightmares, so I instinctivly will stay away from this...

[BeyondtheTech @ Jun 30th 2008 10:17AM]

With Sharper Image trying to blow out remaining stock at 30%-60% off, the Pleo's there are selling at $244 regularly, and the price will continue to drop until the stores are gone. When it hits 50% off, assuming they'll be any left in stock, then I'll pick one up for my kids.

[hayesb2 @ Jun 30th 2008 12:09PM]

With gas likely to hit $7/gal soon, who needs a furry robot pet?

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 30th 2008 5:06PM]

But Pleo gets 94 miles per charge.

[TIMMAH! @ Jun 30th 2008 12:54PM]

Looks like he's getting ready to take a dump...