While we'll always know Violet for its iconic bunnies, the company is branching out into a more direct RFID application. The Mirror RFID reader is a USB-pluggable little platter that can read RFID tags and launch an assigned action on the computer when it spots a tag it knows. Examples we saw included a tagged post card of Vegas launching a corresponding picture on the computer (lame), a tagged toy car bringing up a map (getting warmer), a tagged umbrella launching the weather forecast (now we're cooking with gas), and a cute little mini-Nabaztag figurine doing whatever it wants (en fuego / choose your own tired metaphor). We could see the reader being put to use for the computer illiterate, or children having their first go at a PC, but we're more excited to see what hackers can make of the tech -- old people and children are overrated. No word on price or release date yet, but Violet has a press conferenced planned for Monday, so we should know more then.

The Nabaztag WiFi rabbit learned a new trick at CeBIT: reading RFID tagged children's books. Violet already loosed a book in France at Christmas and now plans to launch its first English language book in the UK within the month. Right, that's one less parental responsibility for you. It's also cooking up "ztamps" which are RFID stickers you can attach to anything you like. When each unique sticker is held to Nabaztag's nose, it responds with a predefined action like playing music, sending an email, reading off the latest headlines, etc. Really, it's not as crazy as it sounds. Check the video after the break -- now that they've fixed last year's service issues caused to overwhelming demand, parents might want to give this critter a second look.

Meet PC Gizmo. Sure, it's a cheapo, USB-interfacing Nabaztag knock-off... but it loves you. Don't make PC Gizmo cry -- let it alert you to IMs, emails, VoIP calls, and its insatiable need for hugs. See PC Gizmo do its thing in the video after the break.

You know the Nabaztag -- the lovable, WiFi-sporting, olfactory-equipped plastic rabbit which wormed its way into our hearts. Sure, everyone wants to nestle up to the little critter's twinkling LEDs and soothing expression, but what about Nabaztag's pitiful, cheap, single-function cousin, the Rabbit Sensor Night Light? That's right -- not a lot of love for this one-trick-pony, a simple night light which won't play back your favorite podcasts, recognize the scent of a carrot, read you a book, or act as your Cha'Dich during your trial on Qo'noS concerning the attack at Khitomer... but it will glow softly through its pink plastic casing. Look, it automatically turns on when it detects movement, and it's dirt cheap ($12.99) -- isn't that enough?

[Thanks, kristofer b]

While we typically question the sanity of anyone who would pay $200+ for a talking rabbit (not really, we're just jealous), it looks like Nabaztag/tag fanboys/girls have a reason to be upset. Out of the box, many buyers of the cute little bunny found that they had just purchased a cute little paperweight, since Violet's API was down for days at a time. Now that those server problems have been fixed and the Nabaztag/tag can actually receive info from the service, buyers are finding that Violet expects an extra fee for some services, and completely failed to include other features in the box, such as RFID tags compatible with the bunny. Other features are hopelessly bad in their execution, such as instances of asking tag/tag for the weather, and receiving a response three minutes later. Hardly the virtual pet nirvana most users were hoping for. Violet has indicated that it has heard the complaints of its customers, but still hasn't issued a formal response to address the issues. We'll keep an eye out for such a word, and until that day we'll put our hope in Violet-alternatives such as OpenNab, which promise to help "Unleash Your Inner Bunny" without all the hassle of tangling with the company that gave it birth.

[Thanks, Mark B]

As of midnight in France -- 6PM EST -- the Nabaztag/tag went live, bringing with it RFID, a VoIP belly button and a whole lotta love. We're not quite sure yet if we're most excited to talk into this thing's belly button, allow it to sniff our various vegetables, or observe the RFID functionality at work -- a recent demo of the rabbit showed the Nabaztag/tag reading a children's book based on RFID encoded data. Violet, the creator of Nabaztag and its new successor, is also rolling out a software update that will affect all current Nabaztags, including personalised MP3 messaging and expanded newsfeeds. Sadly, we can't get the Violet site to load right this minute, so you might have to wait a bit for the server elves to do their thing before you can make this bunny yours.

Wondering what all the Nabaztag/tag hubbub is about? Then check the video of this v2 WiFi bunny who not only emerges from DEMOfall with a mic stuffed in his fake plastic belly, he snagged a sense of smell too. That's right, in the demo he's able to detect a big dirty carrot held in front of his felt-tipped "T" of a nose and respond accordingly. Somehow this all seems perfectly fine and even a hare arousing when explained by mister French Elvis. Oh Nabaztag, we know this world is killing you.

Nabaztag was only just birthed onto these golden shores to the quivering delight of geeks a-plenty. Now, just like you'd expect from a dirty, drrrty French bunny, Violet got busy on the quick and conceived Nabaztag/tag for release into the Internet wilds. On display at DEMOfall starting today, Nabaztag part deux brings all that 9-inches of WiFi interactivity only now with a fully-functional mic in the belly for two-way, verbal communication and the ability to play podcasts and web radio. Just an additional Jackson to take the $169 Nabaztag/tag home starting November 18th.

[Via NetworkWorld]

If you were looking for some cutesy Hello Kitty paraphernalia, turn away while you still have your sanity. This USB Kitty might look cute on the outside, but it's clear the feline sentry harbors ill-will for the race of men. The USB device has dual infrared ports, and watches your computer for "intruders," which it then hisses, meows and shakes its evil head at. USB Kitty can also sing melodies (no doubt its method of removing souls), and includes a calendar and alarm function to alert you of events. Best of all, the device is a mere $24, so we're looking forward to a few hackers getting their hands on this thing and plotting a USB Kitty vs. Nabaztag fight to the death. We say USB Kitty FTW.

Alright everyone, calm yourselves, we have some news: not a year and a couple of weeks since the day we first wrote about the Nabaztag, it's found a US distributor. You'll never guess who's picked it up, too. Ok, ok, we'll tell you, it's ThinkGeek. We know, you're probably hyperventilating right now, especially if you were the intended recipient of a WiFi rabbit from Engadget's Valentine's Day gift guide, but got flimflammed out getting it because it was previously only available from French sites. Well, it's time to put up a fuss, because this thing'll set you or your kind, gift giving significant other back $150 -- about right, including interest, if they never got you anything for Vday. Bienvenue en Amérique, lapin.

[Thanks, Veronica]