Engadget

Mattel's hoverboard keeps McFly planted on terra firma, away from water

Zachary Lutz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:00 EST

There's no need to worry: your eyes aren't deceiving you, and the year most certainly isn't 2015. Still, that isn't stopping Mattel from teasing the iconic hoverboard at the New York Toy Fair. First made famous by Marty McFly in Back to the Future Part II, the product became something of Hollywood lore when the movie's director, Robert Zemeckis, insisted the contraption was real. While the claim later proved to be a prank, the desire for a genuine hoverboard has lived on. Now, following in the footsteps of McFly's MAG shoes from Nike, Mattel suggests it'll begin accepting preorders for the hoverboard replica next month. While the toy doesn't actually fly (but rather glides), it's said to emit a whooshing sound so that riders can pretend they're surfing through the air. Should Mattel solicit enough interest, the product will ship by year's end -- otherwise the company will merely scrap the idea and return to churning out Barbies.

Mattel's hoverboard keeps McFly planted on terra firma, away from water originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Battle Machines hands-on (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:22:00 EST

When Jada invited us up to its private show room at Toy Fair to do "battle" we were a little concerned -- last we checked we'd done nothing to offend the company. Thankfully, it just wanted to challenge us to a duel with its Battle Machines line of RC toys. A couple of years back the company debuted the line with a pair of cars that drive around playing laser tag with each other. Then, last year, things got really interesting Air vs. Land -- an RC chopper and turret that duked it for IR-equipped superiority. This year the company is expanding the line with Battle Quads (laser-wielding ATVs complete with rider) and Battle Heli (essentially one half of the Air vs. Land package, but programmed to perform rotor-powered dog fights). Neither of the new products were quite ready for a test run yet, but we did give the turret and copter combo a try... just for the heck of it. The toys are complete with blaster noises and, when shot down, an internal IC takes over the helicopter and does a little aerial death dance. After about 15 minutes we finally started to get the hang of piloting the aircraft but, by then, the Jada rep had us plummeting from the sky. Both the Battle Heli and the Battle Quads should be hitting shelves in August for $30 and $60, respectively. Check out the video and PR after the break.

Gallery: Battle Machines

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Battle Machines hands-on (video)

Battle Machines hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

It's still about two months out, but when the 8-bitty hits shelves it might just become our favorite member of the iCade family. At the moment the Bluetooth gamepad is little more than a hand-made prototype with some AA batteries taped to the underside and a sticker printed on the office InkJet slapped on the front. As a production quality controller, though, it should be the perfect handheld button mashers for those of you with a taste for the retro. The boxy, rectangular 8-bitty may be wireless and the final version will likely sport six buttons -- still, you can't help but be whisked back to your days spent blowing into dusty Contra cartridges and tapping out the Konami code. We gave the early prototype a quick try and the D-pad and red buttons feel just like their '80s inspiration. Unfortunately they're not quite as responsive yet, but we're figuring there's still some kinks to be worked out before it ships this Spring. The 8-bitty should be launching exclusively with ThinkGeek for between $25 and $30. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break.

Gallery: iCade 8-Bitty hands-on

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video)

iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:27:00 EST

We'll forgive you if you've never heard of Hyper Scanner. The carnival style arcade game is apparently all the rage in Japan, though. Kids line up to battle it for king of the yo-yo hill. Yo-Yo Factory came out to Toy Fair to show off its customizable yo-yo system, designed for the serious aficionado. Everything from the weight, to the bearings, to the colors can be tailored to your taste and to greatly improve the performance for particular tasks. The Hyper Scanner measures how fast the toy spins in RPMs and rates your performance -- not unlike a high striker. Brand manager and member of the development team Ben McPhee demoed how much better his company's products are over a standard yo-yo by ratcheting it up to near 7,000RPM. This Engadget editor was also given a chance to prove his yo-yo mettle, but couldn't break the 3,000 mark. Of course, the game has plenty of blinking lights and loud noises to entice you to play -- including repeatedly shouting "hyper" at you in a thick Japanese accent. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on

Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter, we go gloves-on (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:24:00 EST

Being able to wave your hand through the air and control a physical object -- as if by magic -- is everyone's dream. And if you say it's not yours, then you sir or ma'am are a liar. That's why we had to stop at the Regal Elite booth on the floor at Toy Fair. The company was showing off the Force Flyer, an RC helicopter you pilot with an accelerometer-equipped glove. The patented tech, called Glove Force Technology, adds a level of physical interactivity that's more Wii than RC. A small joystick you hold in your palm controls thrust, while tilting and moving your hand through the air gets the chopper to perform acrobatic maneuvers -- or plummet to the ground if you're an Engadget editor. The Regal Elite staff seemed to have pretty good control of the Force Flyer, which gives us hope that our difficulty in keeping the toy airborne was due more to our lack of familiarity and not with the quality of the device. The glove controller on hand was still a prototype (as is much of what's on the floor at Toy Fair), hence the New Balance logo, but the actual internals are around 80 percent complete according to a rep. The smaller, indoor Force Flyer should be hitting the market in late April for $49.95, followed by a larger outdoor version. Check out the gallery below and video after the break for more.

Gallery: Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter, we go gloves-on (video)

Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter, we go gloves-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

zAPPed board games hands-on

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:21:00 EST

Alright, zAPPed is no GameChanger but, where Hasbro's line of iOS-integrated board games falls short in the pun department, it shines in cleverness. The Game of Life launched just a couple of days ago with a special edition designed to be used with an iPad app, while other classics Battleship and Monopoly are scheduled to follow later in the year. All make your iDevice an integral part of the gaming experience and leverage an ingeniously simple solution to boosting the interactivity. Underneath the game pieces are uniquely arranged capacitive plastic pads that allow the apps to identify what you're holding. Different boats in Battleship have slightly different arrangements of pads underneath that allow the app to tell whether your carrier or destroyer has been sunk.

Monopoly uses the same trick to differentiate player debit cards. When it comes time to make a transaction, you swipe the card across the screen of your iPhone and funds are automatically added or subtracted from your account. Monopoly also adds a few more play options, including a mini game for escaping jail. The Game of Life, of course, lets you spin a virtual wheel, but also customize virtual pegs -- adding hair and accessories where once you were stuck with plain pink or blue ones. Game of Life zAPPed Edition is out now for $25, while Monopoly will land in June, followed by Battleship in September. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Gallery: zAPPed board games hands-on

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading zAPPed board games hands-on

zAPPed board games hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NERF Lazer Tag hands-on

Terrence O'Brien — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:27:00 EST

We just came from Hasbro's off-site Toy Fair show room and, needless to say, we made them take us straight to the NERF Lazer Tag installation. The guns are still clearly in the early prototype stages and hand made -- with plenty of hot glue and header pins serving as evidence. Still, they felt solid and the app appears to be coming along nicely. We weren't allowed to take photos or video of the HUD, which is a shame since that's what sets Hasbro's product apart from similar toys, but we can tell you about some of the features.

In the top left of the screen is your life meter, which decreases every time you're shot. You'll know when you've been hit because the display will flash red. The app also beeps letting you know when an opponent has been detected -- alerting you to an opportunity to strike or of approaching danger. In the bottom right hand corner is you weapon selection and ammo remaining. You can reload by pressing in the lever on the front of the weapon. Holding it down opens the weapon selection, which you'll be able to upgrade through achievements and in-app purchases. There's also a pair of triggers in the well. The front engages your shield, which prevents you from being hit, but also stop you from firing on opponents, while the primary trigger fires blasts (complete with laser beam animation and explosions) at your opponents. Check out the gallery below for a few more impressions.

Gallery: NERF Lazer Tag hands-on

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

NERF Lazer Tag hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 EST

Mattel thinks it has the secret to succeeding where so many others have failed in bridging that divide between the virtual and the physical -- and it might be right. While plenty of other toy companies have tried pairing hunks of plastic with apps in the past, Mattel has gone the extra mile, incorporating its recognizable brands and partnering with top tier developers. Later this year the company will launch Apptivity, a line of toys made from conductive plastic that interact with iPad games -- some which you're already quite familiar with, like Cut the Rope, Fruit Ninja and, of course, Angry Birds. The games will get an update when the toys hit the market with new features and play modes specifically designed to utilize the physical pieces. Other brands, including WWE, Batman and Hot Wheels will also be part of the first batch of toys designed to be played with on your iPad screen.

None of the apps or the toys themselves were quite ready for prime time yet, but Hot Wheels, WWE, Fruit Ninja and Cut the Rope were all at least playable. The Apptivity mode in Cut the Rope and Fruit Ninja are pretty intuitive, but it took a bit of practice to get the hang of Hot Wheels. We had trouble finding the sweet spot on the screen that kept our car speeding along while leaving room to see upcoming obstacles. The line of toys will launch exclusively in Apple Stores in May with Hot Wheels (which will cost $20), followed by the rest in July. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break for a few more impressions.

Gallery: Mattel Apptivity hands-on

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video)

Mattel Apptivity hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Barbie gets a camera implant to snap photos in style, we go hands-on

Edgar Alvarez — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:00 EST

Speechless? We can't blame you and, although this fashionable shooter might not be up your alley, we're willing to bet your kids -- or any other young member of the fam -- would snatch her up in a heartbeat. Dubbed Barbie Photo Fashion, she might not be too computer savvy or a filmmaker, but this stylish doll's got traits of her own to flaunt. Photo Barbie's carrying a 5-megapixel camera between her shoulder blades and a thumb-size LCD in her synthetic guts. She's got 15 built-in effects to give your pics a little sweet spice too. Speaking of, the $50 Barbie holds up to 100 shots and is powered by a rechargeable battery that should give you enough juice to get through a few sessions. When it's time to charge up or unload your images, just jack into her tramp stamp mini USB port. Barbie was kind enough to join our photoshoot, so hit up the gallery below to check out the rest of the shots.

Gallery: Barbie gets a camera implant to snap photos in style, we go hands-on

Terrence O'Brien contributed to this report.

Barbie gets a camera implant to snap photos in style, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video)

Terrence O'Brien — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST

Beethoven's Fifth or Michelangelo's Pietà it's not but, while Master Moves Mickey can't stand as a cornerstone of civilization, it can certainly throw down on the dance floor. The b-boy bot has a speaker hidden under its garb that kicks out the jams while this mechanical mouse break dances its little Disney trademarked heart out. He's got 15 different signature moves, carefully choreographed to eight different built-in tunes and loads of personality thanks to a collection of self-depreciating one-liners ready in case he loses his balance. And all this legendary performer needs to keep earning his urban cred is a six AA batteries, oh, and your money -- $70 of it to be specific. Master Moves Mickey should be hitting shelves in August. Check out the video after the break.

Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.

Continue reading Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video)

Master Moves Mickey hands-on: challenges Bieber and TOSY to dance-off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand

Joseph Volpe — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:59:00 EST

Lonely and living in the city, but don't have the patience or maturity for Man's Best Friend? Well, you could always take a TankBot under your wing. Desk Pets' palm-sized four-wheeler first whirred into our hands earlier this year at the International Toy Fair, promising a variety of play modes and iOS control. Now, the team behind the roving gizmo has finally released it to retailers' shelves, tacking on a $25 price tag and adding Android compatibility. The mini-bot operates in a trio of configurations: an autonomous mode that makes use of its infrared sensors to navigate obstacles, a free-roaming option that'll have it wandering aimlessly and, most importantly, a free mobile app that puts dual joystick control on your Apple device's screen or universal remote (connected via headphone jack) for steering on an Android phone. Don't expect to squeeze hours of fun out of this little tchotchke, though, as its retractable USB port only gets you about 15 minutes of gee whizzery. Skip past the break to watch a video demo of the lil' guy en vivo.

Continue reading Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand

Desk Pets' TankBot rolls out with Android and iOS support, is the tiny racer in your hand originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Batman, Robin, Joker and Catwoman shrunken down to USB collectables

Sam Sheffer — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:29:00 EST

Do you like Batman? Robin? What about USB sticks? Well, thanks to Mimoco, you can have both in one awesome package. We spotted these newly released jump-drives at the International Toy Fair and we gotta say -- they're actually quite detailed in design. The flash drives will cost you a pretty penny if you want more storage -- a 2GB dongle is $20 while the 16GB version is $60. If you're a DC Comics junkie and think that the company has sold out, ask yourself this: why so serious?

Gallery: Visualized: Batman, Robin, Joker and Catwoman shrunken down to USB collectables

Batman, Robin, Joker and Catwoman shrunken down to USB collectables originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Desk Pets TankBot hands-on (video)

Sam Sheffer — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST

Although we've only gotten a glimpse of a TankBot as a render, we were more than interested to see this robot toy doing its thing in the real world. We spotted these tiny desk pals at the International Toy Fair and got to take a look at some working prototypes. As we reported earlier, the TankBots have three functioning modes -- autonomous, maze solving and iOS controlled. The bots feature LED eyes and two infrared transmitters -- that's how it solves the mazes. Charging is done by plugging in the USB dongle found on the rear of the tank and you'll get 15 minutes of battery life after a 30 minute charge. And if you're wondering how your iOS device will play with the TankBots, a free app will be available to download and each toy will come bundled with an infrared dongle. You can grab TankBots from stores for 20 bucks come June. Head past the break to see some cute, yet impressive maze-solving in action.

Gallery: Desk Pets TankBot hands-on

Continue reading Desk Pets TankBot hands-on (video)

Desk Pets TankBot hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fisher Price releases iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera, you'll thank 'em

Joanna Stern — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:43:00 EST

You know who you can count on to protect your technology? Fisher Price, that's who. We know, it sounds a bit crazy, but what other company out there is thinking about safeguarding your gadgets from those adorable yet greasy-handed kids? The company is kicking off Toy Fair with a few new gadgets that do just that, and first up, is that cute little Laugh & Learn iCan Play iPhone case up there. The $20 plastic enclosure stores any generation iPhone or iPod Touch and has a screen cover to protect your precious capacitive LCD from "dribbles and drool." Seriously, OtterBox has its work cut out -- the toy even has rattles and handles to entertain when mommy or daddy have to yank the phone out to make a call. And because looking at e-mails, texts, or apps could get bit boring for those three to 36-month-olds after awhile, Fisher is adding a few new Laugh & Learn apps to the App Store later this month.

What about the older kids, you ask? Well, they won't be interested in your brand new point-and-shoot when they've got a Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera of their own. Or at least that's what the company's hoping -- the plastic camera has a rotating 1.2 megapixel lens with a 4x zoom so kids can take pictures of themselves and then check it out on the 1.8-inch LCD screen. The shooter houses a SD card slot and is powered by four AA batteries. Sure, it doesn't have the latest and greatest specs, but what $70 camera do you know that can customize shots with "fun digital stamps"? We told you your gadgets would stay safe and sound. The iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough camera won't be available until this summer, but we've got the gallery of hands-on shots below so you can check 'em out earlier.

Gallery: Fisher Price iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera hands-on

Fisher Price releases iCan Play Case and Kid-Tough See Yourself Camera, you'll thank 'em originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 19:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame

Tim Stevens — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:57:00 EST

Top speed of 18mph, and a range of 15 miles? Charges in only two hours? No, this isn't the future of transportation we're talking about here, it's a toy. A toy from Audi, of all places. The company has created this electric-powered and half-scale recreation of an Auto Union Type C, grand prix racer of the late 1930s, and done it in e-tron guise, applying the moniker from its grown-up line of EVs, like the luscious e-tron Spyder. This one's intended for kids of all ages -- so long as they're shorter than 5'11'' -- and it will be on display at the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. At this point there's no mention of a plan to produce it nor a price if Audi did, but surely it's one of those "if you have to ask" things -- that body is entirely made of carbon fiber, and that stuff doesn't come cheap.

Gallery: Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study

Continue reading Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame

Audi Auto Union Type C e-tron study puts your pow-pow-Power Wheels to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hot Wheels Video Racer has a VGA camera under its hood, confirms that kids have it all

Joanna Stern — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:25:00 EST

Damn kids these days and their cool tech toys! We know we sound cranky, jealous, and old, but how are we supposed to react to Mattel's new Hot Wheels Video Racer? Yep, just as the headline reveals, everybody's favorite matchbox car is now home to a VGA video camera that can capture 30 to 60 frames per second and a .95-inch LCD that allows you to play back that recorded footage right on the belly of the tiny vehicle. While a short clip of the Video Racer flying off a self-made jump may be pretty awesome, Mattel will also include protective cases so those wild and crazy kids can mount the cam to a skateboard or helmet. Disappointingly, the small car only houses 512MB of storage, which can only hold 12 minutes of video, but at $60, Mattel also includes a rubberized mini USB to USB cord for connecting the cam to a Mac or PC and child-friendly editing software. The Video Racer won't actually peel out until the fall, but we managed to take a few shots of the little thing this week and nab some video of it while at CES. Hit the break for that video and start saving that allowance!

Gallery: Hot Wheels Video Racer hands-on

Continue reading Hot Wheels Video Racer has a VGA camera under its hood, confirms that kids have it all

Hot Wheels Video Racer has a VGA camera under its hood, confirms that kids have it all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VTech launches kid-friendly MobiGo handheld gaming system, Flip e-reader

Darren Murph — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:16:00 EST

You may be 32 36, but that's not to say that the kid in you is long gone. At this week's Toy Fair in New York City, VTech took a welcome step away from the landline handset department and tried its hand with a few swank toys. Up first is the $59.99 MobiGo (shown after the break), a handheld gaming system designed for minds within humans aged 3 to 7. Seen as a little tike's GameBoy, the device supports touch inputs and even features a QWERTY keyboard, both of which can be used to fish, color, draw, play on-screen instruments and generally enrich those malleable brain cells. Potentially more interesting, however, is the Flip; described as the planet's first children's animated e-reader, this $59.99 device has a 4.3-inch color touchscreen, a built-in dictionary and a QWERTY keyboard. Look out, Kindle!

Continue reading VTech launches kid-friendly MobiGo handheld gaming system, Flip e-reader

VTech launches kid-friendly MobiGo handheld gaming system, Flip e-reader originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Beamz laser instrument allows even the tone deaf to rock out for $199

Joanna Stern — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:53:00 EST

Truth be told, we weren't sure what to make of this laser harp-looking contraption when we saw it across the room at the International Toy Fair. Eloquently dubbed the Beamz Interactive Music System, it has six laser beam "strings" that when struck by a hand or finger produces one of 100 instrumental sounds. Here's the catch, though: the standing instrument must be connected to your PC via USB so that it can use its speakers. We think it's sort of a bummer that you have to be attached to your computer to rock, but the PC software (we're told Mac is on the way) lets you easily assign an instrument to the laser strings and also includes a variety of popular songs to jam along with. Though it's been around since 2008, Beamz seems to have wised up and lowered the original $600 pricetag to $199. We realize we could continue to describe this digital instrument in length, but we'd rather you just watch us "play it" and royally embarrass ourselves after the break.

Continue reading Beamz laser instrument allows even the tone deaf to rock out for $199

Beamz laser instrument allows even the tone deaf to rock out for $199 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Zibits mini remote control robots spin right 'round, baby

Joanna Stern — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:36:00 EST

We've seen plenty of toy robots at the International Toy Fair this week, but none quite have moves like Senario's Zibits. The salt and pepper shaker-sized bots, which will be available for $9.99 a piece at Toys R Us in March, come with a small AA battery powered remote that lets you drive the three wheeled little guy forward, but also spin him around in circles. Apparently these R/C toys are meant for eight to ten years olds, but us really mature adults are itching to buy a couple of these Zibit characters along with some Hexbugs, and stage the ultimate battle of $10 bots. Stop judging us and our Star Wars lunch box and watch the handheld bot in action after the break.

Gallery: Zibits Remote Control Robots hands-on

Continue reading Zibits mini remote control robots spin right 'round, baby

Zibits mini remote control robots spin right 'round, baby originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Building Bioloid Premium doesn't look easy, even if you do have $1,199 to do it

Joanna Stern — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:58:00 EST

Remember Bioloid? How could you forget, right? Well, we had the pleasure of meeting his more expensive brother and Avatar-inspired-sister Bioloid Premium at the New York Toy Fair. Meant for hobbyist robot builders, the kit comes with everything you need to build and program the plastic and metal humanoid, including Robotis' AX-12 servo actuator and 'C' programming software. But getting Bioloid to walk, run and dance to Lady Gaga is going to cost ya a whopping $1,199. That seems like a lot of dough for us non-robot builders, but this guy's heartwarming demeanor and balancing act almost has us forking it over. You'll see what we mean in the video just past the break.

Gallery: Bioloid Premium hands-on

Continue reading Building Bioloid Premium doesn't look easy, even if you do have $1,199 to do it

Building Bioloid Premium doesn't look easy, even if you do have $1,199 to do it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HexBug's robotic creatures are the creepy crawlers of the future

Joanna Stern — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:22:00 EST

Okay, so it isn't as artsy as making gooey bugs in a miniature oven, but HexBug's little micro-robotic tchotchkes are a good time in their own right. The digital entomologists at HexBugs decided to unleash the new Ant Micro and Nano Newton at New York City's Toy Fair, and for some peculiar reason we were quite enamored with watching these autonomous, high speed creatures run around the carpeted show floor. Powered by two button cell batteries, $11.99 Ant Micro has front and rear touch sensors that allow it to maneuver around objects in its path and it's hard, colored transparent exoskeleton casing was durable enough for the little guys to crash into a wooden plank and reverse course. The $9.99 tiny motor powered, 12-legged Nano Newton holds a special place in our heart, and the Jolly Rancher sized caterpillar vibrates uncontrollably and is able to flip itself over and walk forward. HexBugs will also sell different Habitat sets so the creatures can run around on their own without adult supervision. Luckily for you, these little guys weren't camera shy -- check the pics below!

Gallery: HexBugs Nano and Ant Micro

HexBug's robotic creatures are the creepy crawlers of the future originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Quasi robot melts hearts at Toy Fair, Interbots promises toy version soon

Joanna Stern — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:19:00 EST

You'd have to be heartless to walk by Interbots' Quasi and not crack a smile. Q, as we like to call him, isn't an autonomous bot, but instead everything from his facial expressions to his speech are controlled wirelessly via a tablet PC. As you can see in the video after the break, his master can change his eye color and arm / hand movements with just a touch of the stylus. So, why did Quasi, who was born at Carnegie Mellon in 2006, make an appearance at the 2010 Toy Fair? Interbots is planning to bring an affordable child-friendly version of the $80,000 bot to market by the end of the year, and the reps on hand told us that it'll even have similar puppeteering capabilities. Sounds like a potential nightmare for parents, but there's something about this guy that makes us sure about his future as much-adored, bona fide family member.

Gallery: Interbots Quasi robot

Continue reading Quasi robot melts hearts at Toy Fair, Interbots promises toy version soon

Quasi robot melts hearts at Toy Fair, Interbots promises toy version soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Tamagotchi renamed TamaTown Tama-Go, no change in amount of attention it requires

Joanna Stern — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:09:00 EST

That's right, grab the tissues and take some time to mourn the death of the Tamagotchi as we knew it. The guys at Bandai have gone and totally revamped the beloved virtual pet, giving it the new name of TamaTown Tama-Go to match that of the already existing Tamatown.com virtual world. Though there have been very minimal changes to the purpose of the toy -- you still have to remember to keep your little character well fed and rested -- the $20 pocketable keychain has morphed into an Easter egg shaped device with a slightly larger and higher contrast four-grayscale display. Why make a portable device larger than before? Well to accommodate attachable collectible figures, of course! Obviously sold separately, the $7 TamaTown figures attach to the top of the Tama-Go and are preloaded with two character specific games and goods. We understand that these sorts of changes are better processed in images (and dreams), so hit the gallery below for more miniscule figures than you can (probably) handle.

Gallery: Tamatown by Tamagotchi

Tamagotchi renamed TamaTown Tama-Go, no change in amount of attention it requires originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Barbie slides into the cubicle, becomes a computer software engineer

Joanna Stern — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:22:00 EST

It only took 126 career hops -- the first one being a soulless teen model -- for Barbie to land a job as a computer software engineer. All we know now is that she has a dual monitor setup and a picture of Ken at her cubicle. Oh, and she uses Linux on the world's smallest netbook.

Gallery: Computer Software Engineer Barbie

Barbie slides into the cubicle, becomes a computer software engineer originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Puppy Tweets will turn your Pooper into a world-class twitterer (Updated: with hands-on pictures!)

Tim Stevens — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:48:00 EST

If you thought the downfall of Twitter began when Oprah said it was the best thing ever, well, you're probably right, but this latest toy from Mattel won't help to improve the situation. It's called Puppy Tweets, a little clasp that hangs from your pooch's collar and detects what it's up to -- presumably making wild guesses based on accelerometer and microphone readings. It was announced last month and is being shown off at the NY Toy Fair, where Mattel is pledging it can detect 500 different activities and turn them into 140-character witticisms, like: "It's not the catching of the tail, it's the chase," and "Guess what I'm licking right now." Yep, a real product, and $30 will get you yours in either pink or blue.

Update: We had to check this thing out for ourselves at the Toy Fair today. Unfortunately, there wasn't a real pup on hand to demo, but we did confirm that this lightweight plastic collar can, as previously mentioned, tweet everything from licks to resulting carpet stains. Included in the box is a matching USB dongle which contains software that works with the collar to enable the Wi-Fi updates. It won't hit shelves until June, but check the gallery below.

Gallery: Mattel Puppy Tweets

Puppy Tweets will turn your Pooper into a world-class twitterer (Updated: with hands-on pictures!) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Jakks Pacific unveils EyeClops mini projector for the little ones

Laura June — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:05:00 EST

We see a ton of tiny little projectors these days around here. This one, by toymaker Jakks Pacific, is still pretty eye-catching, anyway. Expected to be on hand next week at the Toy Industry Association's annual International Toy Fair in New York, the EyeClops is obviously designed with children in mind, with a build similar to adult picos. We don't have full specs on this one yet, but it's capable of projecting a 70-inch images via its LED, and can be hooked up to all your child's favorite gadgets -- DVD players, digital cameras, and gaming consoles. The real kicker here is that the EyeClops is expected to sell for under $100 -- much less than most projectors for oldies.

[Via About Projectors]

Filed under: Displays

Jakks Pacific unveils EyeClops mini projector for the little ones originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Bandai at the International Toy Fair

Paul Miller — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST

While Mattel and VTech are doing their best to keep kids imaginative, or at least assimilate them into the gadget-filled world, Bandai's new creation lets kids "live the Tamagotchi life 24/7." Forget "edutainment" and prepare your child for life as a WoW gold farmer, heavy raider or professional ganker. The new Tamagotchi Connection V4 lets your child enjoy his or her virtual pet through every stage of virtual life, including going to school and choosing one of 15 careers -- and hopefully a few solid years in a retirement home telling anyone who will listen how when it was young, pixels were this high. The V4 will be followed by the V4.5 in the middle of the year, and both versions will let you take your pet online for more games to play and items to win, while offline you can communicate with your friends' Tamagotchis via IR.

Filed under: Gaming

Bandai at the International Toy Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VTech at the International Toy Fair

Paul Miller — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:01:00 EST

While Mattel might've been liberal with the digital sprinklings across its 2007 lineup, VTech is most decidedly going for those tech-toy dollars with every fiber of its being at the 2007 International Toy Fair. Lucky for the kids, VTech is stepping a bit outside its normal educational role with some more entertainment-oriented gadgetry. Most notable is the $100 VTech Gadget, a phone-like device which includes a digital camera, movie maker, MP3 player, FM radio, games and a TV plug. The big seller is voice and text messaging up to two miles away, and VTech was kind enough to include 256MB of memory to store all that media you child will be messing around with. VTech's other media unit is the $60 Kidizoom Camera (pictured above), which cops that two-eye design from Fisher-Price and can shoot digital photos and videos, with computer and TV hookups for playback and editing. But if you're set on your kids actually learning stuff, VTech still has you covered with its Whiz Kid Learning System, which purveys interactive reading and learning via its portable "Whiz Pad" and touch-sensitive stylus. VTech is also upgrading its V.Smile edutainment system, which includes a sing-along microphone and writing joystick for an odd sort of educational video game platform. What a freaking brilliant time to be a kid.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio, Portable Video

VTech at the International Toy Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Mattel at the International Toy Fair

Paul Miller — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:21:00 EST

Have no fear, worried parent, Mattel knows what's best for your kid. Riding high after a holiday season with T.M.X. Elmo and Barbie at the top of the most wanted list, Mattel is unveiling an incredible amount of toys at the American International Toy Fair 2007 in New York. Quite a few of those happen to be technology infused, which is only natural as your children attempt to keep up with the lil' Joneses. Notables include the Chat Divas Barbie Doll, which can plug into your iPod, bob to the music and talk on her fake cellphone; Pixel Chix Roomies, a sort of MTV's "The Real World" interactive game for dolls; Hot Wheels Maniacs vehicles with "a hilarious animated driver" stuck in an LCD windshield; Funkeys collectibles which unlock portions of a computer game which allows you earn coins and decorate your "crib" for friends to see; Easy Link Internet Launchpad, which plugs into your PC for internet and provides a safe and simple browsing experience for the kiddies; T.M.X. friends, with Ernie and Cookie Monster versions to keep Elmo company in the asylum; I Can Play Guitar System, a Guitar Hero-ish system designed to teach kids the guitar, not just make them think they can melt faces; and a Digital Arts & Crafts Studio which includes stylus for drawing on the computer. Other creations by Mattel include some Wii-esque one-off games designed to get your kids moving: Play TV MLB Baseball, Play TV Football 2, and the Smart Cycle stationary bike that lets pedal and steer through video games while burning those carbs.

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Mattel at the International Toy Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Feb 2007 02:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments